Often when someone demos or tests the capabilities of a home audio system or home theater system, they will use a song or a movie clip. The problem with this for music lovers, movie lovers, as well as audiophiles and videophiles, is a single song or movie clip doesn’t completely represent the intent of the content creator or the capabilities of the system components.
For those willing to make the investment in time, there are plenty of records that make for perfect home audio demo. Classic examples are AC/DC’s Back in Black, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Who’s Next from The Who, Metallica’s “Black” album and the debut Boston record. There are of course—more perfect records that combine the attributes that audiophiles love— with great songs, as well as many great movies for those willing to invest a couple of hours into an immersive audio movie soundtrack or HDR encoded video.
In asking some of the home AV market’s most experienced professionals for some of their favorite records and movies, we put together this list of albums to use to demo a home audio system. (We also have this list of preferred audio tracks from popular music educator, Rick Beato, to demo on home audio systems.)
Here’s 18 of the Best Records to Use for Home Audio Demos
- Aja, Steely Dan
- What Were Once Vices are Now Habits and Stampede, The Doobie Bros
- Yellow Submarine, The Beatles
- Spirit of Eden, Talk Talk
- Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath
- Black & White, Roy Orbinson
- Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
- Love, The Beatles
- Demon Days, Gorillaz
- Offerings, Typhoon
- Perihelion, Sungazer
- Nothing Like the Sun, Sting
- Lover, Taylor Swift
- Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
- Illmatic, Nas
- Rage Against the Machine, Rage Against the Machine
- Back in Black, AC/DC
- The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan
Aja, Steely Dan
Picked by: Richard Charschan, AcousticSmart
One of the obvious perfect records is Steely Dan Aja for the incredible mix, tight bass and kick drum, and incredible guitar work. “Hey Nineteen” (another Steely Dan recording) and Aja, are great demos to break in your new speakers he notes.
What Were Once Vices are Now Habits and Stampede, The Doobie Bros
Picked by: Richard Charschan, AcousticSmart
“A lesser known one that’s more fun to listen to: I love the Doobie Bros new quadraphonic mixes on Blu- ray: Listen to the album, What Were Once Vices are Now Habits,” comments Charschan.
“Check out the incredible mix of the stereo guitars and acapella vocals on “Black Water.” It will blow you away giving your speakers a nice workout. The Doobie Bros album Stampede is also another great album from start to finish in the quadraphonic mix on Blu-ray. Check out “Neils Fandango”and the rest of the album it is really a perfect record.”
Yellow Submarine, The Beatles
Picked by: Richard Charschan, AcousticSmart
For the Beatles, Charschan continues by explaining he prefers the latest remixed version of Yellow Submarine. The new mix took the original separated fake stereo mixes and made it into a beautiful analog mix that really makes the music sound fresh and vivid he says.
“The drums and bass are mixed correctly along with the vocals, which are now centered instead of the left speaker and puts you into the center of the music,” he points out. “My favorites are the lesser-known cuts … “Baby you’re a Rich Man” is fantastic with a super cool bass riff; the drum opening and “Hey Bulldog” sounds better than ever.”
Spirit of Eden, Talk Talk
Picked by: Walter Schofield, Nexus Audio Technologies
Schofield says that an album that he returns to often for system demos due to its pioneering nature that combines elements of the blues, classical, ambient, jazz and dub, is the Talk Talk album, Spirit of Eden. “It is a brilliant concept album that draws you into the music and it also sounds very good,” he recommends.
Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath
Picked by: Aldo Filippelli, Luxury Audio Group
Filippelli cites the first album from the iconic band Black Sabbath as the British band’s perfect record.
“It was a masterpiece of rock for the time. A completely new, heavy and raw sound and what would later be called heavy metal. ‘Black Sabbath,’ ‘The Wizard’ and ‘NIB’ are iconic songs that carved the way and help secure the band as the godfathers of metal,” he emphasizes.
Black & White, Roy Orbinson
Picked by: Robert Zohn, Value Electronics
Talking about demo music, Zohn says when demonstrating vinyl Value Electronics goes to perfect records such as the Roy Orbison Album, Black & White, and the song, “Blue Bayou.” Another very good audio demonstration choice; is streaming via the TIDAL app for the very enjoyable song “Liberty,” by Annete Askvik.
“We have a nice collection of vinyl and SACDs, CDs and TIDAL’s premium streaming service, and we ask our clients what they would like to hear for our audio demo,” he adds. “We can play content that they are familiar with and like.”
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Picked by: Jason Zidle, Lenbrook
When Zidle worked in retail he recalls, it seemed like everyone had copies of Eric Clapton’s Unplugged, the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over, and various albums by Holly Cole or Diana Krall. Now, offering some alternative choices for some newer perfect records Zidle may shock some older audiophiles.
“Now, I have a collection of demo tracks from a wide range of artists, with rarely more than one track from the same artist. The exception for me would be Billie Eilish for a couple of reasons: Her music is exceptionally well recorded, and I enjoy playing modern tracks that can attract a younger crowd to the demo room. ‘Happier Than Ever’ is my go-to album by her, and “Billie Bossa Nova” is my favorite track. I like a lot of Ed Sheeran, too,” he points out.
Love, The Beatles
Picked by: Jason Zidle, Lenbrook
Zidle’s other go-to track, he says, is Love, by the Beatles.
“It features tracks that most people have encountered at some point in their lives, but with a refreshing twist,” he says. Like Charschan, Zidle also states the acapella performances are breathtaking and the occasional bird sounds add a lifelike quality that encourages the audience to look up and around the room.
“Following that, I like to play a revamped version of ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ which has a notably different introduction. Then comes one of the most iconic guitar riffs and exemplary stereo imaging in music history. The soundstage begins in an intimate manner and then expands, making everyone start tapping their toes. Every time I play it, someone inevitably says, ‘I’ve never heard it like that before,’ and they add it to their own playlist,” he adds.
Demon Days, Gorillaz
Picked by: Nick Boever, CE Pro
Moving on into CE Pro staff picks, Boever says The Gorillaz have always been known for playing with eclectic sounds on their albums and Demon Days sits as quite possibly one of their most iconic works.
“Songs such as ‘Dirty Harry,’ ‘Feel Good Inc.’ and ‘DARE’ sit as some of the highlights of the work with the first of the trio offering up some some beautiful vocals from the children’s choir. Even the more subdued portions like ‘Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s Head’ provide some interesting atmospheric elements, such as touches of wind and haunting harmonies that intermingle with the spoken word narration,” he comments.
Offerings, Typhoon
Picked by: Nick Boever, CE Pro
Describing the Typhoon album, Boever notes this record is structured like its own creation myth, telling a story across each of its songs, with much of that story playing out in the structuring of the soundscapes. Offerings presents high highs and low lows as intense…