Long Audio Beard
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- Feb 19, 2021
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Thought it might be helpful and fun to discuss music you like to use when testing DACs and testing other components and your overall system. I'll start it off:
pop: "Rio" on album "Rio" by Duran Duran
There is a rapid almost random analog synth running throughout the track, kind of a soundscape, its in the midrange, is it more prominent when you change components and is the song more dynamic with vocals sounding less processed? Does it all sound too bright?
jazz: "St. Thomas" on album "Saxophone Colossus" by Sonny Rollins
I believe a mono recording, sounds great on most anything, but how real does the saxaphone sound when it starts up? Does it surprise you or just blend in with the rest of the instruments? Good for testing midrange performance on speakers too.
classic rock: "Sole Survivor" on album "Asia" by Asia
Does the recording sound dynamic and like you are in the room with the band? (Don't know if any "remastered" versions have ruined the dynamics)
hard rock/heavy metal: "If Eternity Should Fail" on album "Book of Souls" by Iron Maiden
Once the music starts (there is a moody monologue at first) does it sound dynamic and surprise you for a moment, or does it sound kind of flat? Is it distorted or clear? Sibilance with the vocals (S sounds)? Can you pick out the guitars? There are at least 3 separate guitars plus a bass guitar at most times and although a studio recording, recorded more live than instrument by instrument.
electronic: "Datacloud" on album "Trance 2 Metropolis - Mission to Paradise by various" artist: Moonraver
This makes most things sound pretty good, but once the song really gets into full swing does the midrange soundscape on one channel continue to remain prominent? Are you able to hear or feel the low bass? Good test of imaging (and speakers!), a lot of frequency range going on.
other: "Worrisome Heart" on album "Worrisome Heart" by Melody Gardot
Pretty well recorded intimate track. Does her voice sound as real when you switch components?
classical: "Opening movement - Mars" from Holst's "The Planets" album by London Philharmonic Orchestra/dir Vladimir Jurowski
Well recorded, very wide dynamic range so caution with volume, do you get an idea of where the instruments are placed? Does timbre and frequency prominence change when you switch components?
pop: "Rio" on album "Rio" by Duran Duran
There is a rapid almost random analog synth running throughout the track, kind of a soundscape, its in the midrange, is it more prominent when you change components and is the song more dynamic with vocals sounding less processed? Does it all sound too bright?
jazz: "St. Thomas" on album "Saxophone Colossus" by Sonny Rollins
I believe a mono recording, sounds great on most anything, but how real does the saxaphone sound when it starts up? Does it surprise you or just blend in with the rest of the instruments? Good for testing midrange performance on speakers too.
classic rock: "Sole Survivor" on album "Asia" by Asia
Does the recording sound dynamic and like you are in the room with the band? (Don't know if any "remastered" versions have ruined the dynamics)
hard rock/heavy metal: "If Eternity Should Fail" on album "Book of Souls" by Iron Maiden
Once the music starts (there is a moody monologue at first) does it sound dynamic and surprise you for a moment, or does it sound kind of flat? Is it distorted or clear? Sibilance with the vocals (S sounds)? Can you pick out the guitars? There are at least 3 separate guitars plus a bass guitar at most times and although a studio recording, recorded more live than instrument by instrument.
electronic: "Datacloud" on album "Trance 2 Metropolis - Mission to Paradise by various" artist: Moonraver
This makes most things sound pretty good, but once the song really gets into full swing does the midrange soundscape on one channel continue to remain prominent? Are you able to hear or feel the low bass? Good test of imaging (and speakers!), a lot of frequency range going on.
other: "Worrisome Heart" on album "Worrisome Heart" by Melody Gardot
Pretty well recorded intimate track. Does her voice sound as real when you switch components?
classical: "Opening movement - Mars" from Holst's "The Planets" album by London Philharmonic Orchestra/dir Vladimir Jurowski
Well recorded, very wide dynamic range so caution with volume, do you get an idea of where the instruments are placed? Does timbre and frequency prominence change when you switch components?
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