How I assess a HiFi system: My top 10 test tracks

Over the years, I have developed a method by which I can relatively quickly assess a HiFi system. By selecting a few recordings (which I play in a specific order), I can form the basis of an opinion. The recordings I have chosen are not necessarily super high quality, but are each selected for a specific purpose.
My tracks are:
1. Jackson Browne: Linda Paloma
open.spotify.c...
2. Willie Nelson: Little House on the hill
open.spotify.c...
3. Tracy Chapman: Mountain ‘O things
open.spotify.c...
4. Dianne Reeves: One for my baby
open.spotify.c...
5. Paul Simon: 50 ways to leave your lover
open.spotify.c...
6. Tom Jones: What good am I?
open.spotify.c...
BBC Interview: Tom Jones Interview with John Wilson on the BBC’s ‘Master Tapes’ series: www.bbc.co.uk/...
7. Harry Belafonte: Jamaican Farewell - Live
open.spotify.c...
8. Jos van Immerseel: Van Beethoven 4 Symphony No. 4. 1. Adagio - Allegro
open.spotify.c...
9. Peter Hurford: Paul Hindemith Organ Sonata no 1. 1937 (Phantasie)
open.spotify.c...
10. Howard Griffiths / Royal Phil: Max Bruch’s: Kol Nidrei
open.spotify.c...
Intro & outro music: ‘Philia’ taken from The Four Loves, by Stefan Meylaers:
open.spotify.c...
Equipment used in this video (where applicable):
Playback:
Loudspeakers: Pearl Acoustics SG
Preamplifier and Dac: Sugden Saphire DAP 800 / Topping Pre 90 / D90
Amplifier: Pearl Acoustics 170,
CD Player: Lyngdorf CD-2
Cables: Loudspeaker cables: Pearl Acoustics Sibelius Neutral Balance
Interconnects: AudioQuest (various)
Listening Room acoustic panels: GIK
Recording:
Sennheiser ME-2 lavalier microphone with XSW-D wireless kit, coupled to a Zoom H6 with MSH-6 capsule activated
About Pearl Acoustics:
Discover more about Pearl Acoustics, who we are, what we do and what we believe in: Pearl Acoustics website: pearlacoustics...
Our loudspeakers: pearlacoustics...
Email us: [e-mail]
Social media links: / pearlacoustics / pearl.acoustics

[@livemusic6527]

While most audiophile KZbin channels exist primarily for self-promotion, you use this channel to truly inform and educate. You, Harley, are a breath of fresh air. Thank you.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you very much indeed. Very kind.

[@SuperPierre972]

I really love their content too ! I get a lot out of it. Dont forget though that it is a speakers brand.

[@dannyfannyfoodle]

Hear here! Well said

[@PearlAcoustics]

@ 🙏

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

Our man Harley🫡💎🙏🏼👂🎵♾️🌎

[@7heuvelenloper]

I found your lecture about albums very intriguing. I spent the past year cleaning out my entire record collection and was very impressed with the results. That led me to install a new cartridge in my record player, after which I decided to purchase a new turntable. I kept the Ortofon Bronze and placed it on my new Project 2Xperience I became more and more impressed with what I heard now since purchasing my first album in 1974 I have now replaced the Ortofon Bronze with the Ortofon Black. As a real music freak, I have been watching, listening and thinking about what I could improve without incurring any costs. Now I have been able to insert my needle into what I consider to be the best possible SRA. The result is that a few months ago I started playing my entire collection again and I have a completely new listening experience. One of my gems is Joe Jackson's Night and Day. It goes too far for me to give details here as so much happens on this album. It is an excellently produced album and the mastering should not be overstated either. Bside this album there are ofcourse many other beautifull ones In my humble opinion, this album fits extremely wel in your story Kind regards and many thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@rcpdox11]

An elegant and erudite presentation as always. Such videos also introduce me to wonderful music that I have not heard before and that is great. My favorite track used to be 'You look good to me' from the album 'We get requests' by the Oscar Peterson Trio. The first 30-60 seconds have about 10 triangle hits and a bowed double bass that is splendid. Then the rest follows. A decade ago I realised I could not hear more than 4 triangle hits - degenerative hearing loss had set in. That is when I gave up such tests and began to truly enjoy the music - knowing well that my time for being delighted by music was dwindling faster than expected. It was a blessing in disguise indeed. 😊😊😊

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for sharing. I totally get where you are coming from.

[@rcpdox11]

I have a request for a future video. I would be grateful if you would choose to do so. KZbin audio is lossy and gets a bad rap. Yet there are some live concerts with outstanding sonics (at least to my deteriorating hearing). One such uploaded yesterday is the 80 minute divine bliss of an 80 year young Maria Joao Pires playing a selection of Mozart and Debussy at the Gilmore Piano Festival completely from memory. Outstanding performance and sonics and video. Why does this sound so good? Beats me.

[@PearlAcoustics]

@ I am a big fan of Maria Joao Pires! I will check out the concert you mention. 🙏

[@johnlocke_1]

Cool story bro 🙄

[@thomascole5693]

V interesting… but why do you care where a sound is positioned? I get that the voices and instruments need to be precise and well balanced but whether they are a bit left or right seems irrelevant.

[@alandonoghue5415]

This is fantastic! Finally someone showing me what I should be hearing from my system. Really appreciate the video! 🙏

[@PearlAcoustics]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks

[@phfen]

Another remarkable talk by Harley. And you even provide the links. How absolutely nice this is ! Will try these suggestions. Thank you !

[@PearlAcoustics]

Our pleasure!

[@joebloggs763]

The year of the cat. Al Stewart. The sax at the end just floats in mid air🎉

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@gaycha6589]

I love to hear the rasp in the reed during that passage.

[@RA-1965]

Also "Midas Shadow" from the same album - the organ from the mid-song solo should manifest itself in the room!

[@dawnpatrol700]

@@RA-1965 i use " song on the radio " from Time Passages

[@kevin1873]

This is also one of my favs along with Hotel California. I'm looking for a song with a wide range of frequencies and change going on.

[@LS-uw5on]

A metal head but an excellent test track for me is Shakespeare's sister, ' stay' from the soft voices to the deep bass to the dynamic start then the soaring voice at the end. A short track but filled with so much.

