test songs are important heres my 5 best

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Audiophiles always play a 3 piece jazz ensemble that is recorded really well. I always say cool, but that will sound great on a $50 Bluetooth speaker, play some challenging music. They always throw the system an underarm pitch so it can whack it out of the park, it's like testing a 4wd on a nice flat road. Its almost as if they're hiding the systems weaknesses and don't want to expose it by playing something that will highlight it.

[@chuckmaddison2924]

Should play Rammstien that should give the System absolute shit.

[@actualadviceaudio]

Agree I try to steer clear

[@christravis8288]

My test song is Natural Mystic by Bob Marley. The bass builds as the track fades in and there's a lot of percussion. It's a great song for testing harsh highs or flabby lows. There's also a lead guitar throughout that is naturally on the trebley side, on the wrong equipment it sets my teeth on edge.

[@Jonc25]

Pink Floyd wise I quite like High Hopes, the sound of the bee flying around and the piano to name just a couple is a test for any system.

[@smallspendor]

Walk on the Wild Side? The girl singers appear to come out of the speakers and make their way almost up to my ear. Striking, when I first heard that. The bass sounds on the first track on “Kind of Blue” gives a good indication of bass naturalness on my loudspeakers.

[@TorontoJon]

Yes, both of those tracks are ones I use as test tracks on headphones and speakers. :)

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Yeah Transformer always surprise me

[@slowpawstevet3676]

Some of my favourite test records for clarity, depth, soundstage and sheer enjoyment include - Band on the Run - Wings, Electric Warrior (T Rex), Metallica Justice and Black albums and any early Dire Straits or Supertramp, Beatles Abbey Road. A real test is also well recorded piano music will sound like a grand piano on a well balanced system but sound like a toy honky tonk on a mis-matched one.

[@stereoreviewx]

electric warrior killer production

[@WalterDavidRiffmon]

Thanks! I've heard another reviewer put out test song suggestions but the list was exhaustive and exhausting to try to find! You gave five which is a lot less daunting. Less can be more!

[@StormwatchGR]

Great video Kelvin. Mine is Tull's "Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of a New Day". The Steven Wilson remix from WarChild (The 40th Anniversary Theatre Edition). Starts with just Ian's voice and acoustic guitar and then a ton of instruments is added one after one. And what a lovely song too...

[@claeswahlin4127]

At least I and my friends here in Sweden knew 'Hit me with my rhythm stick' well.

[@Timoeltejano]

Here in the US we are and were familiar with Ian Dury and the Blockheads. "Sex And Drugs And Rock & Roll" was the biggest hit here. Great suggestions for test songs

[@martinhannover1139]

Hello Kelvin, always a pleasure to listen to you. Very good test recordings! I have seen Ian D. here live in Hannover accompanied with around 500 british soldiers from Celle. I would like to suggest to you Willy deVille Miracle- Willy with the Dire Straits in a wonderful recording. Take what you get-vinyl or CD. It is rare to get. Spanish Jack or Southern Politician are my fav. br from Hannover-Martin

[@TheSoundrookie]

Great choice of tracks, but there's also great tracks for testing in modern music. Especially in the bass area, where for instance bass sweeps in DNB tracks clearly tell how linear and deep your system goes. Comes in pretty handy when looking for a good all round speaker. Some will call it music for power speakers, and they'll be right, but it's also good for revealing what more refined speakers can deliver. Most people have to stick to one set of speakers, and if they listen to a variety of genres, there's nothing more annoying than bass curves, and bass simply disappearing at some point. A good all rounder may not deliver a sound pressure you feel, but it should still be able to reproduce lower frequencies to a satisfying degree. So besides the awesome tracks you mention, I'll recommend throwing in some DNB tracks, and also some really good classical recordings. Stay awesome Mate. All the best from Denmark.

[@robdw42]

Smooth Operator - Sade.

[@iansteel5569]

I use Steely Dan ' Ricky don't lose that number' and Dire Straights 'Thats the way to do it'.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Steely Dan and Dire Straits are meticulous with their mixing and editing. Also Alan Parsons Project is also very meticulous with their mixing and editing.

[@Cartier_specialist]

You meant Money for Nothing, right?

[@stereoreviewx]

i gotta say i think thats unrevealing steely dan sound great on coming out of a matchbox dont know how they do it

[@JukeboxAlley]

IGY, new frontier, many many other tracks by Steely Dan/Donald Fagen , and yes dire straits money for nothin (great kickdrum), your latest trick and you and your friend are very good. Ride across the river as well is very good

[@ロクアンドロルしかない]

The main difference in live vocal performance recordings comes from using a dynamic microphone rather than a studio condenser and then of course the PA feeding back a little and then the mobile recording unit.

