Inspired by the "Ok Computer" thread, I see that a number of people have favoured tracks with pronounced bass that they use to evaluate equipment and set up. I thought it might be interesting to have a thread where people could offer suggestions.
Perhaps these tracks could be itemised according to whether they:
1. Reveal bass clarity and articulation
2. Present bass slam and impact
3. Present very deep bass
Obviously these are not mutually exclusive categories.
And perhaps this thread should be in one of the other forums. But it is intended to help evaluate Meridian equipment and setup.
Goldie - Digital Roni Size/Reprazent - Watching Windows Massive Attack - Angel, Inertia Creeps etc. Shut Up And Dance - Java Bass (Featuring The Ragga Twins) The Prodigy - The Way It Is, You'll Be Under My Wheels, The Narcotic Suite: Skylined Portishead - It Could Be Sweet
Many more, just going through a few on my laptop at work...
"The Sad Bag Of Shakey Jake" by "Humble Pie". Before I had Meridian Kit, this track was unplayable ref bass. Of course, now its no problem and a great track from Steve Marriott. Chris
No 18 in the Hall of fame I have simple tastes; I am content to settle for the best: GIK monster bass panels, rear wall. QNAP TVS 471i3. Roon into DSP5200SE via 210/ 218 zone... Explorer 2. Bluesound Pulse 2, Mini & Flex. 596v1, 518, Foxsat HD, Sony BDP, Pioneer 5090, 2 Chromecast's for LRB videos. MS200 to F80 for a Roon zone
Patricia Barber's "Mourning Grace" off the Cafe Blue album has some great natural percussive bass. Not super deep, but good for assessing bass dynamics and accuracy.
Also, on blu-ray, Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott's is a fantastic concert and great bass test for electric bass and drum.
I see that I just hit 300 posts, so 300!
Cheers, Ian
Last edited by ISB; 2013-02-0611:37. Reason: Corrections/Additions
Cheers, Ian
1: Roon on Mac Studio, G-Drive 10TB, 818v3, 7200.2, UHD722, LG 77G4 2. 808.6, 8kSE 3. 218, 3200's 4: Rivian R1T - 18 speaker 1200W Elevation by Meridian premium sound system 5. G68ADV (croaked), G98DH (also croaked), [HD621, Syles SL-S/PDIF, MD600 (2*4TB), QNAP 469L (4*3TB), MS200], Ayre MX-R Twenties, TBD
Hans Zimmer. Almost everything he does has powerful, deep bass. The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack has some sub 20hz content in there and loud. Try track 3.
The bass quality is quite reverberant but very pleasant.
Chris Srces: Squeezebox Touch | OSMC Vero 4K+ Procs: HD621 > G61R > Minidsp DDRC-88D Spkrs: 7200.2 + 5KC + 5Ks | iNuke6K > USC15 | iNuke3K > 2 x Crowson T108SS Video: JVC HD950 & 1.9m React3 2.4:1 screen Room: 5.8x2.8m | Various GIK Panels
Love the bass riff on Jeff Waynes War of the Worlds - Horsell Common and the Heat Ray, think it was Herbie Flowers - don't you just love the credits info in Sooloos
Off of the "Grosse Point Blank" soundtrack, Let My Love Open The Door. This track offers long bass tones. If your system is set up properly, you hear deep bass but you also easily hear the higher parts of the song. If your bass is not correct, the bass muddies up the whole track.
Tron Legacy Soundtrack has a wealth of low tones as well.
Last edited by Dollar2; 2013-02-0619:43. Reason: typo
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument. HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6 Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
Thanks for all the interesting replies so far. I offer:
1. reveal bass clarity and articulation Erykah Badu, "Baduism", track 1, 'Rimshot'. The Blind Boys of Alabama, "Spirit of the Century", track 1, 'Jesus Gonna Be There'. Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue", track 1, 'So What'. Britten, "Simple Symphony", 'Playful Pizzicato'.
2. present bass slam and impact Robert Plant, "Raising Sand", track 4, 'Polly Come Home'. Christophe Rousset, "Rameau Overtures", track 17, 'Acante et Cephise'.
3. present very deep bass Happy Mondays, "Greatest Hits", track 3, 'W.F.L.'
Although nice, transient bass is a great test of a speaker, I listen to a lot of organ music. It's not just the range, it's the rapid response to a changed pedal or stop, and just keeping that background note. Lots of systems run out of puff after a few seconds.
Obviously lots of stuff out there, but if you have SACD then Albrecht's transcription of bits of Wagner's Ring for organ is a doozy. So is the last movement of Mahler's Second (again, if you have SACD the Fischer is a cracker) with its basso profundo.