[@1zarathustra]

This was very educational. I listened to each track with my high end IEMs. I think people can get a big chunk of what you're talking about here with high end IEMs. A relatively "cheap" way to get into this hobby. Please consider doing a part 2 to this!

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏👍

[@michaelhastie7324]

I appreciate your personal music/selection & inclusion, which helps US Evaluate our systems May you have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏🎄

[@cesarvergara1]

Thank you Harley for your entertaining video! I had never heard “Linda Paloma” before, and I found it really interesting. Your description of the sound was so vivid that I paused the video to listen to it a couple of times before continuing. Personally, I’d add “Fragments of Time” by Daft Punk & Todd Edwards. It’s a warm, nostalgic track with smooth synths, rhythmic guitars, and melodic vocals-perfect for testing sound quality. Looking forward to your next video!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you! Sorry it took so long for me to respond! Thanks for the tip too!

[@bdhaliwal24]

I'm testing my system out using the playlist and have to agree with you. BTW, Harry Belafonte singing voice is the definition of smooth and just a joy to listen to

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Bellafonte at Carnegie hall is the best recorded vocal of all time imo

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@russelljackman1413]

Your last sentence of the outro, says it all: "Enjoy the music!" Thank you very much, sir!

[@PearlAcoustics]

You're welcome

[@adamant3844]

I can tell you really enjoy your bass in these test tracks. Me too. Never heard of 'Linda Paloma' by Jackson Browne until now. All I can say is WOW! I wish I'd heard it sooner. Sounds sublime on my Klipsch pro media 2.1's. Thanks Harley!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for listening

[@DAKILLAGORILLA]

I enjoy the way you express yourself in your descriptions. Fun watch

[@PearlAcoustics]

I appreciate that!

[@edwardheynes3880]

When you said "Linda Paloma" I smiled. Great track.

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@7heuvelenloper]

I found your lecture about albums very intriguing. I spent the past year cleaning out my entire record collection and was very impressed with the results. That led me to install a new cartridge in my record player, after which I decided to purchase a new turntable. I became more and more impressed with what I heard now and since purchasing my first album in 1974 I have replaced the Ortofon Bronze with the Ortofon Black. As a real music freak, I have been watching, listening and thinking about what I could improve without incurring any costs. Now I have been able to insert my needle into what I consider to be the best possible SRA. The result is that a few months ago I started playing my entire collection again and I have a completely new listening experience. One of my gems is Joe Jackson's Night and Day. It goes too far for me to give details here as so much happens on this album. It is an excellently produced album and the mastering can not be overstated either. In my humble opinion, this album fits your story perfectly

[@dennisng4627]

Thank you, Harley, for a wonderful & insightful discussion about the art of listening. I truly believe that in order for the audio industry to survive & thrive is to have people like you to give public talks about the virtues of good audio & its ability to enrich the listening experience. You have an exceptional ability to communicate the joy of musical reproduction to an audience of non audiophiles that’s absent in hi-end audios. I truly enjoyed all your videos. My favorite is The Beatle’s,”And I Love Her.” Just hearing George Harrison’s playing the classic guitar so vividly on my system is intoxicating. Scribed. ✌🏼& 🎼

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you. You’re very kind. I will have to listen to ‘and I love her’ again, it’s been a long, long while 🙏

[@SMAZVidoes]

Great words of wisdom. I will give these tracks a listen on my system. I am sure I will enjoy them. Thanks.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Please do! Thanks 🙏

[@snakeobias]

Nice, Jackson Browne at number 1. My mum would love this channel!

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@mals83]

Thanks for the video, cool selection of tracks! My test tracks for headphones are: Daft Punk - Lose Yourself To Dance Muse - Recess Moderat - No. 22 Radiohead - Reckoner Rage Against The Machine - Take The Power Back Sigur Ros - Svefn-g-englar Portishead - Roads Eagles - Hotel California (live on MTV)

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for sharing!

[@altwolfe14]

i’m still pretty new to this, but here are a few from my list: * alabaster deplume: sound of the foundling (soundstage depth; instrument separation; texture) * steel pulse: roller skates (imaging; soundstage) * o-zone percussion group: jazz variants (attack & decay; bass) * fink: trouble’s what you’re in (detail; texture) * tv on the radio: you could be love (vocal distortion - highs) * the clash: straight to hell (prat - does my body involuntarily start moving) looking forward to checking out all the other suggestions!

[@foodgeektv]

Thumbs up on the steel pulse

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@stephenbrickwood5148]

Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge and experience with some great content recommendations. Sadly with 40 years of working in noisy engineering environments, my ears are not what they used to be, but that said I have a very revealing system and usually if the vocals give me goosebumps and the recording is of good quality then there is not much to worry about generally speaking. We are all individuals with different tastes and preferences with what sounds good, as long as we enjoy what we are able to hear is the important thing. Bravo.

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re welcome

[@YusufPiskin]

An analysis has shown that a total of 13.325 billion videos have been uploaded to KZbin since 2006... Out of 14 billion videos, this is the only channel I breathe in, and I just discovered it... As a Tracy Chapman fan, "Mountain O'Things" is one of the songs I get lost in at least once a day. Many greetings from Turkey, Istanbul, maestro.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you very much for sharing your kind appreciation! Best wishes from Belgium

[@sobrevida157]

Thank you for introducing me to the Bruch.. just beautiful!

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re very welcome. Enjoy!

[@bbfoto7248]

@sobrevida157 There are some excellent Bruch recordings available on Hyperion Records U.K., and if you sign up on their website there are free monthly lossless sampler album downloads.

[@batautomat]

For 40 years my go-to tracks have been the first two tracks (the first is the intro to the second) of the Little Feat live album, “Waiting for Columbus”, 1. Join the Band and 2. Fat Man in the Bathtub, for many of the same reasons you use the Jackson Browne track.

[@dieterleonard2309]

Thank you so much for this selection. Hindemith and Bruch… what a revelation!❤

[@dominicwhiston6780]

Hindemith until now was unknown to me. Truly amazing.