[@alexseaford4029]

Just had great fun listening to these recommendations, most if which I knew except Ms Krall, what a voice! Many thanks.

[@JoFreddieRevDr]

My go to track to test the sound stage is "Tristan's Magic Garden" on Sky 2, on a good system you can pinpoint the position of each part of his set up.

[@ロクアンドロルしかない]

In Australia Hit me with your Rhythm Stick was a hit, I was doing second last year of High School at that time and was under the guidance of a fellow student who was taking guitar lessons who told me Kiss are excrement and introduced me to more complex music starting with The Song Remains the Same Led Zeppelin Live original LP in headphones, some other dude invited me to listen to the entire Wish you Were Here Album on the floor of his bedroom on what would now be a vintage Denon Hi-Fi separates system, upon hearing Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick “das is gut ich Lieber dich “ which I understood because my Father was German it was obvious, even through the television speakers of the top of the pops tv show of the time which was either Countdown or an American one because we got some from them too, that the musicians were pros and tight, and what stood out to me not only the funky rhythm of the intro, but the guitar solo at the end was pretty cool.

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah is full of quirky licks cheers K

[@mikedrew8615]

David Crosby, If I could only remember my name, is an epic album.. The sound, jeopardy. Also a forgotten classic. Portishead, dummy. Stunning Radiohead. Ok computer. Crazy good Hawkwind, in search of space. Is just cosmic. Free, tons of sobs. The absolute best. All will test you set up to the max ❤️❤️❤️

[@mrnobodyz]

I think the DavidCrosby was a popular test disc because it’s an album that doesn’t suffer bad set ups… each track sounds like it was as recorded in a different studio, maybe!?!

[@earlfenwick]

Do It Yourself! A favorite. The only of Ian's albums I ever owned. Inbetweenies. Such a sneaky sexy album. 😅

[@BehindthesafetyofLinux]

My system passed all these tests with flying colors. Even with youtube compression. The girls in the last one were kind of terrifying, it sounded like they were standing just in front of me like they were literally in the room. It startled me. Equipment: DAC: Benchmark DAC3 HGC Amps: Crestron CNAMPEX 16X60 with all amp cards in bridge mode and modified output board. (Mains) Dual Crown XLi 2500 in bridge mode (Subs) Mains: Custom built bi-amped 4th order L-R three way towers LCY 110 ribbon (Tweeter) HiVi F6 (Mid-range) Dayton Audio RS270-8 (Woofer) Powered Subs: Pair of custom built AudioTechnology 15E1022510 Crossed over with Behringer CX3400 active crossover.

[@jeffn1384]

Why on earth would you play the KZbin version. 😮

[@stereoreviewx]

kit sounds great thks for sharing K

[@BehindthesafetyofLinux]

@@jeffn1384 It was easier than using Qobuz to to grab a couple songs in flac and like you said too, if you can resolve the worst quality input, it is just a better test of the system. The pink floyd songs I already had in WAV format.

[@mrkitewine7700]

I think it’s important to acknowledge the difference between a test song and a demo song. A demo song typically sounds great and is used to impress your friends. A test song is used “test” the system, to check for flaws, what it can and can’t do well.

[@Jonc25]

Curtis Mayfield. Loving the Henry Gibson bongos. Will have a listen to some of your suggestions this afternoon.

[@Drackleyrva]

Great video! Speaking of '70s R&B and orchestras, try 'Papa was a Rolling Stone' by The Temptations (Full version). Amazing at almost 12 mins long.

[@Retro_Analog]

Masterpiece is another great song by The Temptations ‼️💯

[@stereoreviewx]

monster

[@Timoeltejano]

One i use is Lyle Lovett "You Can't Resist It" live from Texas. There is a lengthy cello solo that hits really high and low

[@stereoreviewx]

gonna try it

[@TorontoJon]

9:25 I use Lou Reed's 'Walk on the Wild Side' too for Lou's voice, of course, but specifically for those vibrating guitar strings at the beginning and naturally, for those amazing female backup singers coming in and out of frame during various points of the song. It's absolute perfection. :)

[@H____enry]

Solid down-to-earth advice as usual. Will be using this list!

[@bananabrooks3836]

Albums: Durys 'Do it Yourself' from the same era but much less played into the ground than 'Rhthym Stick'. Vangelis 'The friends of Mr Cairo'. Rush 'Moving Pictures'.

[@stevezeidman7224]

Kelvin, interesting group of songs. Please tell us about the dacs you’ve been listening to. It’s worth a video.

