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[PurpleMoustache]

Hey GAF,
I just got my first ever external DAC/Amp (a Schiit Fulla 2), and it sounds phenominal on my Sony MDR-V6's.

I'm playing my all time favorite headphone testing album Dark Side of the Moon, but I was wondering what y'alls standbys are?

 

[nhlducks35]

Hotel California of course

 

[motherxwolf]

deloused in the comatorium

 

[RDreamer]

In Absentia by Porcupines Tree

 

[Servbot24]

I like using Kid A

 

[hwy_61]

Animals, Wish You Were Here.

 

[robotrock]

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

 

[thesoapster]

Tool - Lateralus

 

[Earthbound64]

Porn, obvs.

Seriously though, Pachelbel's Canon in D.

 

[hwy_61]

Tool - Lateralus

10,000 days is also awesome for headphones.

 

[OSHAN]

https://soundcloud.com/johnnyjewel

 

[The Mule]

The Tron soundtrack by Daft Punk is a common reference for me.

Cachaito by Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez is also a great reference.

Maybe some Radiohead? Ok Computer, Kid A?

And of course, something from Pink Floyd; Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

 

[Manzanas]

 

[robotrock]

Björk's Vespertine

 

[omgkitty]

I agree with this.

 

[Renekton]

Infected Mushroom - Friends on Mushroom

This album made Schiit sound shit for some reason.

 

[JigglesBunny]

You'll know if your set-up is up to snuff by Blood on the Leaves.

 

[robotrock]

Massive Attack's Mezzanine

 

[Speely]

deloused in the comatorium

Great pick. Really great.

My contribution: "How It Feels to Be Something On" by Sunny Day Real Estate. It's less about appreciating dynamic range and more about hearing the nuances of the way the drums are recorded.

 

[Minarik]

deloused in the comatorium

Glad it didn't take long for a correct answer to be posted.

 

[Mistle]

Off the top of my head, the new OK Computer remaster is pretty incredible. Random Access Memories is bliss. And this might be a bit left of field, but I've found the Hamilton cast recording sounds brilliant, in terms of having the whole soundscape being used. I believe The Roots produced it?

 

[Generalpsyduck]

pink floyd discography

 

[itwasTuesday]

Amber Rubarth
Sessions from the 17th Ward

Bluegrassy, female vocals, acoustic guitar. Sharp highs that that are great for pushing those upper frequencies
Evan has a Bob Dylan cover on the album

Not for testing low end response

 

[CPCunha]

Aphex Twin's Drukqs.

 

[Regiruler]

Do symphonic stuff or anything with a ton of instruments. How many you can tell apart is a good test.

 

[isaacnukem]

Massive Attack's Mezzanine

Seconding this.

 

[HotHamBoy]

I like using Kid A

Came to post this.

(And Dark Side of the Moon)

 

[Dr.Acula]

Ride - Nowhere (reissue)

I like "Going Blank Again" by Ride more, but the Nowhere remaster is great.

Any shoegazer music, really.

 

[LQX]

Kill Bill Vol. 2 Original Soundtrack

 

[Fat4all]

Steely Dan

 

[TheGreatMightyPoo]

Metallica's Black album

 

[itwasTuesday]

Oh yeah, Mortal Kombat soundtrack. If you can't rock out to the tittle track then throw away your cans.

 

[louiedog]

Supertramp - Crime of the Century - this one is my go to. it sounds so good

 

[NAPK1NS]

A Moon Shaped Pool, honestly. Lots of textures and range to accommodate for.

 

[Lionheart1827]

Metallica - Black Album

Album has amazing production.

Guitars are so juicy

 

[TheCochese]

Massive Attack's Mezzanine

Nice.

Crystal Merhod - Vegas

 

[tarheel91]

My general go to set:
Anything from Stevie Wonder
Thriller
Mura Masa's Someday Somewhere
In Rainbows
JT's 20/20 Experience
Something orchestral

 

[Lkr]

FILTH by Swans
It's my fav swans album anon

 

[Extra Sauce]

Hard to top Deloused in the Comatorium and Kid A so I'll just second those.

 

[Baltic]

Steely Dan

You are blessed.

 

[bennywhatever]

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
Dream Theater - Images and Words
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Guns n Roses - Appetite for Destruction
The Swell Season - The Swell Season

 

[Fluffernutter Pancake]

Will second Steely Dan --- particularly the Aja album (Black Cow etc.) . Supposed to be one of the best engineered albums ever and really showcases the soundstage of good audiophile headphones.

 

[Lionheart1827]

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
Dream Theater - Images and Words
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Guns n Roses - Appetite for Destruction
The Swell Season - The Swell Season

Yes.

If only that triggered snare wasn't in there oof. But godamn very well produced.

 

[dietdracula]

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Radiohead - OK Computer
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Pete Rock and CL Smooth - The Main Ingredient
The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Prince - Purple Rain (especially with that new remaster, holy crap)
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Weezer - Pinkerton

Really just any album I am extensively familiar with, but Thriller is almost my immediate go-to, if only to hear the beginning of "Baby Be Mine".

 

[Extra Sauce]

Portishead - Third

 

[AzureSkies]

This is a good choice

 

[robotrock]

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Radiohead - OK Computer
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Pete Rock and CL Smooth - The Main Ingredient
The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Prince - Purple Rain (especially with that new remaster, holy crap)
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Weezer - Pinkerton

Really just any album I am extensively familiar with, but Thriller is almost my immediate go-to, if only to hear the beginning of "Baby Be Mine".

bruh MBDTF as your headphones testing album?

Portishead - Third

Yup. Third is the best pick for this kind of thing, but their other two albums are also fantastic picks.

 

[Liquid Dust]

Purity Ring - Shrines - Grandloves

Song is heavily layered and will give your headphones a workout

 

[Steamlord]

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Insides - Euphoria
The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2
Stereolab - Dots and Loops
Sweet Trip - velocity : design : comfort.
Glenn Branca - The Ascension
Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children
Rachel's - Systems/Layers

 

[Poimandres]

Some of the albums listed here have pretty average mastering, honestly. Great music, but not great production.

Still, I guess it depends what you are looking for when testing. Are you just listening for enjoyment, or to try and hear what your headphones are capable of?

Massive Attack Mezzanine is great for bass (Haxan Cloak Excavation as well), A Moon Shaped Pool is pretty layered, and I reach for some later Autechre for textural stuff.