[@ebreuseg]

Thank you Harley for your instructive explanation and the expertly chosen test tracks (fortunately not the "usual suspects"). To determine the multi-layeredness and resolution of an audio system, I think the song "Nevermind" by Leonard Cohen (from the album "Popular Problems") is useful. Leonard Cohen's characteristic voice is very much in the foreground throughout the song, above a simple bass rhythm. The voice is extremely close to the listener and fills the listening room. She sounds very natural, all nuances and inflections of Cohen's voice are audible. At 0'45" there are the first backing vocals. They form a separate, clearly separated musical layer, next to Cohen's voice. At 1'02" a third vocal element suddenly appears with a voice singing an Arabic text. For those who hear the song for the first time, this voice has a surprising effect, it almost comes from heaven and floats above the music. At 1'47" a new layer with string-like sounds begins very subtly. Finally, there is a hand drum that further supports the music from 3'41". This hand drum is also easy to follow and clearly separated from the rest. On a lower-performance system, these layers will be less audible and "Nevermind" may even sound like a fairly monotonous song.

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re welcome. Thanks for the tip. I will definitely give it a listen. Can’t wait!

[@AndrewWoodmansey]

Thanks Harley for your thoughtful and perceptive contributions to the audiophile community. My three 'test' tracks focus on whether a system can make an emotional connection between the music and the listener. 1) Arvo Pärt's 'These Words' from his Tractus album is hauntingly beautiful contemporary classical music featuring a limited but highly original combination of instruments from plucked violins to cellos to vibes to triangles and powerful kettle drums. It will test the dynamic range of any system. 2) "Hold On' by The Gas House Gang is barbershop quartet at its best. Its male vocal focus will challenge the mid-range capabilities of your speakers and make you wonder at the harmonic acrobatics of just four human voices. 3) 'Home Is' by Jacob Collier and Voces8 is a short choral piece that has a wonderful soundstage, excellent recording quality (where you can hear the singers breathing in as well as out) and a powerful entry of baritone choristers with kettle drum at about 3 minutes. Spine-tingling.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👌🙏

[@johnlocke_1]

Nobody asked you, though

[@eliasvalverde786]

Funkytown by Lips, Inc. It has great highs, lows, vocals, everything. A salesman played it when I was looking for a pair of speakers back in 1980 and the song convinced me to purchase the Genesis Phase II which I still use today.

[@kevin1873]

After watching this video I've learned that I wish i had 3 hears so I could hear a difference between what's also going on in the middle as well as what's going on on the left and right. hehe.

[@jake.]

Totos I will remember is always my go to, its as much a tool to listen to how much a room reflects and how good the low end sounds as its just a pleasure to listen to

[@patrickroragen1059]

Ahh yes. Good one

[@josepha.freivaldsr.9636]

Another delightful lesson. I enjoy listening to you as much as listening to music. Thank you for both the presentation and the education.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you kindly!

[@dkao5826]

Hotel California on the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over album. I listen for the hands on the bongos at the start, then the twang of the solo acoustic guitar, then how “Don Henley” does the solo voice sound, and finally how rich is the harmony when all the members of the band sing the chorus.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@rejean2744]

Right now, when I want to hear soundstage on my own system, I listen to Loggins & Messina "Angry Eyes" . Width, depth and separation, on that one.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

That's a great one

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@Justwantahover]

Hardly any replies to people's suggestions 😢 @ least you have two! Now three! 😂

[@AshleySmith-jv7em]

Good suggestion. Just heard it tonight. Great soundstage

[@sebastiandroguettpizarro9551]

Great song!

[@tharrytrusdell3235]

Great selection of songs. Really aporeciate your explanation or reasoning for using each track. Loved the Jones and Belefonte tracks as I never heard them before and was moved when listening to them besides the techical aspects.

[@cjpriustt]

They’re really great

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@jasonhart3936]

Prince’s One Nite Alone - Live album. For Piano and vocal texture listen to the piano section of the show (songs 6-16). A good system and Prince is in the room with you. You can hear every breath, foot stomp, finger click, hand clap…For bass and vocals Sam Cooke’s Lost and Lookin’ Thank you for the video. Beautifully curated selection of songs that guarantees a thorough road test of any Hifi.

[@TPQ1235]

Thank you Harley! I’ll add your tracks to the audition playlist I use. If I can only play one, the first track in my assessment list is “Now Playing” on the Bob Florence Limited Edition’s “Serendipity 18” album. I find it a good test of dynamic range, depth and placement of instruments in the soundstage, and the fidelity of the sound of the individual instruments. I look forward to your videos and appreciate the effort you put into each and every one of them.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏 you’re very kind

[@christopherward5065]

I loved hearing your approach to listening. Hearing how the system presents recordings is key. I like my system and you have given me a new way to check how it is presenting the recordings I present it with. I am using KEF Reference 103s and they are revealing in a way that I can hear what the system is doing upstream. I now know that preamplifier quality is key to catching those subtleties. Harmonics and layering of sounds are often lost by preamplifiers. Thanks! Try the Labèque Sisters’ Playing Gershwin’s piano duets. The two pianos interplay with each other and define the acoustic space. On lesser systems the internal contrasts are lost and it sounds like a wall of piano sound rather than two musicians performing in concert with each other and the acoustic they are in.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@philipgranger6918]

I like the song "Money" by Pink Floyd. From the album, "Dark side of the Moon. Starts off with the incredible stereo sound of a cash register and money going from speaker to speaker, then you get a great Bass pattern with Roger Waters (I think) voice in the imaginary center track followed by a great sax solo, and so on. Just a great test track for me.

[@geddylee501]

I'm such a fan of your speaker builds and ethos. I had a pair of TDL studio 0.5 speakers. I ripped out the driver and tweeter then replaced them with a single full range Jordan driver which fit perfectly. Huge improvement! Not that I've ever heard them, I'm sure your designs sound sublime. Regards.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@guystpierrecomposer]

I will for sure listen to those tracks, tank you! Some on my list: I was born to love you / Ray Lamontagne for the realism of the bass drum, acoustic guitar and his voice mid range sweetness. All of this placed very precisely in the soundstage. Then Berimbas / Renaud Garcia-Fons (live recording) for the richness of the shaker, attack and fullness of the bass and classical guitar. And Slouching towards Bethlehem / Joni Mitchell for the great dynamic, very low orchestral percussion, dense mix with lots of subtle textures and her voice emerging just slightly in front of this big orchestra. You need a very good system to discern all what’s happening in that mix’s very quiet beginning and stay composed on very loud passages with almost no compression.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Great list! 🙏

