I'm looking for a cd that I can use to test out my system and to optimize it. But I have no idea which ones are good and the only ones that I know of are the crappy ones ebay.

Dave

 

Virtually anything with rap and hip hop will be worthless - so will MP3's

A list of my current setup discs:
-All of the Autosound2000 CD's
-USACi and IASCA SQ CD's
-3 Focal CD's
-A few of the Sheffield labs CD's
-Alpine CAN disc

Anthing mixed by Telarc or Sheffield labs will be pretty good. Typically, those cd's are not what you want to listen to on a daily basis. There are some good soundtracks out there too (gladiator comes to mind).

Typically "popular" music is worthless for Tuning...

 

That's basically what I was trying to ask, I know music cd's are bad for testing audio. I just didn't know any names of the good companies that make audio tuning cd's, thanks for the help.

Dave

 

and if I had to recommend one...get the IASCA CD - the liner notes tell you exactly what to look for when trying to setup staging and imaging as well as linearity and some other things.

It's a good way to learn more about what SQ is.

 

I like using Madonna's "Immaculate Collection" CD - using "Vogue", this track really kicks some *** (not just bass wise either). The imaging and crispness of the opening is awesome. YOu can really tell if a speaker system can handle it (either Home or Car).

 

Annie Lennox's diva album, tracks 3,5, and 6. They have bass, highs, and mids. Also works well for tuning staging.

 

i prefer the 808 tune up from iasca or i am big fan of the bass mekannik serires of cd's they make everything form sweeps to steps to rsonance tests to single tracks of hertz.

 

i also recommend bass mekanik cds... really nice stuff

 

bass mechaniks, I wouldn't even touch those for SQ, not even when tuning the sub frequency. Any sub can go buuuuuuuuurrrrppp.