Songs to demo clarity of sound systems?

4rch3nemy

Hey guys, I just started working in home theatre sales and I need demo songs. My tastes aren't really mainstream enough to know a lot of the pop music that will sell systems so I've been struggling with the audio aspect of it all.

Basically, I want 1:30 of music from a pop song or 5 that will show off some of the nuances of the song ("listen for the fingers sliding on the fretboard" "listen for how you can hear his breath before he starts singing") with it coming to a really good part at around the 1:30 mark so I can turn it down and leave them wanting more.


Does this make sense?

I hope you guys can help! Thanks a lot!

Daemonion

Well, you're going to want anything recorded with really high production value. Getting a better set of speakers won't necessarily make "texture" like fretboard noises and what not appear out of nowhere - they need to be part of the original recording, which is why you want songs with such. Definitely demo from the CD, not an mp3 player, if possible. Electronic versions of songs you buy from iTunes or whatever literally have frequencies removed from the original recordings to make for smaller file sizes. The best sound will be the original source.


Here is a powerful instrumental piece from the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack. As the song comes to a close you can hear the solo violinist's fingers pressing the strings against his fretboard (is that what they call it?), and the song builds up quite nicely and covers a lot of range.

You'll want to start at the 3:00 mark and play to the end (about 1:32 long). Also, pardon shitty YouTube quality, it really, really doesn't do the song justice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iigg8oLQkvQ

For some Jazz with pretty good production value, here is a song by The Bad Plus. The instruments all come out really clean and it sounds like they are right there in front of you. I would start with the intro (put on 480p):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA59EFUv5S8

Some electronic from Amon Tobin that has good range, but not too much bass(start at around 2:57; again, pardon shitty youtube):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA59EFUv5S8

Good quality electronic with emphasis on the bass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82l7K7kQvDk
http://www.we7.com/#/song/Freeland/Bring-It

Sorry for no Pop recommendations, but hope these help.

Scrublet

And there never really will be much for pop recommendations on this. If you're truly trying to sell a system you need a great range of dynamics and a subtle touches to the music. You should definitely keep some classical orchestral pieces around (like a John Williams soundtrack or a professionally recorded live performance). The real question I have for you is, what kind of sound systems are you trying to market in your store:

$300-1000 box setups
$1000-4000 "mainstream high-end" receiver and speaker setups
$4000-10000 unquestionably high-end setups
$10000+ audiophile land

I ask because the answer is different especially at those higher price ranges. In my personal day to day life talking with people, observing what I see at all the places I find myself, and watching the general trends of the market, I can say that premium AV equipment is not at the forefront of the American purchasing trends. This is true with TV (go ask Pioneer about that) and it's doubly true with sound. If you are at the high end, I'd be saying vinyl records of this or that recording cause your customer base will expect that. If you're at the middle end, the dude above me probably covered enough though I'd still say throw in some orchestra. If you're working at a Best Buy-styled home theater department I'd say this is a pointless conversation.

dlinfiniti

depending on your market, most hometheatre sales are done with extreme bass and a michael bay movie
i'm serious
go to and of bose's show rooms and see what they have on
i would suggest getting a blueray action movie, popping it and and let customers feel the explosions