music for auditioning speaker & AVR

You should take your own music, stuff that you know very well. Also, take your original CDs along, don't try to make a single CD-R with tracks from different discs. For more details on how how and why, and a handy guide to carry with you, you should read and then print the following:
http://www.psbspeake...AuditionSpeakers.pdf

Apparently, transient response doesn't matter to PSB, so one should not listen for it!!

Actually it's probably not important at all, given that 16-bit CD cannot accurately store the transient of wind instruments, let alone percussion!

Jokes apart, it kind of depends. I'll try to add to the list linked earlier.

I rate timber and transient response as my number one priority. This makes most of my equipment choices sound 'live', because that is how real instruments sound.

For most people, that is not a realistic/likeable goal, the sound needs to be a little more filled in at the bottom and top end, and a little smoother. Not 'nough to be sibilant or boomy or to cloud details, but a little more defined in the bass and a little more 'airy' at the top, so one can recreate a band at a lower volume. You don't want to really hear a snare at the correct volume in your room, do you?

At the same time the system should not mask the second level of detailing - the throat of the vocalist, air movement of a trumpet and the ringing drone of open guitar strings.

Another thing to listen for is the acoustic size of instruments. In some music the piano is the width of the stage. This may be accurate or not, but generally instruments take up as much space in the 'virtual' stage as in real life.

Then there's micro-detailing. The clicking of keys on a sax, the hammers on a piano hitting the string, breathing and rustling of clothes.

My current list (changes regularly):

1. Chico Freeman - Spirit sensitive
2. Sara K - Closer than they appear
3. Van Morrison - The Healing Game
4. Weather Report - Mysterious Traveller
5. Diana Krall - Live in Paris

I also carry a few reference CD compilations/test discs. The most famous of these are released by Chesky, but B&W and Dali have some nice custom compilations too - most equipment manufacturers will, and are a reasonable starting point if you don't own any reference quality music.

eric_clapton schrieb:

My current list (changes regularly): 1. Chico Freeman - Spirit sensitive 2. Sara K - Closer than they appear 3. Van Morrison - The Healing Game 4. Weather Report - Mysterious Traveller 5. Diana Krall - Live in Paris I also carry a few reference CD compilations/test discs. The most famous of these are released by Chesky, but B&W and Dali have some nice custom compilations too - most equipment manufacturers will, and are a reasonable starting point if you don't own any reference quality music.

Excellent choice, Eric. May I add two of my favorites:

Donald Fagen - Morph the cat (to check out the bass capabilities if a system)
Jeniffer Warnes - The Well (all the rest that is important)

Both recordings are available as Redbook CDs, SACDS and 180gr. Vinly Records.
Regards,
Jochen

By AVR do you mean a Home Theatre Receiver ? If yes, then you need to check it out with Movies that have couch shaking bass, special effects, with cars and planes moving accross the soundstage, etc.

There are horses for courses, and the HT receiver & speakers are NOT meant for Audiophile duty.

You would {should } not load 6 friends in a sports car and take it for a test drive. Neither would you take a powerful truck on the race track ....

IMHO ofcourse