If you have a Meridian processor and have ever wondered what Ambisonics sounds like, any of the York Minster recordings from York Ambisonics will give your system a run for its money. All the organ works are excellent.
Main system: 818v3, 861v6, HD621, Oppo 103D, DSP8000PP, DSP7200SE HC, DSP3200, SGR Sub Family room: HD621, 861v6, DSP5200 L/C/R Headphones: Schiit Mjolnir v1, Sennheiser HD800; (office) iFi iDSDPro, Focal Elegia
Julienne Taylor, Live at the Lyric-Ever Fallen In Love With Someone You Shouldn�t�ve two minutes in there is a nice drum solo. Both weight and speed.
India Arie, Acoustic Soul - Video. Lots of bass.
Claire Martin, He never mentioned love - He never mentioned love. Soft and nice bass, very subtle.
Alison Krauss, Raising Sand - Rich Woman.
The Chemical brothers, Dig your own hole - Block rocking beats. Deep powerful and lasts all the song.
Chris Jones, Moonstruck - Long after you gone. Very nice, very deep, very good.
Daniel Lanois, Shine - I love you. Deep, smooth, like a bass blanket.
Eagles, Hell freezes over - Hotel California. Really nice drums.
Kari Bremnes, Reise - Sangen om Ka Ho Anna Dr�mte om. Bass in plenty.
Terry Eavans, Blues Masters - Down in Mississippi. Speed and weight, a classic in my collection.
Peder af Ugglas, Autum Shuffle - Harvest song. Very well recorded, but hey, its OPUS 3.
Portishead, Dummy - It�s a fire. The sweet and near recorded voice with that deep bass under...its almost magic.
Rammstein, Reise, Reise - Los dark punchy kick drum and more.
Richard Thompson, Mock Tudor - Sibella, Cooksferry Queen, Bathseba smiles. Very much and very good.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Couldn�t stand the weather - Tin Pan Alley. Deep, punchy and heavy. A very good song.
U2, POP - If you wear that velvet dress. Insane amounts...best sounding U2 record IMHO.
Charpentier, Te Deum - March of Kettledrums. My recording is from Hamonia Mundi.
Charpentier, Te Deum - Te Deum, motet for 8 voices, chorus & orchestra, H. 146: Pr�lude. We who live in Europe have never heard this track beore...
Aaron Copland, Billy the Kid - Gun Battle. I own two recordings of this ballet. One with Michael Tilson Thomas and the other wit Antal Dorati. The recording with Dorati is more bombastic, more violent. Tilson recording is smoother, nicer. But listen to both and judge for yourself.
This is a few tips from Sweden.
Happy listening and take it careful.
Best regards, Per Nilsson, Sweden
If anyone wants more info about the records please just send me a PM.
Main: MC200, MS600, DSP5200, DSW, G61R, DSP5200HC, Genelec Two (as rear speakers), Marantz BD8002, G08, 2x TwinStores (1TB each), iPad1, iPad AIR, Isotek Multiway 6 Control:PC on Windows 8, Mac on OS 10.6.8 Computer: Genelec 6010A, IXOS 3,5mm to RCA, AQ Coffee USB Cable, Explorer Kitchen: Tivoli Audio Model 1
the last movement of Mahler's Second (again, if you have SACD the Fischer is a cracker)
The last few tracks of that movement are my standard test for any system. It has such a range of volumes, frequency extremes, and complex textures. I use Rattle's CD simply because I have been listening to it for more than 20 years and think I know how it sounds.
I shivered just thinking about it. I now want to hear it through 8Ks! I have a boxed set of lovely late 1960s Copland recordings, which be conducted himself and were recorded at Walthamstow Town Hall of all places!
Last edited by Carl; 2013-02-0714:44. Reason: Long URL replaced with URL tag and description.
This is my personal account. My dealer account (Clever & Simple - Peter) is now up and running Current equipment G91ADAB, C61R, DSP5000, DSP5000HC Mk3, DSP420s, DSW, HD621, MS200, Oppo BD93, Michell Gyro SE, Mac Mini (with Bel Canto M-Link), PS4, JVC X7 projector, Darbee Image Processor. Control 4 System Controller.
Although nice, transient bass is a great test of a speaker, I listen to a lot of organ music. It's not just the range, it's the rapid response to a changed pedal or stop, and just keeping that background note. Lots of systems run out of puff after a few seconds.
Good point. I find that a good test for that sort of thing is Saint-Saens, "Symphony No. 3 (Organ)", 'Maestoso'. Can the orchestra start on time and be heard with weight and authority after the stupendous crash of the organ chord and its follow-up?
