Favorite Test Discs

• Top test discs

• Good test discs

• Records with Key Tracks for Critical Listening

We took the time to write about what we were listening for on some tracks of these rock, pop and jazz albums. Feel free to use our notes to guide you in your own critical evaluations.

Test Discs by Genre

• Classical and orchestral test discs

• Advice on What to Listen For on Orchestral and Classical Recordings

• Jazz test discs

• Rock and pop test discs

Testing the Low End

• Records that Are Good for Testing Bass and Whomp

• Records that Are Good for Testing Bass Definition

• Records that Are Good for Testing the Mid-Bass and Lower Midrange

Testing in the Midrange

• Records that Are Good for Testing Midrange Brightness

• Records that Are Good for Testing Midrange Congestion

• Records that Are Good for Testing Midrange Presence

• Records that Are Good for Testing Midrange Tonality

• Records that Are Good for Testing Harshness and Shrillness

• Records that Are Good for Testing Grit and Grain

• Records that Are Good for Testing Richness and Smoothness

• Records that Are Good for Testing Big, Clear and Lively Choruses

Testing Tonality

• Records that Are Good for Testing Correct Tonality and Timbre

• Records that Are Good for Testing String Tone and Texture

Testing the Top End

• Records that Are Good for Testing Top End Extension

• Records that Are Good for Testing Treble Issues

• Records that Are Good for Testing Sibilance (It’s a Bitch)

Testing Other Aspects of Sound

• Records that Are Good for Testing Ambience, Size and Space

• Records that Are Good for Testing Orchestral Depth, Size and Space

• Records that Are Good for Testing Compression

• Records that Are Good for Testing Dynamics

• Records that Are Good for Testing Energy

• Records that Are Good for Testing Side to Side Differences

• Records that Are Good for Testing Smear

• Records that Are Good for Testing Speed

• Records that Are Good for Testing Transparency

Testing for Tubey Magic

• Records that Are Good for Testing Tubey Magic

• Records that Are Good for Testing Tubey Magical Acoustic Guitars

---

Testing by Instrument

• Brass that is good for testing

• Congas that are good for testing

• Drums that are good for testing

• Pianos that are good for testing

• Percusssion that is good for testing

• Snare drums that are good for testing

• Violins that are good for testing

And Finally

• Exceptionally difficult to reproduce recordings