[@danielshafransky3379]

Hit me with your rhythm stick was a hit back in the day on the west coast of Canada

[@nhilltiger]

Australia as well

[@storm-sf5rj]

ELP From the Begining - Dire Straits Private Investigations - Pink Floyd Two Suns in the Sunset - Steley Span Come Ye all by France - Vangelis Conquest of Paradise - Joe Satriani The Extreimist to name just a few

[@bluebuddha74]

I agree that it’s important to test tracks that are poorly recorded in addition to your favorites. My test tracks are Debris by the Faces (how an acoustic guitar should sound), Squonk by Genesis, Sunny by Pat Martino on his Live! And Children of Sanchez by Chuck Mangione for Orchestral.

[@alessandrograldi4334]

One of my favorite test music is Live and Let Die Soundtrack by George Martin, very articulated orchestra and the main song it's mixed with electric instruments, human voice and orchestra so very complex and revealing, another super test piece to me it's Ottorino Respighi - I Pini di Roma, Powerful, full orchestra with gorgeous brasses and strings, very deep kettledrums, it puts every system in the baddest or best situation, than to say a third one very different: Pharaoah Sanders - Pharaoah, intimate, delicate and with very thin details that if i don't hear i'm not happy

[@jeanpacaud835]

For the sound stage - Birds by Dominique Fils-Aimé - Nice vocal track with good base

[@taskyprianou]

My five: I Don't Mind - Joy Crookes (bass and ASMR feels) Seigfried - Frank Ocean (space and airiness) He Needs Me - Nina Simone (space, airiness and feeling of venue) Give Me Love - Cerrone (all round loveliness) It'll Never Happen Again - Lady Blackbird (just yummy) Thanks for all your help and advice. Great channel.

[@deepcuts2]

My definate go to track for audio test is 'One Time' by King Crimson from the 'Thrak' album. Superior Recording with the full range of dynamics. This track will test any Hi-Fi component or system.

[@MostlyBuicks]

Oh hell yeah! Very tasty.

[@corneliusantonius3108]

David Bowie with the song "Sound and Vision"

[@ibleedswede]

Anything off low is good test music.

[@stereoreviewx]

i use bowie quite a lot mostly cos its great and his voice is what im listening to K

[@fchampd4512]

St James infirmary - Louis Armstrong

[@jameshutton5979]

Pink Floyd, Dark Side Of The Moon, On The Run is great for speaker positioning and toe-in.

[@ロクアンドロルしかない]

Also Diana Krall, (transcript makes it Diana Crow 😅) but yeah ex-wife bought a cd of the composer Bacharach or Hal Leonard or both, but I ripped the CD and still have the audio file, that has The Look Of Love, I think that’s actually the name of the compilation album too, but yeah superb test for vocal as would be any of the Dionne Warick songs on the same album SAN Hose and Anyone Who Had a Heart for example, and Walk on By actually, would give a good tonal test.

[@sportp9612]

Cheers Kelvin, listening to Back Stabbers right now..Qobuz to Bluesound Node to HH Scott 222c to AR3as…you are spot on.

[@stevenhoward3358]

Yello - Takla Makan Radiohead - Everything In Its Right Place Thomas Dolby - I Scare Myself Icehouse - Hey Little Girl Joan Osbourne - St Teresa

[@kiddcapri1711]

I think most of is have some rock or jazz we use to test/gauge a system. If anyone is interested here is a couple of electronic albums I use to push the boundaries of a system (I know they're never really messy, but can be fun). For sheer bass, bass weight and low end authority/control... Infected mushroom, Im the supervisor. Any tracks but tracks 1 and 3 stand out. For clarity and to gauge the size of the soundstage. Tychonaut, The Tyco brahe again any tracks but tracks 1 & 4 stand out.

[@halvach1998]

Downloaded these songs & played them as I followed the vid. Interestingly, 'Hit Me' (popular in NZ when released) seemed to have too little bass, so I was pleasently surprised when Herbie Flowers came though loud & clear... must have done something right when I built that system!

[@spacehopper77]

The two tracks I use to test are Nolan Porter - If I Can Only Be Sure and Terry Callier - Dancing Girl.

[@mjunsw]

Sunday afternoons are the best. Not all are equally great, but Stereo Review X videos are a massive bonus 😊

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

Some good suggestions here! My own is not a song, it is the album Made in Japan (Deep Purple). Partly because I have been playing it since it was released (1971!) so I have heard it on every system I have ever owned, and some I haven't, but also because on the right gear it sounds so 'live'. Something about 'airiness' that is easily missed. It does lack piano though and I agree that is a real test!