Hello Guys, Some killer bass tracks for you to try,
Arab Strap - Here We Go (from Philophobia album)
The cooper temple Clause - Music Box (from Kick up the Fire)
Idaho - Gone (from Year After Year) not massively bassy but one reviewer once said this was the heaviest song he had ever heard, Heavy as in weight, it feels like it could crush you!!
Portrait of Mr Boogie ( from Sinister soundtrack) great track but from about 2 minutes in...wow
And just incase anyone wants to feel blood drip from their ears!! try this for sheer guitar power, Grinderman - No Pussy Blues
Popular James Taylor, Album, Hourglass, Track 4, Gaia, 4 minutes 10 seconds in comes the bass drum. Please remove precariously placed valuable items from mantlepiece or shelves before exceeding national bass limit of 70. Electric Stuff. Leftfield, Album, Leftism, Track, Play them all, this can really upset the neighbours.
Classical (Organ) Ian Tracey / Yan Pascal Tortelier / BBC Phil at Liverpool Cathedral. Guilmant, Widor and Franck (for me the Widor).
The bottom's low the treble's clear. Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
I would think the 1812 Overture should suffice. Another old school favorite is Bela' Fleck - Flight of the Cosmic Hippo. Just listened to it this weekend. Maybe the first Phil Collins solo album.
Yes Talk. State of Play (Track 4) - there is one note that steps down in a sequence and really drives very very low or Endless Dream a) Silent Spring (Track 7) - which just has the most epic full range attack start. Generally sounds great on DSP kit.
Lenny Kravitz Are You Going To Go My Way Sister. Very warm, very low in parts, very tricky to remain discrete and differentiated from the rest. Exactly the opposite of attack or slam, but really differentiates systems on the bass response and tone. On the same album Are You Going To Go My Way the title track has a great bass guitar fill/solo half way through thats very difficult for systems to keep up with with everything else going on.
Inspired by this thread, I just found this from the album NHOP (Niels- Henning Orsted Pederson) "This Is All I Ask". Thanks to Steve H. Track 10 "Fantasy in D Minor". The album is great with many individual great contributions, but in the context of this thread this track hits the sweet spot. Give it a listen 4:01 of wonderful, sublime double base, but make sure everything is tied down. Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Chris Rea "long is the time and hard is the road" from the "Blue Jukebox" album. Not complex but deep mellow bass that makes for a perfect late night mellow mood.
Chris
No 18 in the Hall of fame I have simple tastes; I am content to settle for the best: GIK monster bass panels, rear wall. QNAP TVS 471i3. Roon into DSP5200SE via 210/ 218 zone... Explorer 2. Bluesound Pulse 2, Mini & Flex. 596v1, 518, Foxsat HD, Sony BDP, Pioneer 5090, 2 Chromecast's for LRB videos. MS200 to F80 for a Roon zone
I didn't have time to read the whole thread so forgive any repeats! OK ones which spring to mind-
John Williams - Jurassic Park Theme on John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999 - very deep bass and quite plentiful, a good, balanced system will reveal texture and weight but not overwhelm the rest of the piece.
Aaron Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man on Copland 100 (Reference Recordings) Eiji Oue, Minnesota Orchestra. The opening bass drum shots are immense and should have impact and 'shake' and a looooot of decay.
TLC 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls', very deep (almost sub) bass. Some systems I've heard (and owned, although not for long!) actually miss the deeper notes completely.
Madonna - Substitute For Love, again very deep bass, not plentiful, but a very low note some systems can't reproduce.
Madonna - Hey Mr DJ, ridiculous amount of well over the top bass.
Bjork - Hyperballad, on Post, also Army of Me. In fact a lot of her music has good bass.
Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow, Paragraph President (whole disc really).
Sky Cries Mary - Fresh Fruits for the Liberation, Moonbathing (great imaging song in general and some very low extension in this track).
David Gray - White Ladder, Sail Away (still the one track, where my sub level needs downward adjustment even when all other tracks play well, this thing works the sub).
David Gray - White Ladder, Sail Away (still the one track, where my sub level needs downward adjustment even when all other tracks play well, this thing works the sub).
Yes, this is one of the few tracks that my preferred MRC decay time doesn't sort out the boominess; but I live with it.
Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.
Black Sabbath: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (the track) Eminem: Lose Yourself Bruce Springsteen: 57 Channels & Nothing On Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush: Don't Give Up.
4 belting songs, too.
