Some Nice Demo Discs For Your Next Audition

We all know when purchasing any new audio equipment you should always take along some music that you know inside out. These albums, though they lean toward my taste in music, are albums that really show the capabilities and the shortcomings of a system.

When auditioning a new system or piece of equipment I not only want to hear how good it is, but I want to hear what it leaves out and can't reproduce. It isn't uncommon for a speaker or amplifier to struggle to reproduce something that is on a certain disc.

A demo disc should also produce a wide range in frequencies and tones. This isn't always possible with one piece of music so bringing a variety of music will ensure your choice is one that suits your needs and tastes.

These albums do all of the above in some way or another for me because I know them back to front and I know how they are meant to sound. I'm always interested in other peoples demo discs and why they use them to audition certain pieces of epuipment. Please leave any of your suggestions on what you like to demo with and if we don't already have it here we will get it in.

Joni Mitchell - Blue


This is always a first choice for me when wanting female vocals and piano. Her voice has subtleties that will test a speakers reproduction of mid range and treble beautifully.








Air - Moon Safari


This is such a fantastic album all round. The production is stunning and will really sing on a good setup. With layers of rich sounds and some excellent female vocals, this is a definite winner.








Gorecki - Symphony of Sorrowful Songs



Whether or not you're a classical listener, you'll always benefit from becoming intimate with some form of it. This for me is an easy choice and one that has to be some of the most moving music I'm aware of. If your system isn't up to scratch, the first five or so minutes of Symphony No. 3 will prove it. It's incredibly complex and is so subtle that some systems will fail to show certain instruments all together.



Nick Drake - Pink Moon


This is a great choice when wanting acoustic instruments and mid range. It's a fantastic album with some beautifully recorded vocals that although subtle, will easily prove a systems worth.








Massive Attack - Mezzanine


Massive Attack's Mezzanine will instantly reveal the bass in your system and get those bass drivers moving. Be wary though, there's a big difference between bass that rumbles and bass that is properly reproduced. People are often impressed by bad bass reproduction because it's instantly gratifying. Living with it though is a different story, your ears will soon grow fatigued with bass that isn't neat and tight. This album also has some beautiful female vocals.