[@fchampd4512]

72*

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

I knew I should have checked! ​@@fchampd4512

[@D1N02]

Added all five to my sound check playlist. Now it exceeds 75 tracks. For busy sound I like to put on Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On (Live (2004/Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles)) [feat. Jerry Lee Lewis, Kid Rock, Keith Richards & Merle Haggard] Willie Nelson Very busy, lots going on and can become unlistenabe pretty quickly.

[@marcparsons1726]

Diana Krall The Look of Love. Will expose a bad DAC. Walter Egan Magnet and Steal is a nice one.

[@stefpichette7742]

You shoulg get your hans on a Wiim ultra dac streamer preamp and test it fot us Thanks for the great reviews

[@bananabrooks3836]

Yes, please review digital to analogue in price ranges, people are wanting to keep their old systems with the convenience of streamers.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Oops I forgot one other test song. Neil Young "Old Man" live from Massey Hall 1971 version. His acoustic guitar sounds so robust and the youth of his voice is readily apparent.

[@martyw]

Hit me was a hit on the other side of the North Sea as well in NL. Great song!

[@davidzoller9617]

Hit me with your rhythm stick is very famous, featured also quite often in movies. Probably Ian Dury's 2nd famous song.

[@filipliekens351]

hey Kelvin did you check the Kenwood integreted amps from 70-76 the are made by the engineers that later created Accu-phase, i got a kenwood KA6004 and wel i really like it, could you do a revieuw on one of those? thanks a lot for the valuable information Kelvin, greets Filip

[@72vespa]

FYI, Herbie Flowers recorded an upright (acoustic) AND an electric bass on Walk On The Wild Side tune .....

[@stereoreviewx]

you thing they are both o the final track ?

[@JukeboxAlley]

Ray LaMontagne-born to love you (magical great track, can tell alot about the vocal potential/weakness of the speakers) Boz skaggs-thanks to you (great low end, smooth) Emerson Lake and Palmer-from the beginning (great in general) Freya Ridings-lost without you (just her and the piano version, testing vocals, ambience and reverb, its a truly moving track) Haevn-the sea (full orchestra, very great testing track and good in general) Bb king and eric clapton-3 o clock blues (perfect) Phil collins-ALOT of tracks, rain down on me, easy lover, feel it comin in the air tonight for drums and bass Boney james- butter, and alot of other tracks (very smooth recordings and great saxophone player) Billy ocean-carribean queen (one of the best sax solos for me, and great bass playing) Bob james trio-feel like makin live, angela theme from taxi, and alot of his old tracks from when he was with the band fourplay, montreal, wish you were here (perfect) Rick braun-notorious (perfect trumpet player along with cindy bradley) Beegie Adair trio-any of it is perfect Simply Red-holding back the years-perfect song Carpenters/karen carpenter- rainy days and mondays, almost anything with her, she was perfection. A few fun modern tracks bonus- Cannons-bad dream and hurricane, and footateps in the dark Tanerelle-dream Midnight-lost boy, days of thunder, fire in the sky etc. Roosevelt-montreal Mr. Kitty-afterdark Angus and julia stone-big jetplane FKJ- die with a smile, tadow Could name a few more thousand but ill leave you guys with these for now! These are all great gems and some for testing, some for the soul! Enjoy!

[@TorontoJon]

A couple of years ago, I actually created a playlist on my KZbin channel titled "JON'S TEST MUSIC FOR HEADPHONES AND SPEAKERS" which includes tracks like: - 'The End' by The Doors which has great stereo separation, warm bass presence, Jim Morrison's vocals, cool instrumentations, excellent drum work, etc. - 'Can't Help Falling In Love' sung by Elvis for his amazing full, warm, dead-centre vocals and backup singers, excellent instrumentation, etc. It sounds like he's right there singing in one's living room or media room. - 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley for his vocal work, a nice punchy beat, etc. and his official video that uses Rorschach test imagery (symmetrical ink blot patterns) is sheer genius and still holds up well today. - 'Spirit in the Sky' by Norman Greenbaum for his grinding electric guitar work, great vocals and backup singers, foot-tapping beat, and psychedelic instrumentations. It's a classic. - 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald' by Gordon Lightfoot for its musical purity, Gord's haunting voice, the guitar work, etc. and the rest of his album 'Summertime Dream' is listed on the 2018 TAS Super List (TAS stands for The Absolute Sound magazine) for its outstanding natural sound quality. - 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole for his voice-luck-butter performance and the recording is so great that he sounds like he's performing in one's living room or media room. One can almost feel his presence. It's terrific. - 'Hallelujah' and 'First We Take Manhattan' by Leonard Cohen for his amazing vocal resonance and full-sounding instrumentations or synth accompaniment. - 'Blue Velvet' as sung by Lana Del Rey for her full sultry voice. The overall sound of this track is very rich and full. - 'Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.' by Simon & Garfunkel for its perfect stereo separation with Art Garfunkel in the left speaker and Paul Simon in the right speaker. It's great for focusing on Paul Simon's guitar work and the sound is pure, crisp, and clean, but warm and not clinical. 'Sound of Silence' and 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' are also excellent test tracks. - 'The Wizard' by Uriah Heep is excellent for its vocals, guitar work, and music that builds. - 'Ice Dance', a track from Tim Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands' composed by Danny Elfman which is an excellent orchestral track with subtle, vulnerable-sounding instrumentation indicative of snow falling and the choral singers add a very ethereal touch. - 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' main title composed by James Horner for a very dazzling, rich, and full orchestral performance. There are many more tracks I use by various artists, bands, composers, etc. and different genres. :)