Thank you for sharing your list and explaining why you chose these tracks. I'm far from being audiophile myself, but with accepting the limits of living in a flat, I like to turn my system loud from time to time, when there's no one around. :) A pair of an old B&W DM603 S3s are more than enough to shake the room, and I really like how they sound. One of my favorite songs to listen to on my, or any system I "test", is "And It's Supposed To Be Love" by Ayo, from her "Joyful" album. It starts with a bright acoustic guitar and deep bass, so when it's loud enough you can feel the bass, not only hear it with your ears. A mandolin and a soft cymbal that comes in next are easy to overlook in a small smart speaker, or poor sound system. With Ayo's warm vocal, some bongos and (Hammond?) organ that joins later, the whole spectrum is covered, and that's why it's one of my favorite tracks I use for a "test drive". It's hard to describe what exactly I'm looking for when listening to this song, but when it sounds right, it's a joy to just close the eyes and dive into it.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you for sharing. That’s extremely well put. You’ve got me intrigued (I will listen to the track from Ayo this morning! 🙏

@@PearlAcoustics I hope you'll like it, and find it as interesting as I do. :) Enjoy.

[@captiveimage]

Very interesting, thank you. Always like listening to other peoples 'testers'. Got a few that I like to use: Nickel Creek: Out of the Woods [Great classical guitar] Infected Mushroom: Avratz [Big sound stage and crisp percussion of various flavours] Fleetwood Mac : Seven Wonders [The 'tick' of the stick on the high-hat cymbals within the first few seconds of play.] Thanks for reintroducing me to Tracey Chaman too. Haven't listened to her for a while. 🙂

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@naiground]

A very fine video, sensitive, sage and sane. Thank you. My goto track for a quick assessment of the noise floor of a system is the FrauContraBass cover of Fast Car. Full of subtle details in voice, bass and the recording room acoustic which a good system should reveal, more or less obviously depending on how good. If it’s nominally a good rack of kit with quality speakers in a halfway decent room and those details are missing then likely noise issues in power supply etc need to be considered. Do give the track a go and thanks again.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏👌

[@sylvaindupuis5595]

I'm far from being an expert or have great ears but I like to listen to The Moon on the album Verse by Patricia Barber. It's well recorded and you can hear the placement of the diffrent instrument, the space between them and the voice seems to have lots of space around. PS: The whole album is superb and well worth a good listening.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@robertj1701]

Agree with you on Barber’s performance. Good choice. Lori Lieberman - Truly…

[@jamesj590]

Thank you so much, I am thoroughly enjoying this album.

[@peterhebbinckuys9184]

Bedankt Harley om jouw ervaringen en passie met ons te delen. Thaks Harley for sharing your experiences and you passion with us. I will, for sure, listen to your suggested tracks from time to time on different systems to experience how they can be used to evaluate their qualities. A track that I often end with is a soundtrack song but performed by a classical orchestra. The song starts quietly and because it triggers you to quickly raise the volume, it becomes a challenge to keep your system on the same volume because of the big dynamic scale. The placement or imaging is also remarkable. I hope you can enjoy: “Dead’s man chest” from The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra And Choir - Music From The Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@pwcincy]

Glad I found this channel! I don’t really test my system per se, but I have enjoyed “technically” listening to Van Morrison’s “Moondance”. Each of the various instruments gets its own solo in either the left or right channel. But I like to focus on the opposite channel to see what the complementary instruments are doing.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Welcome aboard!

[@tobyrisk3773]

I really enjoy your videos Harley, they make me remember why I started on my hifi journey over 30 years ago. My listening suggestion would be Suzanne Vega's Wooden Horse from her Solitude Standing album. The sharp percussion, deep bass lines, guitar melodies and Suzanne's exquisite voice are incredibly intimate. On the right system It's like the whole band is sitting at the end of your bed, performing just for you.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for sharing! I will check it out!

[@rupertatterburythomas6493]

Great selection of test tracks to take for a spin. Three wildly alternative test picks - trials for timing, bass response, colour, and detail: Moloko, Absent Minded Friends (everything); Jamiroquai, Where Do We Go From Here (bass, drums, percussion, + trumpet organ bridge); lastly, De La Soul, I. C. Y'all (for that deep fruity bass that few systems ever replicate).

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@carlwood4240]

A very useful, wonderfully delivered piece as usual :) amused to hear one of yours is also one of mine, Tracy C, another of mine is also Paul Simon, but I prefer Armistice Day. I love the different guitars and playing styles along with his voice and all the nuances going on behind it all.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Many thanks!

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@Justwantahover]

Baila Nova "Insensatez" Lounge Sessons. The BEST recording I ever heard! 😮😮😮😮😮

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@TheRealSnakePlisken]

She is beautiful….and I am only hearing her voice.

[@zippo-john]

Great video, I have a few tracks - normally an assortment of Fleetwood Mac (Never going back again, silver spings etc) - more the vocals and instruments to test if my system is too bright (also have this on DVD-Audio which is amazing). Some other tracks that I like are Led Zepplin Black Dog for a chaotic song to see if I can diseminate the sounds and then my absoulte favourite is a song I have listened to for over 20 years on a host of systems (which makes it so familar) and thats DireStraits Sultans of Swing.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@JurgenKraus-calgary]