Cinema: Meridian 271, 3 x DSP640 (behind screen), 4 x DSP320 (in-ceiling), 4 x DSP3100 (surrounds), 2 x AC12 (interface). 2 x Perlisten D12s subs, Lyngdorf MP40 processor. DT 145" 2.35 AT screen. Sony VW870 projector & S-T lens, Lumagen Radiance Pro. Lounge: Roon, NUC, Kef LS50 Wireless + 2 x REL Gibraltar-2 subs
Got a rollocking tonight, "thats not funny" SWMBO said. "Not That Funny Fleetwood Mac" I replied, "live version". Worth a listen loud 70 to 80 minimum, old bass and drums up front classic. Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
The following tracks will seriously test the quality of your bass,
Bass I love you - bassotronics Alors on danse - solo dub remix - stromae Saltwater - chicane Beasts in the basement - original mix - reso - dubstep onslaught (a real test) Swagger on a million - original mix - durty phresh - dubstep onslaught (as above)
The last two tracks may not be your cup of tea (they are on my sons playlist) but they are amazing tracks for testing bass output, depth and quality.
Start with your volume low!!!!!!!!
861, G98, 568.2, DSP5K, SVS PC 13 Ultra, Pioneer KRP600, LG 77CX, BDI 3379.
Not a "killer" bass track, but if you can get the piano from John Lennon's Imagine in control, you're on the right lines! A truly ghastly recording for such a seminal song (IMHO).
Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.
Has deep abundant synth bass running through most of the tracks. You'll need to throw MRC and room treatments at this one to properly follow the bass lines (and I haven't quite got there yet) but it's definitely a testing disc for your system.
Musically it's rather soundtrack-like (he went on to work in film) so it was probably designed as a showreel, and it can be a bit relentless over the whole album (even if you are a TD aficionado) but one or two tracks at a time can be fun for you and your system alike!
Just about anything from Yello (try The Eye and Pocket Universe) Anything from Shpongled Brian Bromberg Wood and Wood II The Hadouk Trio - all their stuff Lars Danielsson - Pasodoble
Roon/Tidal, SBT, Trinnov ST2 , Twin Devialet D premiers, Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirits, dedicated and treated room. Meridian gear: 568.2mm and DSP5000's acting as TV speakers.
Only tests pure low end, not slam or authority. But Bass Mekanik puts out pure tone frequency CDs. Great for testing exactly how low your system goes, any rattles in furniture, or distortion points. Also, their test sweeps find any room nodes.
Living Room: TV-->Sonos Arc with Symfonisk rears and twin Sonos subs. Also, a set of DSP8000SE with a MiniDSP SHD for stereo listening. Listening Room 1: G65, DSP7000SE, DSP3300, DSP3200 Roon Core: NUC7i7
Nelly Furtado. (Honest!). The Folklore Album, final track: Childhood Dreams. Pipe organ is used in parts of this track and there is plenty of use of the lower registers, 21hz and 16hz notes a plenty
Chris Srces: Squeezebox Touch | OSMC Vero 4K+ Procs: HD621 > G61R > Minidsp DDRC-88D Spkrs: 7200.2 + 5KC + 5Ks | iNuke6K > USC15 | iNuke3K > 2 x Crowson T108SS Video: JVC HD950 & 1.9m React3 2.4:1 screen Room: 5.8x2.8m | Various GIK Panels
CalenW, Did you know that the Meridian processors have a built-in sine wave sweep to help find room resonances? I notice you don't have one in your sig, so this might be of limited use to yourself. Tim
RoPieee Allo DigiOne Signature, 561, DSP5000, DSP33, SW1600, M3. HH1 Number 48
I didn't know that! Now I'm anxious to get home and try it out on the 568.
Living Room: TV-->Sonos Arc with Symfonisk rears and twin Sonos subs. Also, a set of DSP8000SE with a MiniDSP SHD for stereo listening. Listening Room 1: G65, DSP7000SE, DSP3300, DSP3200 Roon Core: NUC7i7
Hi EllisDJ Thanks for the recommendation Lindsey Stirling. As always just under the free postage price from Amazon so had to buy Christy Moore album as well. Win Win I suppose. Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Not so much "Killer" but "Class", however very much worth a mention here. Melvin Lee Davis. A bass player with real "Class" on 4, 5, 6 and 7! string "Ken Smith" custom instruments. Albums Genre : Music Kindred Spirits (with Tracy Carter) Home Land Tomorrow's Yesterdays Nature's Serenade
These albums available reasonably priced in US will test your systems, but hard to come by and expensive in UK, but well worth the effort of searching these out. All on the ubiquitous Spotify.
