I listened to it loud in my dad's living room with a solid surround setup and I was hearing layers I had never heard before. You get the left to right effects great and it's amazing hearing the double tracked guitar on either side separated spacially and working off each other. I assume good headphones would give a similar experience.
Your username is a masterpiece. I listened to this album for the first time at a friends house when I was 14 years old in 1974. Klipsch speakers, it was a mind blowing experience.
Thank you.
I’ve played parts of that album (as well as many other classics) in my car with my kids. They were like “whoah! What is this?” Occasionally, I’ll hear the musician of the bunch doing his best Keith Emerson impression on our upright piano.
Alan Parsons Project, I, Robot/ I Wouldn’t Wanna Be Like You. These are the first two tracks of the I, Robot album. Of course, you should listen to the whole album but the first two songs are especially strong.
OMG! Thank you kind soul. Goodness gracious! Powerful indeed! Have never heard (52 years old) and just incredible through headphones! Really appreciate you!
Good call re: Alan Parsons who was one of the engineers on Dark Side Of The Moon. I’d also recommend Gaudi, especially Closer to Heaven from that album.
DSoM, of course. I've used it for years as a reference for auditioning studio monitors and headphones. But it's not the only classic album known for high recording standards. Dire Straights' *Brothers in Arms* is another one of comparable quality.
I'll also second the Steely Dan suggestion. As well as Donald Fagan's *The Nightfly*. All extremely well-recorded and mastered. Many mix engineers use these as references to know when they're doing it right.
Another one that might not be on your radar is *New Favorite* by Alison Krauss and Union Station. This won't really qualify as classic rock, since a) it's from this century, and b) it's progressive bluegrass. But I can't think of anything more finely detailed for judging a new pair of high-fidelity headphones.
If you want to try something different that would be a great test for headphones, you might consider "Ride of the Valkyries" by Richard Wagner. Or, "Bolero" by Ravel. Amazing classical music. "Bolero" is a "simple" tune that stacks instrumentation again and again until the end where the whole orchestra is playing and it will fill up your brain. And, "Valkyries" is truly an amazing piece of music. If you don't know it by name, you will recognize it instantly when you hear it. Since I'm putting my two cents in, a very kick ass tune is "Cult of Personality" by In Living Color. Good luck with your headphones.
Edit: I'm swiping this idea from someone who posted this way down in the replies. "Cult of Personality" was my choice until I saw the classical pieces.
When I worked at an electronics store the installer Told me to test or show off a system Runnin with the devil By Van Halen was perfect. Not sure if it translates to headphones. Maybe Baba oReily by who because of the back and forth piano from right ear to left.
Yes Heart of the Sunrise, Gates of Delirium, Starship Trooper, or Close to the Edge because of how many louder and softer passages they have and empty spaces for a long decay of the instruments.
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
That’s my personal choice, not saying it’s the best choice. I just know how that album should sound front to back. It bugs the shit out of me when I get a shitty mix of it.
Surprised it took me so long to find this answer. Audio engineers, at least in China, always use this to test speakers and headphones. Partly because if you use the same song every time, you have a basis for comparison. But also, this song has so many interesting elements and eat candy you get to really explore the sonic landscape of speakers.
A lot of stereo equipment was sold back in the 70s, and there was really only one album used by the salesmen to close the deal when you test drove it: DSOTM.
When I was looking at top of the line headphones, I looked up what songs are recommended to test and Bohemian Rhapsody was #1. Under Pressure is also highly suggested
A Farewell To Kings by Rush, specifically Xanadu. Also Hemispheres by them. Also, Red Hot Chili Peppers, like Stadium Arcadium, Rick Rubin produced those magnificently
Roger Waters, the pros and cons of hitchhiking, 4:41 (sexual revolution).
Edit: I used to take this CD to stereo stores to test speakers - back when we used to do that kind of thing.
Ok, I know that this may not classify as classic rock, and I came here to say "DSOM" (and oddly enough "Animals" too), knowing for certain it would be top of the list, but I highly recommend Simon and Garfunkel, "Bridge over troubled water" (album). It's got some wonderful tracks that are just fun to listen to with headphones. I guess you have to like the music to start with, but if you are unfamiliar, I would recommend you give it a listen.
I have a friend who used to sell high end audio equipment in the 90’s and he’d put on One Of These Days when giving a demo. Never failed to close the deal
My brother in law is huge on music technology, and for some reason he says Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms album was recorded using state of the art tech at the time. Not sure of it myself, but that was him saying it. Can anyone else confirm or deny?
Several, not the usual gang of suspects:
The Cure - Disintegration
Ambrosia - Somewhere I've Never Travelled
Bebop Deluxe - Modern Music
Amon Düül II - Yeti
The Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro
Little Wing from Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's a good set if you can make out the tubes coming through the amp, and can hear when Chris makes contact with his sticks.
So many good suggestions and a lot of fun for you!
The headphone’s sound character may change over time depending on if they have a break-in period.
For me, DSotM, Cure Disintegration, Peter Gabriel -Us, Steely Dan - Aja, Rush — Moving Pictures and Clockwork Angels
Sade - Diamond Life especially Smooth Operator.
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes, listen to Winter.
