One song, can't miss, demo to the non audiophile

Jump to Latest
J

JMacII

Member
Joined 2019
#1
Let's say you have a non-audiophile friend/neighbor whatever that stops by and they see your system and after the "what's all that" conversation you want to play something for them to get a glimpse of what a hi fi can do. You put them in "the chair" and you can play something that will really demonstrate what the system can do. What's the one track you would play? Say, something under 5 minutes long, that would appeal to someone who's a fan of music but has never really thought about a serious hi fi.

Right now I've been smitten with Sara Bareilles' Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Live from Atlanta.
 
#9
I usually ask them what they would like to hear and see if I have it or something close.

You know you've made the point when you play one of their favorites and they say something along the lines of "Gee or [@*#*R#~] I never heard that before..."

Could be a backing vocal, room ambience, a guitar riff or....
 
#10
I'm with Kevin, if you pick something with high DR that most commonly heard on TV or radio, that will make an impression.

I remember shopping for an HT system 15 or 20 years ago and they played an Eagles concert DVD for me, sounded amazing.
 
#11
Kevin has it right, the best thing is to get a track that they know and like. That’s more important than anything.

A really good fallback is essentially anything Beatles that sounds good on your system. The entire western world is familiar with them, and probably everybody else has heard the highlights of the catalog... 😀
 
#12
I just found a suggestion from John. I do not know the album.
TubeCAD, 24 September 2020
Music Recommendation: Small Change
(just past the near-naked lady.)
Upon first hearing it, I thought, "Wow, this is the LP they should play in stereo stores to show off their equipment."
Amazon Music offers this classic album in 24-bit, 96kHz format.
 
#15
I understand the impulse to find tracks will be a one punch knock out. Something that will transform a tin ear into an audiophile. IMO the highest value is found in songs that convey emotion not technical skill.

My short list:
Shelby Lynne 45RPM version of "Just a Little Lovin"
"Drinking again" by Aretha Frankin
"Morning" by Beck
"Live Wire" by AC/DC
"Choices" by Betty LaVette
 
#16
I agree that when auditioning my system for others, I do ask what they would like to hear. The last three family/friends requested:
1 - Beyonce
2 - Kanye West
3 - The Eagles
OK, I have The Eagles, but not the other two, so I selected for them.
 
#17
Only one? Sorry, but i guess it’s the crusty old fart in me bubbling to the surface, but I can’t think of a single “track” capable of demonstrating the full capabilities of any “decent” system, and suspect it really comes down to the listener’s personal favourites. Anyone who’s had experience in the retail audio trade probably can provide a short list of demo tracks they’d be happy to never endure again; as big a fan as I am of Pink Floyd, DSOTM was ruined for me for that exact reason, “Money” or “TGGITS” are on that list. OTOH, I could listen to the entirety of “Wish You Were Here” any day of the week, and indeed find it hard to “eat just one”.

That said, I kinda like Loreena McKennitt, and for scale, dynamics, and voicing and textures of instruments not often utilized to their potential in “popular” music, the live album “Nights from the Alhambra” is a personal benchmark. “Caravanserais” is a cracking great piece, with all but the kitchen sink. I was lucky enough to catch the full travelling road show band performing in support of the above named release a while back, and while I think anyone purporting to have perfect acoustic memory is at the very least delusional, I don’t doubt that recollection of the intensity of emotional reaction to a live event is a real thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom