What to try on your new KEF audio....?

[eclat2emira]

Prompted by @freefall_junkie and @digilotus talking about music (great chat in "Emira Review Index" thread on that, kicked by the Moroder C16 connection!), so what are your favourite tracks for evaluating hi-fi?

When buying a good quality range of Denon components (must be over 20 years ago...) and testing them with Wharfdale Diamond IV speakers plus alternates and a selection of turntables (ended up with Dual), Enlightenment by Van Morrison and Southside by Texas both had great range as well as plenty of "space" to assess the audio kit. The intro to Sharleen Spiteri's "I don't want a lover" is a great test for any audio with that pin-sharp, treble-heavy acoustic guitar with lots of space around it, followed by booming base. Similar features in Enlightenment soon expose any weaknesses.

So what are your faves for giving an audio system a good workout?

#fortheaudiospeakerdrivers

 

[CarGuy07]

Any sound system that Hotel California by Eagles sounds good on is good for me. I played it on an Acura RDX with their 360* studio ELS sound system a few years ago and it was phenomenal!

 

[freefall_junkie]

Simple Minds are a go-to for a HiFi work out for me, Pete Walsh's production of New Gold Dream in particular is so clean and full of space. That choice does carbon-date me though doesn't it?

I'm into electronic and ambient music, and on that front the huge soundscapes of Solar Fields' Movements work well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQjove0nzss

On the acoustic side anything by guitar genius Antonio Forcione. His early recordings were made by Naim, who know a thing or two about good Hi Fi
Edited to add, watch the Antonio vid to 5.00 in to have your mind blown!

I've got Cyrus kit with Monitor Audio speakers at home - also pretty old but still sounds great.

 

[DaveR]

Simple Minds are a go-to for a HiFi work out for me, Pete Walsh's production of New Gold Dream in particular is so clean and full of space. That choice does carbon-date me though doesn't it?

I'm into electronic and ambient music, and on that front the huge soundscapes of Solar Fields' Movements work well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQjove0nzss

On the acoustic side anything by guitar genius Antonio Forcione. His early recordings were made by Naim, who know a thing or two about good Hi Fi
Edited to add, watch the Antonio vid to 5.00 in to have your mind blown!

I've got Cyrus kit with Monitor Audio speakers at home - also pretty old but still sounds great.

That brings back memories. New gold dream. Only have it on vinyl so may create a problem in the emira

 

[Tonyshepp]

Simple Minds are a go-to for a HiFi work out for me, Pete Walsh's production of New Gold Dream in particular is so clean and full of space. That choice does carbon-date me though doesn't it?

I'm into electronic and ambient music, and on that front the huge soundscapes of Solar Fields' Movements work well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQjove0nzss

On the acoustic side anything by guitar genius Antonio Forcione. His early recordings were made by Naim, who know a thing or two about good Hi Fi
Edited to add, watch the Antonio vid to 5.00 in to have your mind blown!

I've got Cyrus kit with Monitor Audio speakers at home - also pretty old but still sounds great.

New Gold Dream? Got to be Don't you forget about me live in the city of lights

 

[912Matt]

OMG, now I’m depressed, Texas/Simple Minds/Van Morrison, kill me now! Nothing says middle-aged like this thread

 

[DaveR]

OMG, now I’m depressed, Texas/Simple Minds/Van Morrison, kill me now! Nothing says middle-aged like this thread

So right!!!

 

[Tonyshepp]

So right!!!

Isn't it middle aged folks predominantly buying the Emira

 

[912Matt]

Isn't it middle aged folks predominantly buying the Emira

I know, but can’t we just pretend we’re not on here?!

 

[mjw930]

OMG, now I’m depressed, Texas/Simple Minds/Van Morrison, kill me now! Nothing says middle-aged like this thread

Then let me add, Eagles, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Renaissance, Stones, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters....

 

[Leonard]

Initially probably a bit of classic 90s dance! Only because it really stretches the range low-mid-high

 

[DaveR]

Isn't it middle aged folks predominantly buying the Emira

That’s almost a reason for a poll but I think it might have been done

 

[Tonyshepp]

I know, but can’t we just pretend we’re not on here?!

Well in my head I'm 22..

 

[912Matt]

Well in my head I'm 22..

I’m with you. I see Kate Bush is number one in the charts, like being back in the 80’s

 

[JimH]

I’m with you. I see Kate Bush is number one in the charts, like being back in the 80’s

Stranger Things have happened…….

 

[912Matt]

Stranger Things have happened…….

 

[eclat2emira]

Any sound system that Hotel California by Eagles sounds good on is good for me. I played it on an Acura RDX with their 360* studio ELS sound system a few years ago and it was phenomenal!

Hitting the road to the Eagles Take it Easy is a favourite of mine, more on holiday trips than serious drives, but what a vibe.

 

[eclat2emira]

Well in my head I'm 22..

Aren't we all?!

 

[eclat2emira]

That’s almost a reason for a poll but I think it might have been done

I think you might be right!

 

[eclat2emira]

Simple Minds are a go-to for a HiFi work out for me, Pete Walsh's production of New Gold Dream in particular is so clean and full of space. That choice does carbon-date me though doesn't it?

I'm into electronic and ambient music, and on that front the huge soundscapes of Solar Fields' Movements work well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQjove0nzss

On the acoustic side anything by guitar genius Antonio Forcione. His early recordings were made by Naim, who know a thing or two about good Hi Fi
Edited to add, watch the Antonio vid to 5.00 in to have your mind blown!

I've got Cyrus kit with Monitor Audio speakers at home - also pretty old but still sounds great.

I recently rediscovered New Gold Dream - what an album!