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Need music to test out headphones...

post #1 of 18
10/31/09 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for music, any genre, that will get the most out of my headphones. From what I've heard classical music sounds amazing when combined with hi-fi equipment, but I have no clue what albums to look for. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 18
10/31/09 at 8:00pm
See my blog.
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post #3 of 18
10/31/09 at 9:12pm
I always use the Jennifer Warnes song 'Bird on a Wire' from her album "Famous Blue Raincoat".
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post #4 of 18
10/31/09 at 9:17pm
Angus & Julia Stone is well recorded to my ears. I'll be using it when I next try out headphones.
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post #5 of 18
10/31/09 at 11:38pm
I like the Mo-Fi version of Natlie Merchant's Tigerlily.
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post #6 of 18
10/31/09 at 11:50pm
Lately I've been using stuff from The Fray, but my all time favorite is still the entire Lea Salonga Live 1 and 2 concerts.
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post #7 of 18
11/1/09 at 1:56am
I like to use the Tool song Ticks & Leeches from Lateralus due to the complexity of the drumming.
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post #8 of 18
11/1/09 at 1:18am
My suggestion is just to use what you listen to regularly.

There is no better test for equipment than music you know well.

If you are looking for new music that will sound great, the above suggestions are fine and I'd like to add BT- This binary universe.
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post #9 of 18
11/1/09 at 1:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrGreen View Post
My suggestion is just to use what you listen to regularly.

There is no better test for equipment than music you know well.
Ding.

That said, before I got into the whole audiophile thing, most of the music I had was pretty low quality. Either low bitrate or poorly mastered, often both.

Nowadays if I was going to test a new set of headphones I'd find one or two songs of every major style of music I listen to. A few hardcore tracks to see how the bass is, a few gabber to see how it sounds since the bassline is in the mids, a few ambient tracks, classical, rock, and so on.
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post #10 of 18
11/1/09 at 1:53am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely be checking out some of the songs you guys have recommended, along with my usual music.
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post #11 of 18
11/1/09 at 2:07am
music you know well is great...but sometimes you need a trusty known recording to compare equipment. Famous Blue Rain Coat (as mentioned above) is a classic test album as is Paul Simon Graceland and was one of the few true analog recordings of that era (really listen to the background vocals on Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes) and 461 Ocean Blvd. (Eric Clapton). I also like to use Without a Net by the Grateful Dead for some live tests (try eyes of the world with Branford Marsalis) Phish Rift and Miles Kind of Blue.
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post #12 of 18
11/1/09 at 2:39am
to test things out of the 'heavier' end:

august burns red- exstince, the escape artist
the devil wear prada- deiz moines(sp?)
demen hunter- strom the gates of hell
kamelot- rule the world, anthem, blucher(sp?)
project 86- the butcher
in flames- take this life
underoath- coming down is calming down
RED- already over
killswitch engage- my curse, this is absoltion
extol- ember
dragon force- through the fire flames(yes lol)
amon amarth- guardian of asgard(sp?)

some of the above listed are hard rock or power metal, most of the others having harsh vocals, some with a mix of harsh and clean
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post #13 of 18
11/1/09 at 3:15am
Try Leo Kottke's "6 & 12 String Guitar" album. It's just Kottke with his guitar and it has a bluegrass/country flavor, but a great recording and an absolute classic.
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post #14 of 18
11/4/09 at 10:38pm
Andy McKee - "For My Father" (for the acoustic guitar)
Boyz II Men - any (for the harmonizing)
Chevelle - "Comfortable Liar" (test out deep bass hits)
Chris Spheeris - any (for Latin guitar)
City and Colour - "Save Your Scissors (test out bright high's in guitar/voice)
Erik Monigrain - "AirTap!" (for his tapping/harmonics on acoustic)
In Extremeo - "Villeman Og Magnhild" (haha for the homeland [Norway])
Johnny Cash - "I Won't Back Down" (for acoustic/deep voice)
Maná - "Labios Compartidos" (latin rock)
Parkway Drive - "Boneyards" / "Carrion" (for the metalcore breakdowns)
Rammstein - "Ohne Diche" (test out orchestral/rock)
Rodrigo y Gabriela (for their acoustic picking)

At least these are song I love testing out, hehe. Good luck!
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post #15 of 18
11/4/09 at 10:42pm
My favorite test track is "Money for Nothin'" by Dire Straits.
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