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

This is a great list, thanks 😊

[@TorontoJon]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596, my pleasure. Enjoy those tracks. :)

[@stereoreviewx]

like them K

[@noblesavage23]

heard rhythm stick quite a bit in L.A. back in the day

[@Iamloveingawareness]

Some nice choices with valid listening points there Kelvin 👍Have to agree 100% about the older poor recordings to test any system. Strongest test for sure. Try "I'm On My Way (Live)" by Mahalia Jackson: She's banging out those vocals on a bad recording with background noise: How muddy are the bass notes on the piano? Is there good separation between the vocals and the piano? How much top extension on her voice? How distorted do those power vocals sound when they peak? Very telling on a system. If you can get that song to sound good then you're at the end of the Hi-Fi rainbow 💫

[@stereoreviewx]

try tonight K

[@TomMallett-n7x]

I think that the London Phase 4 stereo of the Musiic of Spain is absolutely wonderful for testing my system.

[@russellparker4568]

Can’t beat Brubeck - Take five. The sax needs to sound as if it’s in a large space, the drum rolls at the beginning are a tricky one to get to come through well, just the space and size of the drum kit and impact of the room they are playing in.

[@TorontoJon]

Yes, 'Take Five' is definitely one of my test tracks too. I even added it to a test CD-R to take with me to thrift stores when testing audio equipment there. :)

[@Crumbleofborg]

Nice selection. I think the main thing is to use a track that you know really well. See if you end up enjoying the music instead of listening to the system. Apart from that, I often put on the Yes Album track, "Yours is no disgrace". There's a lot going on in that but I listen specifically to two things: does the organ sound get a bit lost behind everything else? And how accurate and consistent is the walking bass line in the quiet central section! Also I'll put some solo piano piece on, e.g. Mussorgsky's Pictures. A lot of systems I've had don't do piano realistically, with either too much sparkle, heavy bass or (back in the day) wow and flutter.

[@stereoreviewx]

yes piano is maybe second to the human voice cheers K

[@SuperMcgenius]

Great list, Hit me was not a huge hit in north America. I loved it, but this is from an old punk. regarding Pink Floyd welcome to the machine, when I sold Audio in New York City in the 1970s the difference between playing at 50 watt amp and a 200 watt amp was not subtle even at 93 dB levels. At home I was rocking on a pair of IMF TLS, 50s with a phase linear 400 with some modifications😅. Being a proper audio file back then demanded you doubled up your 16 gauge lamp cord😊

[@TheEnrieb]

I like to use John Carpenters main theme from Prince Of Darkness.

[@DarrenRogers-r3u]

Great video again Kelvin, Talk talk colour of spring an absolute gem on vinyl so much going on!

[@stereoreviewx]

wiil try it K

[@Terry-ed1pi]

That Ian dury song is very bass heavy. Love it

[@Cartier_specialist]

Alanis Morissette "All I Really Want" before the song officially begins on a really fine system you should be able to hear Alanis inhale right before the harmonica begins. Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" at the beginning of the song on a fine system the high pitched note from the electronic keyboard note should come in from the high left side like a laser beam. Avril Lavigne Sk8er Boi around the minute and a half mark if you have great bass response you should hear what sounds like an earthquake coming from the left side. Joan Osborne "Right Hand Man" quality of female vocals.

