Help Improving SQ for two channel?

[JengaHit]

I’ve heard a couple live performances with a brass and get what you’re saying now!

Yeah, acoustic music recorded in actual non-studio performing venues (concert halls, churches, small jazz clubs, etc.) will test your system--though a well-recorded studio performance that isn't over processed (like a lot of rock or pop) can also work. In my experience classical and jazz vocal recordings and choral music are very revealing. Massed voices--esp singing over an orchestra at full tilt--will distort and won't be reproduced clearly if your system isn't up to snuff. On the best choral recordings I can clearly hear both individual voices and the blended whole over the orchestra. Soloists will also be clear, bell-like, free of "hash", and hall ambience/decay should be evident. And go to a live performance in a well-regarded venue of something like Verdi's Requiem or Carmina Burana for a point of reference. I listen to a lot of rock and pop too, but I've found the way producers over process these recordings makes them less useful evaluation tools.

 

[Grant.M]

Yeah, acoustic music recorded in actual non-studio performing venues (concert halls, churches, small jazz clubs, etc.) will test your system--though a well-recorded studio performance that isn't over processed (like a lot of rock or pop) can also work. In my experience classical and jazz vocal recordings and choral music are very revealing. Massed voices--esp singing over an orchestra at full tilt--will distort and won't be reproduced clearly if your system isn't up to snuff. On the best choral recordings I can clearly hear both individual voices and the blended whole over the orchestra. Soloists will also be clear, bell-like, free of "hash", and hall ambience/decay should be evident. And go to a live performance in a well-regarded venue of something like Verdi's Requiem or Carmina Burana for a point of reference. I listen to a lot of rock and pop too, but I've found the way producers over process these recordings makes them less useful evaluation tools.

I played some suggested classical music that I downloaded from hdtracks and I honestly believe my speakers just aren’t up to snuff, and I’m with you on good source material to put a speaker through it’s paces. I’m now putting money aside to pick up a pair of Focal 1028be’s. I might go with something else when I start auditioning speakers, but those will be able to grow with my system and will definitely be the last thing I upgrade next.

 

[JengaHit]

I played some suggested classical music that I downloaded from hdtracks and I honestly believe my speakers just aren’t up to snuff, and I’m with you on good source material to put a speaker through it’s paces. I’m now putting money aside to pick up a pair of Focal 1028be’s. I might go with something else when I start auditioning speakers, but those will be able to grow with my system and will definitely be the last thing I upgrade next.

Have read positive and rave reviews of the Focals. Good foundation. As for test music, some of my go-to evaluation recordings are:
- Verdi Requiem & Operatic Choruses. Robert Shaw cond, Atlanta Symphony Orch & Chorus (Telarc) - specifically the mvts Dies irae, Mors stupebit, Liber scriptus, Ingemisco, Libera me
- Verdi Requiem - Blu ray disc of live performance at Teatro Alla Scala. Daniel Barenboim cond, Orch & Chorus Teatro Alla Scala (Decca/Unitel Classica). Same mvts as Shaw recording.
- Ella and Louis. Ella and Louis Again. (Verve)
- Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, recorded live (Columbia/Sony)
- Music from "Good Night, and Good Luck". Featuring Diane Reeves (Concord Jazz)

 

[Grant.M]

Have read positive and rave reviews of the Focals. Good foundation. As for test music, some of my go-to evaluation recordings are:
- Verdi Requiem & Operatic Choruses. Robert Shaw cond, Atlanta Symphony Orch & Chorus (Telarc) - specifically the mvts Dies irae, Mors stupebit, Liber scriptus, Ingemisco, Libera me
- Verdi Requiem - Blu ray disc of live performance at Teatro Alla Scala. Daniel Barenboim cond, Orch & Chorus Teatro Alla Scala (Decca/Unitel Classica). Same mvts as Shaw recording.
- Ella and Louis. Ella and Louis Again. (Verve)
- Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, recorded live (Columbia/Sony)
- Music from "Good Night, and Good Luck". Featuring Diane Reeves (Concord Jazz)

Awesome, thank you for typing all that out! I took screenshot and posted it to my notes for future reference, I’ll definitely give those a listen.

 

[JengaHit]

You might already be aware, but I noticed the Focal Electra 1028 be's are on clearance at a lot of online retailers now at $5K, marked down from msrp $7K. Music Direct, World Wide Stereo (via their own site & their Amazon store), Upscale Audio, Crutchfield, to name a few. Have fun auditioning!

 

[Grant.M]

You might already be aware, but I noticed the Focal Electra 1028 be's are on clearance at a lot of online retailers now at $5K, marked down from msrp $7K. Music Direct, World Wide Stereo (via their own site & their Amazon store),Upscale Audio, Crutchfield, to name a few. Have fun auditioning!

I saw that, and I’ve found a few on the used market for $3.5k-$4k as well. Thank you!