Please Enjoy Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Although nice, transient bass is a great test of a speaker, I listen to a lot of organ music. It's not just the range, it's the rapid response to a changed pedal or stop, and just keeping that background note. Lots of systems run out of puff after a few seconds.
Good point. I find that a good test for that sort of thing is Saint-Saens, "Symphony No. 3 (Organ)", 'Maestoso'. Can the orchestra start on time and be heard with weight and authority after the stupendous crash of the organ chord and its follow-up?
May I mention the Eschenbach recording of the Saint-Saens with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Olivier Latry on Ondine SACD? A live recording in a natural acoustic and, although to my ears this does result in one or two balance problems, the dynamics on SACD are spectacular.
Daft Punk - Doin' it right The notes at 29" and 38" demolish walls ! (MRC off)
Patrick O'Hearn - Patience my friend (Bass guitar - good for tuning MRC)
will.i.am - Geekin ( Note this defeats the bass protection model in my DSP5200s so take it easy or you may smell the music )
Pendulum - Tarantula. All round mental track but with EBA on it stays surprisingly lucid... Try this on a lesser system and it's a mess.
Linkin Park - FRGT/10. Slam, depth. (Interesting for seeing how clear the vocal (rap) stays when the bass is thumping out) EBA cleans this up. (Hardly anyone I know likes this track so don't waste your money unless you like LP and rap)
David Arnold - On Her Majesty's Secret Service (fast bass guitar plus some deep plunge effects). Good for timing checks / gauging room reverb. Good changes of pace.
I'm about to recommend something I've never listened to!
Have just bought 2 Rel G2 subs & the owner's manual has a setup section & Rel specifically recommend Track 4 from the James Horner OST to Sneakers (Columbia records). Reasons given?.....
"This has a repetitive bass drum throughout that gives plenty of time to move the woofer around, but more importantly the venue was quite large for this recording and therefore it has a very deep and large-scale bass signature. This type of track is perfect for the setup process & should be played at the highest reasonable level expected for system playback".
The CD seems pretty rare but I managed to pick one up on eBay & look forward to putting it through its paces in a few days' time.
Cinema: Meridian 271, 3 x DSP640 (behind screen), 4 x DSP320 (in-ceiling), 4 x DSP3100 (surrounds), 2 x AC12 (interface). 2 x Perlisten D12s subs, Lyngdorf MP40 processor. DT 145" 2.35 AT screen. Sony VW870 projector & S-T lens, Lumagen Radiance Pro. Lounge: Roon, NUC, Kef LS50 Wireless + 2 x REL Gibraltar-2 subs
I'm about to recommend something I've never listened to!
Track 4 from the James Horner OST to Sneakers (Columbia records).
I did something I've never done before. I bought a CD on the recommendation of someone who has never heard the piece.
I received the "Sneakers" CD from Amazon yesterday and have played it complete 4 time and the recommended track 4 "Cosmo...Old Friend" numerous times. I am at a disadvantage at this time as I am in Los Angels and my signature system with its 4 subs is in Las Vegas. Therefore I'm listening on an analog system with Pioneer S1-ex speakers. These Andrew Jones designed speakers are quite good but their bass is -3dB at 28 Hz.
When you say this was recorded in a large facility, I believe you. I felt like I was two thirds of the way back at the Hollywood bowl on a night when the coyotes were sleeping. The drum beat is as advertised, repeating and resonant. I would not use the term "killer" with "Cosmo..." as the drum was beat softly. I would say the CD would be best loved by those who enjoy classical or perhaps soft Jazz. I look forward to playing it on the Home system in a few weeks when I return to sin city.
Gary
My Kit: Trinnov Altitude 32,Oppo BDP 203, Sony 600es, Martin Logan Neoliths Mains with VTL Siegfried II's, ML CLX's, ML Renaissance, 5 ML Theaters,13 ML Vanquish, 6 ML Edges, 6 ML Axis' 8 Velodyne DD-18+'s, Pass Labs 600.8,Pass Labs 160.8, Pass labs 160.5, Bryston 14B-SST, 6B-SST,6 Bryston 9BSST^2's, 14' Stewart Screen, Berkely Alpha DAC RS
I can report, as I have it now. I really like this album (Home by Rudimental), so does my wife which surprised me a little as garage is not really her style (she prefers shed LOL).
The Spoons track has a deep kick drum running all the way though, it's deep but that's not the 'killer' bass, about half way in there's a much lower bass line that really tests the 8ks. That deep bass emerges ever now and again and right at the end track descends into an even lower register.
It's good fun to play esp. with the volume cranked up for a while.