[@benpatana7664]

My 5 favourite test tracks: 1. Macy Gray: I Try on the album Stripped. Listen for air, soundstage, voice quality and articulation. 2. Captain and Tenille: Do That to Me One More Time on Make your Move. Tenille's voice can be etchy and harsh on a less than stellar system as it was a fairly bright late 70s recording. 3. The Can: Brighton 75 Eins: The ultimate bass testing track - great because the bass was live, real bass, not pumped up synthetic bass. 4. Martin Denny: Firecracker on Quiet Village. Full of ridiculous sounds from right across the sounstage, left, right, front and back. 5 Khatchaturian: Adagio from Spartacus, [aka Onedin Line Theme] (numerous recordings available). Full orchestral, highly dynamic. Lesser systems can't cope!

[@HarmenElzinga]

can i suggest a speaker to try , the jamo concert 2 wel build , sound great cheap to buy

[@dbert5963111]

great video kelvin. as of late , i would try King Crimson (level five). it's a very busy piece of music. your speakers might need some time off to heal! greetings from ct. USA.

[@stereoreviewx]

will try it tks K

[@Jonc25]

Wow, that piano in Diana Krall. Think you are correct about the microphone was picking up a lot of coughing in the audience. Good choices. Thanks.

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah that piano player kills

[@Spock105]

I scare myself - Thomas Dolby Cowboys and Angels - George Michael Soundchaser - Yes Arkansas coal - Lee Hazelwood & Nancy Sinatra I'm a fool to love you - Billie Holiday The carnival is over - Dead Can Dance Real & Defined Androgens - Annette Peacock Deacon Blues - Steely Dan Trilogy - ELP Alta Noite - Marisa Monte and so many more .....hard to choose

[@jozefserf2024]

Equipment is often tailored to its intended audience. Eg Bose sounds wonderful on easy listening, light classical etc but not so good on rock. There's nothing out there that sounds great playing back all genres. A good all rounder is a probably sensible compromise - Harbeth, Splendor, Graham, Falcon etc

[@nickaustin8334]

Live vocals and studio vocals use completely different types of microphone. If a live recording has sweet vocals, they're doing well!

[@sosonic12000]

We’ve all a few of those Judas’s our lives Mr K… The O’Jays defo knew the score 🤣🙌 Is it worth a lil’ shout on impedance ohms , efficiency db, power - watts, sensitivity….matching amp to speakers… 🤔

[@goydivision]

I listened to Thriller, produced by Quincy Jones on a good turntable setup when I was 13 . In a bit of a heap at the time , was great medicine.

[@fchampd4512]

Cant find a single MJ song that sounds good :( always wondered if Quincy had some hearing issues

[@TheRoby1kenobi]

When I Fall in Love from Inside out Keith Jarrett. Top test track. It has everything I need to judge in 5 min an hi-fi system, including nicely recorded applause, so difficult to reproduce. If you don't like jazz or classical, Private investigation Dire straits, nice to hear also the walking and shoe rumour entering and turning.

[@stereoreviewx]

yes audience applause is revealing K

[@andrehendrik]

for deep bass against a backdrop of shimmering guitars type presentation I listen to Idjut Boys "Another Bird"

[@itisjustacomment]

Who else is playing the songs as he says them?

[@thomasalexand]

I've got them all on cd except Krall's A Case of You, which is a Joni Mitchell song from her album Blue.

[@anoksf216]

Ha! Yes!

[@billywindsock9597]

Papa Hobo, Paul Simon Hospital Food, Eels En Gallop, Joanna Newsome Aqualung, Jethro Tull Come Together, The Beatles.

[@mrnobodyz]

Set Up records Iike make no Beatles, around Revolver period before over dub mania took hold. If I can get mono to sound wide and deep like stereo then I know I’m doing okay, I have some island 12”s that really stretch my system especially the Steel Pulse ‘Prediction’ 12”, I think they inspired Bob Marley with their mixed sound.

[@Brownguy342]

Oddly mine is Don’t Fear The Reaper by Blue Ouster Cult. I just know how I want it to sound.

[@stereoreviewx]

i think thats a good one too ..... revealing of shortcummings

[@thejoojooman6538]

My hi-fi/speaker testing tracks; Dust - Van Hunt Speed Demon - Michael Jackson Birdland - Quincy Jones Killing In The Name Of - Rage Against The Machine She Kissed Me - Terence Trent D'arby Cadillac - The Original 7ven Free - Graham Central Station Superstition - Stevie Wonder Free/Sail On - Chanté Moore Don't Let Go - Leisure Centre I Like The World - Cameo Express Yo Zelf - Corey Glover ...& I have more!