Hi, here some tracks I rely on...but mainly for testing "personal audio". The Housemartins - Build (remastered; from “Soup”, 2007): bass extension in the first 20 seconds and cymbals timbre all through the track. Basia - Matteo (from “Butterflies”, 2018): bass extension in the first 10 seconds, bass line and and vocals reproduction thereafter. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (from “Rumours”, 1975): bass quantity/attack/decay, vocals timbre/definition/intimacy, cymbals/transients, depth of soundstage. The Smiths - Frankly, Mr. Shankly (from “The Queen Is Dead”, 2017 Remaster): bass attack and decay, transients, degree of vocals recession. Guitar at 0:37 is a reliable “shoutiness” meter. The Ed Palermo Big Band - Laurie Frink (from “A Lousy Day In Harlem”, 2019): brightness, transients, treble, resolution in complex instrumentations. Good indicator of top-end roll off. Astrud Gilberto - Corcovado (from “Verve Jazz Masters 9”, 1994): transients, separation, soundstage, treble quality, and the ability to cry because of such beauty. Cowboy Junkies - I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (from “The Trinity Sessions”, 2017 Remaster): three-dimensionality of soundstage, vocals, transients in this binaural recording. Frank Sinatra - Nice ‘N’ Easy (2020 Mix) (from “Nice ‘N’ Easy”, 2020 Mix): width of soundstage, vocals reproduction in an older but excellent recording. Roxy Music - Avalon (from “Avalon”, Dolby Headphone version): soundstage, spatial cues, fullness/richness of vocals, detail resolution. Hildegard Knef - Herr Kalecke an der Ecke (from “17 Millimeter”, 1999): (bass) temperature, vocal intimacy and definition, timbre. Great temperature indicator. Heinz Rudolf Kunze & Herman van Veen - In aller Herren Länder (from “Ich bin”, 2012): separation of the two voices. The King’s Singers - After The Gold Rush (from “Music From Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service”, 2019): reproduction of multiple male voices. Steven Isserlis, Dénes Várjon - Chopin Cello Sonata in G minor, Op 65 - 4: Finale: Allegro (from “Chopin: Cello Sonata; Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata”, 2017): timbre, note weight, bass realism, transients, separation, layering. Cello is a good indicator of timbre and natural dynamics. Beethoven - Septet In E Flat, Op. 20 - 5. Scherzo (from” Septet In E Flat, Sextet In E Flat” By The Gaudier Ensemble”, 1991): imaging, timbre, reproduction of brass instruments. Louis Spohr - Nonet in F, Op.31 - 1. Allegro (from “Spohr: Octet and Nonet” by the Gaudier Ensemble, 1991): timbre of orchestral instruments, layering and instrument separation, (micro) detail, treble extension, instrument placement and soundstage. Anne Sophie Mutter, John Williams - Luke And Leia & Yoda’s Theme (from “Across The Stars”, 2019): treble and treble resolution, timbre. Joe Bonamassa - Boogie With Stu (from “British Blues Explosion Live”, 2018): drum attack/impact, soundstage, separation. and a few more...

[@PearlAcoustics]

Some very nice selections there. 🙏

[@JurgenKraus-calgary]

@@PearlAcoustics I listened to your whole list, Harley. The problem: for example, Dianne Reeves is so superbly recorded that it even more than impressed me using even budget earphones. Tom Jones and Tracy Chapman are similarly impressive. When I purchased my first CD player in the late 1980s, we auditioned it with Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms" album. In the 1990s, many Hifi stores played Diana Krall's album "Love Scenes". ANY equipment sounds great with all of the above. The real challenge came with the Hindemith and Immerseel. Wow, too, but it really challenged the driver speed of my final Audio VR3000 in ears. Apart from all that, thank you for the great music advice. I already had the Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, and even Cycles by Basta! on my list...from your earlier videos.

[@PearlAcoustics]

@ you’re welcome 👍🙏

[@cunawarit]

Thank you once again for another insightful and engaging video. Your channel consistently stands out as both educational and refreshingly pragmatic, which is a welcome contrast to much of the Hi-Fi content on KZbin. I’d love to hear your thoughts on headphones in a future video. My current setup and listening environment are far from ideal, as I don’t have the luxury of a dedicated listening room, even though I’ve managed to put together a multiroom setup at home. As a result, I rely heavily on headphones for most of my listening. Over time, I’ve curated a collection to suit different scenarios: closed-back headphones for when others are at home, open-back headphones for those rare, peaceful moments, noise-canceling headphones for travel, and IEMs for when I’m out in the city and want to avoid drawing too much attention-especially with my Bose headphones. It would be fantastic to hear your perspective on headphones for various use cases and occasions. Thanks also for sharing the track list-I’m looking forward to giving it a listen!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for your comment. Did you see my headphones vs loudspeakers video? It may not have the level of detail you need but it might help a bit. Our brains sometimes need re-programming. For listening to music through loudspeakers, I find two channel best.

[@cunawarit]

@PearlAcoustics I did see that video 😃 thanks for the response.

[@Maxim_Startsev]

Many thanks for this list. I will try to find all these tracks and listen to them under your comments.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Enjoy!

[@mosfet500]

Great, thanks Harley. One of my favorite tracks is Natalie Cole singing "Unforgettable" (album of the same name) with her father dubbed in. The richness of his voice, and hers, and where they show up on the soundstage, for me voices tell so much of the story. Another one is Christie McVie singing "Songbird". Also I'm very sensitive to violins in orchestral works where intermodulation distortion can be so telling. I also want to thank you for your Max Bruch Symphony 1 piece. I never listened to him much before that but recently heard his Scottish Fantasies played by Rachel Barton Pine and it blew me away. I had to stop what I was doing and just sit down and listen to it completely - simply wonderful!

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@PA30000]

Fun to listen to each track before each description:)

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@ALEX-wl9jd]

Thank you. My favorite Track for more than 30 years is Charly Antolini - Knock out. For the Voice I use a RCA Best of Harry Belafonte and for Bass and more classical Instruments Igorrr - Spiritualty and Distortion.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for sharing

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Thanks for the list with explanation of what you listen for. To answer your question, I start with the album/CD or stream of Who’s Next by the Who and the 1st track, Baba O’Riley. I Know how the different instruments are added to the song one at a time including a violin at the end. Another is Money for Nothing by Dire Straits to hear the sound build for dynamics. Lastly, The Missing Piece by Peder of Ugglas for soundscape and placing instruments in space. Do I hear breadth and width beyond the speakers? II also find it’s important to have a dimly lit room, which mine is, so I’m critically listening and not visually distracted. This is a fun part of this hobby.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi, you’re very welcome. Thanks too for sharing your assessment tracks. I totally agree with you that listening in a darkened room, helps the concentration!

[@pjono77]

My go to track is Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings. I know this track so so well. Great video again Harley.

[@steverees1936]

Great track 😁

[@PearlAcoustics]

Cool, thanks!

[@Brio-ko8lf]

My 2 cents is The first 2 tracks on Steely Dan’s Gaucho album!!! The Robert Ludwig mastered pressing!! So much going on Goes right into your soul!!!

