what are good songs to really test my stereo setup?

Question

i have an onkyo reciever with kef bookshelves and an infinity sub

Answer 1

My personal recommendation is Mannheim Steamroller's Fresh Aire III. I think it is one of the best albums for testing out stereo setups!

http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Aire-III-Mannheim-Steamroller/dp/B00004WFMP/ref=pd_sim_m_2/103-2359116-1227019

Answer 2

Hi. I'm not sure what type of music you like. Do you mean songs as in singing or songs as in instrumental .One of the best tracks of music for a demanding set up is the track "MONEY" from Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon album. The best CD version is the Original Master Recording on Mobile Fidelity Ultra Disc gold platted made in Japan.The dynamic range is incredible and it was actually recorded in 4 channel sound in 1973. Supertramp "Breakfast in America " also available on Mobile Fidelity Ultra disc is a very good one also.Any of the recordings by Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra on Telarc Digital will test your equipment. I don't know if you listen to vinyl records .There are some outstanding records around that would outperform most CD's A lot of audiophiles prefer vinyl as the sound is warmer and sweeter than CD and you hear instruments sound the way they should. Anyway i better get back to your question .Neil Diamond's Hot August Night is always a good one for your equipment as it was recorded in the open and has a good spacious quality to the sound. A good disc to test vocal on your speakers is Paul Simon's Graceland CD .

If you do have a turntable or maybe consider to get one later on ,one of the best records used as a demo..at Hi Fi audio shows for about 30 years was a recording of the Carmen Ballet on the Russian label Melodia. It is the music of Carmen using strings and 47 percussion instruments.I don't know if you like Classical music but this record will show up any weak areas of your equipment .It is a torture test for your cartridge.
If you could let me know what you like i will give you some more suggestions.
Cheers.

Answer 3

Whatever you think of Celine Dion her song "My Heart Will Go On" has some very low bass passages that will test the lower limits of your subwoofer and it is also a good test of how well your KEF's can handle female vocals (once you let them break in of course).

Answer 4

Some of the remastered Pink Floyd or Steely Dan albums are great choices.

Robert P above mentioned some great ideas, Supertramp is a great choice too.. I own some of the Ultradisc golds, but there are quite expensive since most are out print..

Answer 5

Carmen Ballet by Bolshoi Theater Orchestra is one of the best recordings ever. Few years ago I bought it on CD - from BMG label. Pink Floyd "dark side of the moon" is a rock reference recording. Porgy and Bess - Armstrong and Fitzerald on Verve is my favourite jazz reference. DIre Straigts "Love Over Gold", Sting "dreams of the blue turtle".

But dont get them from Apple store at 128kbs encoding - get CD's or Lps' Japanese pressings are the best.

Answer 6

Any metallica....Enter Sandman, Sanitarium,....Earth Wind & fire as well...goodluck