Test track recommendations

[zicmubleu]

I didn't find a thread covering this and this may not be the correct spot for this but hopefully the viewers of this thread will have some suggestions.

I am wondering what sound tracks should be used to test various components of a system. I have seen U571 and Master and Commander used for testing subwoofers as an example. However what about the fronts, center, surround sides, surrounds rear; and the pre/pros themselves?

Dating myself here, but in the early 70s I bought my first stereo at HiFi Associates and the salesman put on Donkey Jaw by America to play it through a set of Advent loudspeakers. It blew me away, felt like the band was right there, etc. I bought the system, Pioneer 626 and pair of Advents. Hearing that same song played on a different system first, made the Advents sound incredible. However I had never heard the song before so I really didn't have a true reference to work from. So with your recommendations on test tracks to use for various components I could expose myself to how they sound from store to store and hopefully learn to recognize the SQ I like. I have DSOTM on SACD that seems to exercise the surrounds nicely, is there even better?

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by zicmubleu

Dating myself here, but in the early 70s I bought my first stereo at HiFi Associates and the salesman put on Donkey Jaw by America to play it through a set of Advent loudspeakers. It blew me away, felt like the band was right there, etc. I bought the system, Pioneer 626 and pair of Advents. Hearing that same song played on a different system first, made the Advents sound incredible. However I had never heard the song before so I really didn't have a true reference to work from. So with your recommendations on test tracks to use for various components I could expose myself to how they sound from store to store and hopefully learn to recognize the SQ I like. I have DSOTM on SACD that seems to exercise the surrounds nicely, is there even better?

The Goodbye Yellow Brick Road DVD-Audio disk is very well engineered; it's a great test, with Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding just an awesome demo sample.

For film, Flyboys has some terrific swooping around between speakers.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

The Goodbye Yellow Brick Road DVD-Audio disk is very well engineered; it's a great test, with Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding just an awesome demo sample.

For film, Flyboys has some terrific swooping around between speakers.

But does the swooping around sound effect let you really hear the character of the speakers? With DSOTM you hear the distinct sounds very well from each speaker which is sort of what I judge speakers by. Maybe I am not using a good criteria to listen for? Thanks for the suggestions, I will have to look for the Yellow Brick Road an DVD-Audio. Before I spend money on Flyboys I will have to see whether that movie appeals to me, I am sure there are some movie threads here to give me that info.

[Halcro 1]

Hasent this topic been coverd in other threads... Just sayin

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by zicmubleu

But does the swooping around sound effect let you really hear the character of the speakers? With DSOTM you hear the distinct sounds very well from each speaker which is sort of what I judge speakers by. Maybe I am not using a good criteria to listen for? Thanks for the suggestions, I will have to look for the Yellow Brick Road an DVD-Audio. Before I spend money on Flyboys I will have to see whether that movie appeals to me, I am sure there are some movie threads here to give me that info.

I'd have to say that Flyboys doesn't constitute a real sound test. I have a 7.1 system, and gave it a very close listen with 3:10 To Yuma, which has 7.1 LPCM. That may be a better test - early on, there's the stagecoach chase sequence, and it gives the surrounds a workout - but I'm not sure if any of these are fair tests.

When I was selecting the rear surrounds, I tested several I already had using the 7.1ch Stereo mode of my receivers (Pioneer VSX -84TXSi). I use this mode often when listening to aggressive 2 channel music. This was the best test, and on both rigs, I would up using larger rear surrounds than are generally considered necessary. But that was because I had the option of actually listening to familiar music, across the full range.

The main HT is all Definitive except for the sub (RF-LF, Mythos ST set up as full range; Center, Mythos 10; RS-LS, Mythos One; LRS-RRS, Mythos Eight; sub, JL Audio Fathom) and when playing 7.1 tracks, the full range of sound comes from everywhere. No "shallow" spots.

When playing DVD Audio, either DTS or DD - I have SACD challenges, haven't gone that route - I matrix in the rear speakers. It's very nice to have full range sound, even if it's not exploited by every sound mix.

On Blu, 7.1 discrete or 5.1 matrixed is also very clear. But I agree, it's hard to use most film audio as reference or test material. Music is best.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Hasent this topic been coverd in other threads... Just sayin

Well, the horse WAS dead, but I guess somebody hooked up some jumper cables to the studs on his neck. Happens all the time.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Hasent this topic been coverd in other threads... Just sayin

I did some searching and scanning of thread titles. I didn't see anything that appears comprehensive, and most discussions were not directly addressing tracks to use for each part of a system or if there is some magic album out there that exercises everything in a way for listening analysis. Everyone says go to the store and listen to the speakers, or maybe the reciever and I get the general feeling people are bringing in their own CD or Blu-ray title to do so. My feeling is that when I want to upgrade components in my system I would like to know what sound tracks are a good standard to use. Not just for the subwoofers, or even just the speakers, they are critical obviously, but there must be some substantial differences in various amps, players, the decoders, etc. So if I listen to the 'standard' on my existing system I will have a better chance of determining what is different and hopefully better, for my ears when I go to a showroom. I apologize for wasting a thread space.

Thanks Blu-Dog for your suggestions and listening tips.

[-DLS-]

Here's a link to a very long list of movies or music that include the time listing for demo material.. it's at the last part of the page FAQ # 9 just scroll down - I just didn't want to copy and paste the whole thing here.

http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/page.html?chapter=5&id=3

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by DLS_222

Here's a link to a very long list of movies or music that include the time listing for demo material.. it's at the last part of the page FAQ # 9 just scroll down - I just didn't want to copy and paste the whole thing here.

http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/page.html?chapter=5&id=3

Thanks, that certainly provides a lot of titles to test the subwoofers. I already have a few of them on DVD but I imagine they are much better on Blu-ray so I will look for a few of the titles that I don't have, that I would want to get anyway.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by zicmubleu

I didn't find a thread covering this and this may not be the correct spot for this but hopefully the viewers of this thread will have some suggestions.

Go to A Guide to Subwoofers thread. It has a sticky in subwoofers section. Go to the end of the original post. Many movie tracks and test tones to test a subwoofer are listed there.

[zicmubleu]

I just spotted a thread "Good reference music" under Blu-ray Music and HQ music that seems to directly address what I was looking for. Thanks for the suggestions that everyone gave here. If the mods want to pull this thread that is fine with me.

[elaine1015]

The Goodbye Yellow Brick Road DVD-Audio disk is very well engineered