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@Justwantahover]

"Aint No Sunshine" cover by meira! It's great detail while having less silibance for how good the detail is. The bashed snare is amazing! And great cello sound towards the end.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@JohnGallagher-qb4zf]

Great video! I always enjoy hearing what other people use to assess systems, and what they listen for in each track when assessing. My current go-to track is Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos, from A Piano, The Collection.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏👍

[@stevenhoward3358]

Great track, there's a lot of depth in that piano

[@markorchard2272]

Hi Harley. Love your informational videos!! Sans promotional messages. I have 3 ‘go to’ tracks. Cassandra Wilson - ‘Redbone’ of her ‘Blue light ’til Dawn’ album (for instrument placement) Agnes Obel - ‘Myopia’ for instrument separation and tonal range The Who - ‘The Real Me’ from Quadrophenia for Bass/Dynamics

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@dddtriple]

Sara Bareilles "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (Live from Atlanta). You are literally sitting on stage with Sara and her electric piano, plus the live audience and hall reverbs.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@squiggy8110]

One of my favorite albums. Come round soon gives me goosebumps on a good system.

[@gsbass1037]

Thanks for asking. My test tracks are Dominic Miller - London Paris Cardiff and Bob James Live - Niles A Head. First track I listen for the clarity and snap of the strings. The second track I listened for the realistic sound of the piano and kick drum. The track for vocal is Mary Wells - You Beat Me To The Punch. The lead vocal and background singers are separated, clear and crisp.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍👌

[@RonnieGibson]

Dominic Miller… thank you!

[@charliewheadon8433]

Absolutely brilliant choice's

[@robertrudd6970]

I use John Klemmer’s “Touch”. Also, Boston’s “More than a feeling” Heart’s “Magic Man” . The Door’s “Break on through to the other side” and “Light my fire”. Madonna’s “Ray of light”. The Beatles The End” and Come together”. And lastly, Yo-yo Ma’s playing Bach’s “Unaccompanied Cello”.

[@chrispdx5755]

Day of the Dead: Black Muddy River (Bruce Hornsby) … the whole song is a gem, but the first ~30 seconds are a great test of a system’s ability to render harmonic distortion 🤩

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀🙏

[@smaganas]

Listen to your three favorite songs because those will be the one you will by playing over and over

[@squiggy8110]

Been going through some of these between my usual main speakers, which are Thiel CS 2.3 and my bedroom system that features a pair of Polk L100s. The guitar on the Tracy Chapman track really highlights how much better the Thiel speakers are. Almost nonexistent on the Polk (which are very highly regarded speakers). I definitely wouldn’t have picked up on that without your help selecting the right test track. Thanks.

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re welcome! Loudspeaker design is always a balance between being too bright and detailed and not bright enough. Studio monitors tend to be in the very detailed side, so it’s quite possible (for engineers with young ears to have heard it very clearly in the studio) but at home in some domestic situations it becomes hard to detect.

[@FriendM2010]

Greetings from SoCal, USA. Class of ‘76. Just the video I was hoping to find. Sir, you must have been a Professor in a past life or this life? Like your effective way of communicating, que cards to ensure you stay on track. Thank you for taking the tIme to make this video and share. Cheers! 🥳🤓🤘

[@PearlAcoustics]

Wow, thanks!🙏

[@ashokakb6907]

What students need is real play comparing with loudspeakers amplifiers and explaining every second of listening tutorial.

[@foldspacenavigator6011]

Thank you! I sometimes use The Smiles first Album, Micheal Kiwanuka’s 19’ release, tracks from Catarina Barbiere, David Gilmour’s latest and, Black Sabbath’s first.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@carlpaulsen3996]

Sarah Mclachlan, the song I Love You on the Surfacing album. The first three notes are somewhere around 36Hz. You may not (probablly won't) hear them but in any case you should feel them as much as hear them. If you don't, your system isn't full range. Even if you do, it still may not be fullrange. Similarly the song Kiss the Sun by Ellis Paul has occasional notes that go deep. Not sure of the frequency but it's similar. I probably have others (e.g. I think Mercy Street by Peter Gabriel on So to listen for the swell of the low end after a few minutes).

[@mbizozo6271]

Bob Marley’s & The Wailers - War / No More Trouble (Live at the Rainbow Theatre, 06/04/77) is my go to.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@Scopolamine46]

Friday night in San Francisco… “Mediterranean Sundance”. Al DiMeola picking on metal strings and Paco de Lucía using his fingernails to play fusion flamenco. I listen for the differences and sound of the bodies of the guitars and the sound of the strings and the precision interplay which gets quite complex over the nine or 10 minutes of this piece. Brian Bromberg “Wood”. This is an ultimate late 1600’s AA Bass” played by a master who does not get enough recognition. listen to the sound of this instrument Which will come across as totally astounding with harmonic richness. Even down to the bottom end. Antonio Sanchez “3 x 3”, an incredible drum recording which you can hear every little detail of every piece of his kit along with the rest of his group. Any recording on the MapleShade label for its simplicity of recording and purity of voices and instruments with all the harmonics present. The new MoFi release on vinyl of Santana, Caravanserai for every little detail that you can imagine in this uniquely incredible recording. Eagles, “Long Road Out of Eden”, “No More Walks in the Woods” for image specificity of this acappella piece by the four main 0:15 0:15 members in the group. Jane Monheit “Come Dream With Me“, “A Case of You” for the absolute mastery of the female voice. I love this song more than the composer Joni Mitchell. And finally the 1936 wire recording remaster of Pablo Casals playing the Bach cello suites. The instrument and his reading of these pieces is beyond compare and every detail coming out of this cello is beyond belief.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Wonderfully eclectic selection 🙏

[@alanstewart7802]

I'm not a huge fan of Simply Red (my wife is) but "Sad Old Red" from their first album is my go-to track. It's a brilliant recording and really tests a system.

[@HHLoveMyFam]

My go-to track is "The closer I get to you" by Luther Vandross and Beyoncé. The bass and vocals are so smooth!

[@carlhayes-ze5nd]

Can’t wait to try out these tracks!

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@Rohan-w2m5t]

Peppery man, by Natalie Merchant, is a great track to test sound stage, vocal and instrumental separation and the dynamic range of male and female vocals. I’d recommend anything by Natalie Merchant, consistent high quality recordings.