David Gray - White Ladder, Sail Away (still the one track, where my sub level needs downward adjustment even when all other tracks play well, this thing works the sub).
Yes, this is one of the few tracks that my preferred MRC decay time doesn't sort out the boominess; but I live with it.
FYI, having now listened to this track through STAX SR-009s, the boominess / distortion on this track is, IMO, a recording error / artefact. I actually used this as a test track for MRC and realize now that this was a mistake: this boominess should not be corrected beyond normal MRC; a real shame as it's a lovely track.
Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.
IIRC that album was a 4 track home recording. I forget on which track but you can hear odd house noises somewhere on it. Terrific considering he released it himself.
Most people won't even hear the bass to comment on it in the real world. Chris
No 18 in the Hall of fame I have simple tastes; I am content to settle for the best: GIK monster bass panels, rear wall. QNAP TVS 471i3. Roon into DSP5200SE via 210/ 218 zone... Explorer 2. Bluesound Pulse 2, Mini & Flex. 596v1, 518, Foxsat HD, Sony BDP, Pioneer 5090, 2 Chromecast's for LRB videos. MS200 to F80 for a Roon zone
Peace Orchestra - Peace Orchestra, track 6, Henry. If you have listened to this there's no turning back:-) wins on all 3 points.
Living: Trinnov Alt32, 271, DSP7200SE, DSP7200HCSE, DSP5200SL, DSP320.2 heights, DSW.2, LG OLED 77C8P, Xbox One X, AppleTV 4K. Office: DSP5200SE, 218 Zone Controller
Just listened to 'Trust in you' by Paul Brady, 2nd track on Spirits Colliding. I'd forgotten how potent the intro bass is. Not often you hear a bass guitar growl like that.
Control:15, DSP7200SE's, MS200, F80 Director not in use
I have a KEF demo disc entitled The KEF Uni-Q Demonstration: Various Artists, which was given to me by David Brown of Technosound (now no longer trading). There is a track on it by Eddy Louis's, (French Jazz Hammond organist), called Blues for Klook. This track will test the bass on any system, depth, slam etc. It is not easy to get hold of but is well worth it. There is a version that can be heard on YouTube if you can endure the quality and certainly does not convey the scope to the track.
Control:15, DSP7200SE's, MS200, F80 Director not in use
Dynamic range with both strings and huge bass synth tracks is excellent. In places more accessible than some of her material; others times just as weird I like it.
The daft punk bass lines on their Random Access Memories album have got some great texture and detail present, I have used it to show off the dynamic range of my 5k's to a few people who don't understand or believe what digital actives can do. All converted!
T
Lounge: DSP33's, MS200, QNAP (Storage and Core), G68D, HD421 Family Room: DSP5000 Kitchen: F80 Portable: Explorer2
In my frustration with MQA / Roon / Squeezebox / Explorer2 and the state of the world in general, I've just treated my neighbours to a quick blast of :-
I actually found out about the track from this video which was one of the things that piqued my interest in the big DSP's & finally led to my choice / purchase. Not that massive SPL's were the reason, but the sense of control - and the sheer clarity + punch ! I've not regretted the decision for a minute, and very very occasionally, this is a great track with which to let the 8000's really fly....
I am just listening to Kaleidoscalp by Buckethead - you may find it similarly cathartic of frustrations. Only tried it through DSP33s so far
"Wonderful perfect quadraphonic sound with distortion levels so low as to make a brave man weep" - Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council
Just added (from Tidal) TRON Legacy soundtrack albums (original and reconfigured) to my lib. I'll check them out when I'm at home (the office is not the place for bass
The deep bass on TRON Legacy will really put your system to the test... In my "old" 3x5200HC setup all speakers displayed "HOT" on the display after 15 minutes at level 85 It sounds smashing in Trifield as well.
Just downloaded the FLAC of "Grenadilla Splinters" by Exhaust.
The second track "Jogging" is doing wild things to my DSP33s and my office windows!
"Wonderful perfect quadraphonic sound with distortion levels so low as to make a brave man weep" - Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council
I'm wondering what kind of office you work in where you can play Exhaust! I downloaded this and have listened to the album several times .. really enjoyed the drum work, reminded me of Scratch Acid/Big Boys drummer Rey Washam.
"Wonderful perfect quadraphonic sound with distortion levels so low as to make a brave man weep" - Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council
I have DSP5000's at my office (and that's not at Home ) Actually have two sets and loaned one set to a co-worker.
It's actually what got me hooked on wanting to learn how to play the fiddle.