[@gordthor5351]

I'm a fan of Diana Krall too. Even live her voice is not one bit harsh. Unless, a cheap DAC or preamp puts it's own harshness into the signal, which will be amplified. From my experience it's not worth buying a DAC under $400, because this tends to be where DACs become half decent, but not great. At about $1000-$1500 DACs start to sound almost like analog, but not quite. When I first heard the Holo May DAC I wanted to buy one, because it sounded perfectly analog, without the shortcomings. Then I looked up the price ($5000) and realized my dream DAC will not lead the way in my system. I'm still pretty happy with my VMV D1 DAC ($1300 on sale) which is very close to sounding analog in my high end system. However, it might not sound so great in a lesser system that can't passthrough the high level of detail without making it harsh sounding. Nothing stands alone in a chain. Any weak link will cause problems for the whole chain. In audio there are 4 basic links to the chain; source (DAC), pre-amp, amp and speakers. If the DAC has problems, those problems will only get amplified, literally.

[@stereoreviewx]

good info thanks `K

[@malcolmmitchell8538]

Prodigal blues by Billy Idol is my go to, give it a listen 👍🏻😎

[@XENONEZZ2]

Just been listening to ''Case of You'' what a wonderful song but have you any idea why it should sound ''better'' on KZbin (warmer and more organic) than when I listen to it using Tidal (a touch more sibilant)....?.

[@stereoreviewx]

yes i can beleive that you tube is taming the sibilance i guess withh less detail ? and its not detrimental to song as theres not much else going on

[@XENONEZZ2]

Interesting that absolute clarity might not always equal absolute listening pleasure.

[@WilliamODonnell-t1u]

Ability of a piece of gear to handle older poor quality recordings is clearly important. But, I would suggest adding a more modern recording or two to your evaluation list. My experience is that some modern (digitally recorded, engineered and mastered) recordings can sound somewhat “congested” on the “warmish” soundings rigs that can make older/poor recordings sound better.

[@stereoreviewx]

interesting thanks `k

[@rabit818]

Speaking of glockenspiel, I need to explore Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick was a surprise. Love Ian Dury in college eons ago and thousands of miles away from the UK. I will add Donna Summer’s electronic masterpiece I Feel Love.

[@stereoreviewx]

i feel love im a big fan

[@PaulChadwick-s7b]

Nice one Kelvin I would add 10cc The original Soundtrack most tracks also The Alan Parsons Project Tales of mystery and Imagination Fall of the house of Usher.Thanks for a thought provoking video yet again.

[@stereoreviewx]

yeay 10 cc allways interesting

[@johnlightfoot9967]

For me it is just one album. Innovators by Sam Cardon and Kurt Bester.

[@wesleyhendricks4219]

The Greatest Show On Earth - Borderline Odd choice I know 😅

[@anonimushbosh]

All I can think about now is how to find that one piano note at the Grand Canyon thing! Is that a real video or just a mad thing you dreamt up?!

[@stereoreviewx]

i bet somones done it K

[@tenorman57]

My top 5 test tunes are: Too High, Stevie Wonder. Liberty, Anette Askvik. Hello like before, Jose James. Gypsy, Uriah Heep and for headphones, Wild and Peaceful. Kool and the Gang. Give them a try, guarenteed to give your system a good workout.

[@stereoreviewx]

too high is a fave of mine too

[@ロクアンドロルしかない]

Thought I might as well link this as well, this is Tycho Green, drums have a very unique rhythm and delayed guitars are swirling all over the place Tycho Green kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3TahI2LZ76UopIsi=9lFg82Clq6vV_ACE

[@markfischer3626]