[@franctube]

Yes, Natalie Merchant is 👌🏼 “When They Ring the Golden Bells” from Ophelia - second half of the song from 4:30 is breathtaking instrumental 👍🏼

[@jimmy7287]

I always begin with Stan Ridgway's 'Mosquitos', track 2, ''Lonely Town''. If it sounds ALMOST like it's a touch too bright on the shaker, and ALMOST a tad too boomy with the upright bass, but then you decide it the track still lives on the edge of acceptability, then you've got a great start. The harmonica comes in on the right, allowing you to be sure your speakers are on the correct side. When the vocal comes in @ 0:41, Stan should be clearly defineable in the middle; you should be able to close your eyes, and absolutely ''see'' him standing in the middle, singing out of the corner of his mouth. If Stan's not absolutely 'the guy in the middle', your speakers are likely too far apart. 'Mosquitos' (1987?) is a tremendous album, start to finish, sonically, performance-wise, and really great songs!!! You really should pick it up!

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@marckroll9544]

I stopped and listened to ‘Linda Paloma’, which I have not heard before. It’s a perfect test song, and challenging. Funny choosing Diane Reeves and Paul Simon, who I worked with as well as Tom Jones. This is awesome.😊

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for your comment! Very curious to learn more!

[@Robert-r4s4c]

I use one record to demonstrate my system to others and to see what changes to the sound when replacing certain equipment. The Record i use was recorded in 1960 by Audio Fidelity Records, USA "Percussive Vaudeville - the BIG theatrical sound - Doctored for super stereo".. This recording is like no other. I don't know how they achieved this in 1960, but i have never heard any other record in the last 60 years to match the fidelity dynamic range, sound stage width and depth of this LP.

[@magicmulder]

My #1 track for almost 40 years has been Paul Simon's "Graceland". It's a great test for sibilance when he goes "the Mississippi delta was shining like a national guitar", the bass needs to be dry but not thin, and if I don't get goosebumps when he gets to "she said losing love is like a window in your heart", I know the gear just isn't for me. Also, using this track every time means I can actually compare gear that I can't compare in place because I still remember how this sounded on an Infinity IRS in the 80s or on a Linn LP12 in the 90s. Your Willie Nelson song is a great one too. Personally I've used Ry Cooder's "Third Base, Dodger Stadium" a lot in recent years.

[@cjpriustt]

Graceland has been used by Stereophile reviewers for that long too. Also Cat Stevens and Eagles.

[@franctube]

I think “Graceland” is so underrated. It’s undulation and clarity is amazing. On my list too. 👍🏼

[@m_sherzod]

Thanks for the video. I am new to this hobby, and have settled on a following setup for now: Streamer/Dac - Wiim Ultra Integrated Amp - Musical Fidelity M3Si Speakers - Buchardt P300 I will listen to all the mentioned tracks via Deezer in max quality and hope my system does not disappoint.)))

[@PearlAcoustics]

Good luck! I am sure it will be fine. Enjoy.

[@m_sherzod]

@ thanks for the response. Just for future, where do you think is the bottleneck of my system, I mean a future path for improvement?

[@gregmoore1661]

Thanks for sharing these. I've always enjoyed the 1st track of Lindsay Buckingham's Out of the Cradle album. It has an instrumental intro that used to be a separate track, which they've now combined into "Don't Look Down" ... but the up front guitar intro is about a minute in length, and is for me an incredible bit of single-instrument detail that really showcases the upper mids and treble. Also enjoy Bach's Fugue in G Minor on Organ, but there is a performance by Alessandro De Lucci - BWV 578, 'Little Fugue' on piano where you can hear him breathing in a few places, as well as some other background noise that somehow contributes to the realism without be overly distracting. Finally, on Paul Simon's Graceland album, the intro and first 2:30 or so of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes is a go-to track for me to showcase a range of different detail, range, instrument separation and soundstage. Lots of back and forth between the R and L channels with some different things going on, particularly at the 2:15 mark.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@melesmeles1953]

Tuning large scale PA systems for a living, I use “Turn your lights down low” by Bob Marley and the Wailers. There’s just so much going on in that one. And the recording is pristine.

[@cjpriustt]

Great song for hard hitting PA systems

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@baaning]

Really apriciate your sharing testtracks with comments. It helps us followers develop listening skills and add good music to the collection. I have manymany test tracks, but here are few of my most used: 1. Diana Krall, A case of you, on 'Live in Paris'. In the beginning you hear and sense the room and the people in it caughing and moving around. Then listen to the tones of the grand piano and its mechanic noises. And then listen to the very close take on Dianas slightly harsh voice. Everything shall be pinponted in the soundstage and super detailed without being sharp or tirering. 2. Oscars Motettkör, O Helga Natt, on 'Cantate Domino'. Everything on this album from 1976 is fantastic, but O Helga Natt combines solo, choir and organ in an overwhelming experience. It shall sound open, real and be very moving. The christmas version of 'Jazz at the Pawnshop'. 3. Boz Scaggs, Thanks to you, on 'Dig'. This can sound dry and the bass be undefined and muddy. If the system is capable there will be a discrete airyness opening the sound and the bass will play very deep and dry. You should feel the air moving in the room. 4. Allan Taylor, The beat Hotel, on 'Hotels and Dreamers'. Wide and deep soundstage with a lot of clarity. Can easily sound 'glassy' but is very satisfying if treble is well mannered. 5. Townes Van Zandt, If I Needed you, on 'Live at the old Quarter, Houson, Texas. You shall be in the room with him and feel the pain. 6. Mike Sheridan, Stilhed, on 'I syv sind'. This electronic piece shall envelop you and take you to a 3-dimensional world of sounds popping out from the black space. Try to listen in total darkness:-) 7. Infected Mushroom, I'm the supervisor, on 'I'm the supervisor'. This agressive Dance-music is not what I usually listend to, but this piece is really well produced and have a lot going on. Shall be played very loud. If your system is up to it the bass will punch you hard in the stomach and crazy detailled action will blow your brain out and leave you grinning and deaf. Otherwise it can be harsh and awfull. Short about my system: I stream from Qobus wireless to Auralic Aries G2 streamer which connects through proprietary 'Lightning Link' to Auralic Vega G2 Dac/preamp which via balanced Anticables drive a pair of active ATC SCM50. Power from Anzus cables and strip. Room 35m2 well dampened with carpets and lots of shelves with books. Now I'll dive into all the music proposed by all you lovely hifi-nerds - have fun.