- Fiddler (IMHO)
If you think listening to music is fun, try learning an instrument. HT: G61RSL, 4x5K, 5.5KHC, 2xSC6000, Transporter, HD621, Philips BDP7501 4K, Tivo, 65" LG OLED 4K C6 Computer: Foobar2000, 5K, Mojo, HiFiMan HE1000 V2
Try this Kaleo "A/B" Track 2, "Way Down We Go". It certainly does go down, so does Track 4 "Glass House". In fact the whole album is great if you are in the right receptive mood.
MQA 44k, play loud but ensure valuables are tied down.
Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Hans Zimmer : Blade runner 2049 soundtrack (on tidal)... woofers going wild..... any track
Roon/Tidal, SBT, Trinnov ST2 , Twin Devialet D premiers, Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirits, dedicated and treated room. Meridian gear: 568.2mm and DSP5000's acting as TV speakers.
Hans Zimmer is really terrific. I often go back to the Gladiator OST. That was heavy in places but on an orchestral scale. The Bladerunner OST is awesome on an electronic scale.
Reminds me of the panel discussion between Zimmer, Numan, Jarre and Moby. Much respect between that group.
If you like the slightly “other-worldliness” of this sound track then try Arca’s track called Mutant. That is another extreme bass work out. MQA too which I think really helps with the visceral presentation.
+1 on Hans Zimmer. The Interstellar soundtrack is quite bass heavy with the use of the organ, but it wasn't until I went to see Interstellar Live at the Royal Albert Hall that I realised a domestic hifi system is hard pushed to reproduce a live organ.
Not what I recognise as a Soundtrack or Album really - I was looking forward to a decent selection from the window-shattering cacophony in the film - far preferable to the dross from Doug Laurent that I wasted 43 minutes on last night...
The KEF Uni-Q Demonstration Disc, I heard a few mentions to this disk having excellent Bass on it, I have googled and eBayed but can't find a copy. I don't suppose anyone has a FLAC or ISO copy that I could borrow to try it?
Bassotronics has to be one of the ultimate sub bass experiences. Most of it is tosh, sadly. Harsh electronic sounding music mostly. Bass I Love You is probably the best known track but it isn't something I generally want to sit down and listen to.
There is one track that is worth a listen, and actually sounds pleasant. I quite often play it if I want to feel the infrasonics.
It's Bass Is Strong from the album "Bass Is My Religion". It's quite dreamy and very far removed from most of their typical sort of music.
Headline figures... the track starts with bass at 19hz and then drops to 14hz before rising to 28hz and 36hz.
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Kothluwalawa by Eat Static. I have lost my original disc though, and I only have a 256kbit/s rip. Very sad. It's not super low frequency, but the bass track is a didgeridoo. I used to listen to this on repeat while playing X-COM. Edit: I just ordered an as-new CD on amazon =)
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No What is "Slam"? My interpretation of "Slam" is the sound of someone close, leaving the room after comprehensively loosing a debate. "Attack" comes later. Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Ok, this is neither a movie or a "track", but the music in Dark (on Netflix) is wonderfully bassy. Like TV show composers figured out that many people now have hifi and even subwoofers connected to their TVs these days. Bass so loud, made me wonder if I was sitting in a node.
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Since taking ownership of my M6’s, I’m always impressed by the title track from Fourplay’s album, ‘Heartfelt’. Nathan East’s slow bass line is visceral.
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504 #2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
+1 love that track. Also Stevie Ray Vaughn's Tin Pan Alley has very deep but musical bass lines.
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Morphine, cure for pain. I found it reading a speaker review of something I was interested in. The bassist uses a 2 string bass? The title track is pretty good.
If you can tolerate some modern ‘hip hop’ Mike Posner real good kid from track 3 sounds like it was mastered with Meridian speakers.
I saw The Who play 5:15 live and John Entwistle rips, but I struggle to get that song in all its glory at home maybe I have to stuff the 8k’s into the corners, lol
Many years ago, with my Meridian 551, 555, 506, and A500’s, playing Elgar’s ‘Coronation March’ was only truly fulfilling by the insertion of a borrowed Meridian 518 and 566: as without them, the low-level sound emanating from the Organ’s 32’ Bass Pipe could not be heard at all.
By comparison; today I’ve been listening to a November 2019 recording of Elgar’s ‘Coronation March’ (24/96) by the London Symphony Orchestra - conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Oh, my! Through my M6’s, that same 32’ Bass Pipe could almost rattle the fillings in your teeth! Deep and visceral.
Stunning.
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504 #2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
Do you have a sub to produce that 16Hz note? I not sure that the M6s can reproduce it. The upper harmonics, yes.
