Buying Audio Gear? Here’s the Album You Should Used to Test It Out
Whenever I was in the market for speakers, I had my reference disc: Steely Dan’s 1977 album, Aja. This thing was performed so well, engineered so precisely, produced so carefully and mastered so perfectly that I can’t think of another record that can highlight the strengths and expose the flaws of any audio gear. Open Culture points to us to some of the finer points of how the album was made.
There was a good article floating around last year or so about how I.G.Y (from The Nightfly) is the go-to track for sound engineers to test a system.
Back in the day, “Crime Of The Century” by Supertramp was another good one to use.
Bohemian Rhapsody will give any speakers a good workout.
my favourite audiophile swears by an album by Dead Can Dance
I’ve always used Tears For Fears – Seeds Of Love LP although there are a ton of really good LPs for testing depending on your musical tastes.