[@johnlightfoot9967]

Having listened to the video and also the tracks has convinced me that I am not an Audiophile but a music lover. I can listen to 2 of your recommended and enjoy them, I never listen to tracks just to enjoy a 10 second clip of an allegedly good piece. If I go to a Hifi shop to assess a piece of equipment I use Sam Cardon & Kurt Bestor Innovators Album.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@nautje]

I can tell you what I did the last time I assessed a system. Started with the opening three tracks of Sufjan Stevens' 'Illinois' album, focusing on the level of detail and soundstage. Can I make out all the different instruments in the increasingly busy arrangements? How are the dynamics in the final build before track three starts? How is the system handling the start stop nature of the third track? That is usually enough to get a general idea, because I know the music so well. Then I did Fear Factory's 'Shock' to judge attack and low end and lastly I went with 'Take Five' by The Dave Brubeck Quartet to see how that would hold up, especially the drum solo. After that I just thought I'd enjoy myself with some music I like to listen to at home, stuff that I would be most likely to put on on a daily basis at the moment, so I did Fontaines D.C. 'In The Modern World' and 'Here's the Thing', and De La Soul's 'Oodles of O's' just to see if they would draw me in like I'm used to.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@CanonPanasonic-ProUser]

I recently bought a test vinyl from Pioneer i owned during the '70s. Great to hear Greensleeves again. Testing my ears on a audio sweep generator (20-20kHz) and I have to admit my ears are not that good as 50 years ago. At 8kHz my hearing drops down. Clean my ears dayly or weekly. Probably waisted my ears in decades before on Pioneer SE 305. I fix many vintage audio devices made in the '70 and later. Bring them as far as good to the state when they left the assembly line. Recap of power supply and amplifier section, equalizer, loudspeaker crossfilters, belts and pinchroller. Protect high end amplifier inside by adding copper shield against high frequency from smart phone devices. (Me, former technician SonyNL 1983-2010).

[@espendanielhagenolsen7945]

Very nice video with a lot to learn, again! I don’t change equipment so often but when I do, I use records that I like and know well. Few of them are «audiophile», some are nevertheless dynamic recordings and pressings. Some tracks I used when I changed cartridge five weeks or so ago: Dawes - Things Happen Matthew Sweet - I’ll Be Waiting Wilco - Impossible Germany Real Estate - Water Underground Fleet Foxes - Third of May/Odaigahara Gillian Welch - The Way It Goes Spiritualized - I Think I’m In Love The High Llamas - The Sun Beats Down

[@alfovebraseth]

Thanks, absolutely brilliant. A good deal of those tracks can only "shine" on full range speakers without phase-detoriating crossovers. Might I suggest i) "Tin Pan Ally - Steve Ray Vaughn", it should play without excessive boomy bass, voice-guitar for a large scene with clear snappy drum, ii) "Bird on a Wire -Jennifer Warnes". This should layer and precisely positioning all the different instruments, not overshadowing her voice. But you know what to listen for, best regards fullrange DIY-er

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you. (I often double check systems with Tin Pan Alley, especially on vinyl

[@violin-schwerin]

a great list well explained, thank you!

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@patrickalbert]

Hi Harley, Thanks for this other very useful video. I will answer your question about what I listen to, not only for assessing a system, but also to have fun and admire the talent of some artists. I’ll mention only three tracks: - live version of « Vesoul », a Jacques Brel song that is very well known amongst people who enjoy « la chanson française ». This is a very wonky version that takes a lot of freedom from the original. It is a firework of percussions at times, then some tricky voice stretches and when the whole band comes in, the rhythm is so convincing that I find myself tapping my feet or rocking my chair without noticing at first. This version is from the album « Wende Chante ! »; she recorded other versions on other albums, but they are a pale copy of the live one. - version of « Four Women » on her album « Black Orchid ». Her voice is beautiful, the musical accompaniment is subtle, which is a good way to assess detail, and the lyrics are just powerful. - « The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation » from his « Requiem - Five Anthems » album with the Turtle Creek Chorale and the Women’s Chorus of Dallas. This was recorded in a large hall or church and the feeling of space is particularly present. There is also a large organ that often in the background, sometimes with very deep notes that just gently reach to one’s spine. Plus, the mix of women’s and men’s voices is a pleasure to listen to. Sorry, this post is a bit long, but any music enthusiast will understand… ;- ) Thanks again. I’m looking forward to discovering some of your other great videos. Best regards, Patrick

[@PearlAcoustics]

These sound great Patrick. I am listening to Four Women, while writing this - it’s absolutely great. 👍

[@dawnpatrol700]

Try Queens " my baby does me". When the guitar comes in, its ike its floating in the air.

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@naturalverities]

I have a DIY actively multiamped 4-way system with the 4th order crossover between midbass and midrange horns placed at 600hz, in the critical fundamental range of many instruments and voices, which obviously has to be got right! Also, working with horns, harshness can be a problem. Two tracks I favor for evaluating these are 1) Birds by Richard Galliano (feat. Gonzalo Rubalcaba), in which rich piano and sweet accordion cross the bass-mid frontier constantly, and any level and/or timbral imbalances between drivers are readily heard; 2) Song of the Stars by Dead Can Dance, which has piercing female vocals that can sear, and, conversely, sharp percussion that can be dulled, if both are not nearly perfectly reproduced.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks very much for these very interesting and useful suggestions.

[@petewhy]

Thanks Harley, a very interesting and helpful episode. A track I often use in demos is Small Hours from the album One World by John Martyn. It was recorded outside by a lake, and I use the track to see if a system can transport me to the location and create a sense of the place. Does it convey the sense of open space, the subtle sounds of the birds on the lake and even a post train passing in the distance.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@frankfanacht1838]

Dear Harley, thanks for this interesting Video. A few Tracks you mentioned i knew quite well, Like Tracy Chapman and Paul Simon. The Others I will try the next days. First Song I hear, when I try new speakers is from Ulla Meinecke, die Tänzerin. Very minimalistic, only a highhat, electric Organ and Ullas voice. All very dynamic. And a really good recording! A direct Metal mastering. Try the original LP: Ulla Meinecke wenn schon nicht für immer dann wenigstens für ewig. Side B has a good Cover of "fifty ways" , named 50 Tips!! A really good Album, you should try. Greetings from Frank in Stuttgart.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍👌

[@muctop17]

👍💥💯