I tried playing that track from Spotify but I didn't find the 16Hz notes were particularly strong. Barely noticeable at all! (so I'm not sure if it's the 2019 version they have there).
Nelly Furtado's "Childhood Dream's" from the "Folklore" album, has some very strong 32' pipe organ notes.
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Nowhere did I ever claim that my M6’s could reproduce 16Hz (!).
Originally Posted by spinaltap
today I’ve been listening to a November 2019 recording of Elgar’s ‘Coronation March’ (24/96) by the London Symphony Orchestra - conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Oh, my! Through my M6’s, that same 32’ Bass Pipe could almost rattle the fillings in your teeth! Deep and visceral.
A 32 foot pipe has a fundamental note of 16Hz. What did I miss?
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Simple: with a 16 bit Meridian CD player in an all-analogue system, the presence of a pipe organ was completely masked - which was only revealed by the insertion of a Meridian 518/566.
With a modern 24/96 Qobuz source, Meridian DSP loudspeakers (such as the M6) completely reveal the majesty and low level detail presence of the Organ in all its glory (which is unlikely to be revealed by a Spotify source).
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504 #2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
Ok, fair enough but we're in the 'killer bass tracks' thread and you talked about teeth rattling bass from a 32 foot 16Hz pipe via M6s. It seems you're really talking about the qualitative differences of 16 bit etc. versus 96/24 and how the overall pipe organ is reproduced, is that right?
The Elgar track you referred to (at least on Spotify) really doesn't have any power behind that 32 footer. Perhaps the 96/24 version is a different master that does but even so, there would need to be a capable sub in the system to be able to reproduce that deep note with enough power to rattle the listening space.
There are a couple of classical tracks that do have extremely powerful 32 foot pipe organ notes present that I know of (both on CD and Spotify etc):
- Gunnar Idenstam's 'Vesper' on the album 'Cathedral Music'. - 'Poco Adagio' from the album 'Symphony No. 3 Organ' performed by 'Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra'.
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There are a couple of classical tracks that do have extremely powerful 32 foot pipe organ notes present that I know of (both on CD and Spotify etc):
- Gunnar Idenstam's 'Vesper' on the album 'Cathedral Music'. - 'Poco Adagio' from the album 'Symphony No. 3 Organ' performed by 'Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra'.
Thanks for those tracks, I've added them to my library ready to give them a spin on my 8Ks.
Exodus - I don’t need to say by Bob ...often overlooked Back to life - Soul to Soul North East Tradewinds by Mad Professor Ready steady go - Oakenfold South Saturn Delta/ South Saturn Delta - Jimi ....different kind of baseline.
Wild card here: Pungent Effulgent album by Ozick Tentacles . E techno but with baseline.
Towers of Dub, The Orb Faster kill pussy cat, Paul Oakenfold Radiation ruling/no protection, Massive Attack vs Mad Professor
I’m with you one tracks 1 and 2 ... but didn’t really hear any deep bass on #2 ... I played the standard mix (track 1 of 7 on the EP, 3:13) I'll checkout the other versions.
Regards, Carl
Update: ... track 6 is getting there ... Faster Kill Pussy Cat (Eddie Baez’s Future Disco Edit).
I have seen lots of suggestions in this topic I can fully support, anything by Yello, So What by Miles Davis, just to name two.
Some others I enjoy every now and again; Arne Domnerus - Antiphone Blues, a wonderfull combination of sax and an organ, recorded in a church, issued by Proprius Brian Bromberg - BASSically speaking Thom Rotella -Thom Rotella Band, specifically Little Chubby and Friends, on DMP
DSP3200, AC200, Prime, Prime PS, MS600 Audeze LCD-X
Former owner of M20, 502, 507, G92, 800v2, DSP5200
+1 for Brian Bromberg albums. Thanks for your recommendation I have not listened to BASSically speaking and did not find it on Tidal. I will try to hunt this down to add to the 15 in library.
Hector
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Interesting Might I ask which version of the above you were you listening to the MQA. 44k or the Digitally Remastered version. They are a little different, just wondered which you prefer?
AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD. DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG. STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini A capella to Zydeco
Even with the volume set low at 25 for background music, with DSW.2 set to ‘music’ via Meridian 218, and Hans Zimmer selected via Roon/Tidal, the Sub-Bass (not just the Bass) on many of his compositions really makes its presence felt.
Not an Actor, nor married to Jamie-Lee Curtis.
#1: DSP5200SE|DSW.2|218|210|506.2|504 #2: Prime/PSU|SOtM sMS-200 Mini NEO SE|Focal Stellia
Artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Album: The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Track: Tin Pan Alley (aka Roughest Place In Town)
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