Audio Video News

A system is only as good as the recording or movie that’s played through it. Here is some suggested demo material:

CDS

Eric Clapton Unplugged (Reprise)

A clear, wideband, detailed, all-around superb recording featuring mainly acoustic instruments, so you can quickly get a good handle on whether your speakers sound “right” — or otherwise.

Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman (Elektra)

While not perfect — Chapman’s vocals are a little too bright and the bass too prominent — this recording is excellent for quickly and reliably determining the differences in speaker setups.

Blu-ray Discs/DVD

Casino Royale (Sony)

The last 20 minutes of this Blu-ray Disc are filled with sonic (and visual) mayhem — explosions, gunfire, chase sequences, and nonstop action that’ll test the capabilities of your speakers in every respect.

The Fifth Element (Sony)

This movie has been a perennial demo favorite in its various format incarnations over the years, and for good reason — it runs the gamut of sound effects, dialogue, and music from subtle background ambience to all-out aural assault.

A Concert for George (Rhino)

Filmed a year to the day after George Harrison’s death, this superb tribute features exceptional sound — full-range and clear, with a surround mix that draws you right into the concert hall. The performances, by son Dhani Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Anoushka Shankar, and others, are also exceptional.

For more information on speaker setup check out our Speaker 101 feature by Frank Doris here.