These are all different from the last time you posted your five favorites. If you went back and tested the speakers with your new test songs would you get the same opinions as with your old test songs? I've listened to the old ones and meh, not that much of a challenge. Now with your test tracks you probably have to go out and buy these discs and if you don't like them, you're stuck with them. But today we have downloads and they are very good IMO. Certainly good enough for testing. And they're all on KZbin and they are free. I'm even going to link them for you. This is not the kind of music most audiophiles listen to. Actually audiophiles don't listen to recordings of music, they use recordings to listen to equipment. 😂and as a rule they're never happy always looking for something better. Their latest treasure is hardly out of the box before they're shopping for something to replace it with. So here's the kind of music I presume most of you don't like so that you can ignore the music and listen to which way your sound system craps out.🤣 Now this first selection is going to test your system to its limits. Don't be surprised if it just doesn't do this recording justice. Turn the volumed UP. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIHHlnqmibuXotU If your subwoofers are good enough this should rattle your windows and make the fillings in your teeth fall out. The human voice singing pop music can range from "get me outta here, I can't stand that screech to that's pleasant. Okay if I hear it in an elevator or supermarket but nothing to write home about. On the other hand, there are people who have a gifted voice that can range from extremely pleasant like Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, and Karen Carpenter to the equivalent of of a Stradivarius violin through both a gift of nature and a lifetime dedicated to perfecting it with a great deal of receiving teaching about music, voice coaching, and endless practice. Here is one such voice. No words in this music, just a great voice and a beautiful melody, one of many this composer wrote. This should sound like acoustic velvet with no strain whatsoever. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIiZZGOwe6Zsabs Now this is for all of you bassheads. Test your subs down to the lowest octave. Two versions, the one we're familiar with and the original version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ2zeYawhqegrbs kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4aycmOaaLajZ9U Want to hear 360 voices, a symphony orchestra, a pipe organ with 11,623 pipes in an auditorium that seats 10,000? Here are a few. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqvXnaWMirJ7aaM kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4KZfGxsbLCeaas kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV66Y3Whr8SFpNE If you're going to invest in speakers, you'll want a pair that can do double duty as main HT speakers. So here are some special effects that a good HT system should be able to blow you away. Into each life a little rain must fall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3aZfZlneqmUg7M It's da bomb kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGmadHulp5qheKs Choo Choo! Here come da train. And dere go da train kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGmadHulp5qheKs Put some steam into it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3vbg3iPl6yseq8 Bellls, Bells, Hell's bells. little ones BIG ONES kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXrdZ5WBp6aWY6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/eF65pY2NZtt9mZY kzbin.info/www/bejne/faiynmpurLKqpc0 I didn't know boat whistles could play music! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH-shZWwib6rg5o Explosive kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2bdq5uBg92Yfa8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5mpXoaGgJmdgKM This was fun compiling from some of my playlists. If your sound system can handle all of this with ease, then you have one damned fine sound system.

[@ConorHanley]

Test songs are essential not so much for the nature of the audio, within reason, itself but for repeatability. They should be the same songs so you know how they sound and therefore pick up on differences of the equipment under 'review' , especially speakers. Course if you are a professional reviewer your going to be sick to death of those tracks. Perhaps its best not to pick favourite tracks.

[@pietromanno8916]

THE CLASH!!! JIMMY JAZZ!!! POLICE & THEVIES!!!!!!! LOST IN THE SUPERMARKET!!!!!GUNS OF BRIXTON!!!!! SPANISH BOMBS!!!! 🎼🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵🎶✨✌️

[@actualadviceaudio]

I like playing TOOL usually and Mariah Carey my all

[@sidesup8286]

I mostly listen to music that makes me smile. If it doesn't make me laugh or feel like crying what good is it? Without evoking emotion; what good is it. Here is some funny music which should make you smile and maybe impress you sonically. Nobody-from the Ry Cooder album called Jazz Don't Time Me Out Loud In The Bedroom With Your Eyes Closed-Hick Samuel Is It Time To Remember-The Weather Daisies Corn Women Are No Good- The Upfront Elephants You Wont Ever See Me On Tuesday- Dill Funk The Time Has Passed & It Wasn't Worth It-Roberta Day Jazz Will You Stop That Rattling Sound-The Bordelejos My Baby Listens To Mozart All Day-The Blonde Wigs Why Must You Ever Appear Here-The Wankfords Topsy Turvy And Loose All Over-The Goldmonts It's Always Autumn-Numb With Pain If Kresenich Can Do It So Can My Mother-Flex The Cat Syrup Over Gravy-The Loose Caboose What Kind Of Insect Is That?- The Wonder Bottoms

[@sidesup8286]

A few more I forgot... What's He Doing In There? - Tom Waits You Ain't Coming Here In That! - Cyril Nacht I Smelled That Before Somewhere - Bobo Pleasence Wonderful Mind You Used To Have - Soap For Hope He Existed Long Enough - Wilson Shade & The Lamplighters An Escort Is Not What I Need - Red Kelso You Went Before Me Last Time - Torrents Of Leaf If You Really Weight That Much Let's No - Bill Scatt It Wouldn't Have Been Good All Over - The Wimberly's Don't Sig Out..Just Go - Sharty Waffles Private Investigation Won't Work - Randy Beans You Make Lovin' Weird - The Mortal Sins You Won't Be Putting That Thing Where You Think - Mink Muffin The Way Of Cross & Dragoon - Bill Playmore & The Hostile Waitress

[@stereoreviewx]

thats some of the maddest song name s K

[@gtric1466]

Kelvin, Great Selection. Most reviewers when testing speakers use songs the keep be saying, you actually listen to this crap. Making my Sunday..

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Good choice of songs kelvin 😊