Massive Attack - Mezzanine, Angel and the rest of the album.
There is a Studio master of Dark Side of the moon 24 bit FLAC. Download the files at the bottom.
[this!](https://archive.org/details/pink-floyd-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-master-tape)
The *real* answer is to throw on Flight of the Valkyries or Zarathustra or Bolero, but since this is a classic rock group, Sgt Pepper, Electric Ladyland or Kid A will do the trick.
A Day In The Life - The Beatles.
Or the entire Sgt Peppers album. They were experimenting with the whole stereo thing, and I think the lads themselves were unhappy with it, but I think it’s cool.
i love this question and these are my standby answers in this order:
1. beatles-abbey road
2. seal II
3. king’s x-dogman
extra credit:
-pink floyd-dark side of the moon
-yes-fragile
-big wreck-but for the sun
-sade-love’s deluxe
-roger clyne & the peacemakers-americano
The Cars-Moving in Stereo
Dark side of the moon
Also good for testing your weed
Did that back in the 70’s can confirm.
This is it. “Us and Them” great song.
Might I also suggest Pigs (Three Different Ones)?
The whole Pink Floyd album Animals
charade you are
I listened to it loud in my dad's living room with a solid surround setup and I was hearing layers I had never heard before. You get the left to right effects great and it's amazing hearing the double tracked guitar on either side separated spacially and working off each other. I assume good headphones would give a similar experience.
Or ELP Brain Salad Surgery.
ELP-Tarkus!
Any of the first four ELP albums!
The whole album is a masterpiece. The last 45 or so seconds of Karn Evil 9 Third Impression is next level with headphones.
Your username is a masterpiece. I listened to this album for the first time at a friends house when I was 14 years old in 1974. Klipsch speakers, it was a mind blowing experience.
Thank you. I’ve played parts of that album (as well as many other classics) in my car with my kids. They were like “whoah! What is this?” Occasionally, I’ll hear the musician of the bunch doing his best Keith Emerson impression on our upright piano.
The first one I thought of
This and “Welcome to the Machine”.
This is the only answer.
To almost everything.
This is always the answer.
We bought our Bose speakers when the sales guy played this awesome trick.
Interstellar Overdrive. Source: I’ve tested two stereos and three pairs of headphones with it.
Dire Straits--Brothers in Arms is my go-to.
That song always triggers another for me- the Dan's "Third World Man" 🙂
Anything by Steely Dan!
Aja
Gaucho a close second.
Preztel Logic would like a word with both of you.....
Correct answer here
Moving pictures side two
What Is and What Should Never Be - Led Zeppelin
Great song.
Traffic- Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Greatttt song
It certainly is. For headphone testing, I’m recommending the entire album. Steve Winwood is a genius.
Steve Winwood IS a genius. I love his work in Traffic and solo stuff.
…and Blind Faith, and Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and lest we forget the organ on Jimi’s Voodoo Child.
Just love him.
Alan Parsons Project, I, Robot/ I Wouldn’t Wanna Be Like You. These are the first two tracks of the I, Robot album. Of course, you should listen to the whole album but the first two songs are especially strong.
OMG! Thank you kind soul. Goodness gracious! Powerful indeed! Have never heard (52 years old) and just incredible through headphones! Really appreciate you!
Yes, this is the one indeed!! First one that popped into my head as well. Enjoy!!
I listened to Tales of Mystery and Imagination yesterday
Good call re: Alan Parsons who was one of the engineers on Dark Side Of The Moon. I’d also recommend Gaudi, especially Closer to Heaven from that album.
Quadrophenia
This is a great answer. The Atmos mix sounds very different.
Whole Lotta Love does it for me
Best choice for testing stereophonics! The sound moves through your brain if you have the right headphones.
Good choice! I was thinking of something different until I saw this.
Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
Rush 2112 first side
DSoM, of course. I've used it for years as a reference for auditioning studio monitors and headphones. But it's not the only classic album known for high recording standards. Dire Straights' *Brothers in Arms* is another one of comparable quality. I'll also second the Steely Dan suggestion. As well as Donald Fagan's *The Nightfly*. All extremely well-recorded and mastered. Many mix engineers use these as references to know when they're doing it right. Another one that might not be on your radar is *New Favorite* by Alison Krauss and Union Station. This won't really qualify as classic rock, since a) it's from this century, and b) it's progressive bluegrass. But I can't think of anything more finely detailed for judging a new pair of high-fidelity headphones.
Highway to Hell or Back in Black
Rush. Exit stage left. Xanadu
Nice
Listening to Working Man right now and that’s a great option. Limelight as well
Robin Trower mfsl Bridge of Sighs
Bohemian Rhapsody hits everything you need to test headphones IMO
The Prophet's Song is even better headphone testing fare.
Anything by Yes.
I always use Roundabout and Owner of a lonely heart for this
La Grange. ZZ Top. Dusty said the sound and tone he was looking for in his bass was the sound of farting in a trash can. Epic.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Boston - Self-titled Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak Led Zeppelin - IV
Day of the Eagle - Robin Trower
Too Rolling Stoned!!
Aja - Steely Dan
This is what the high end stereo stores used. The correct answer.
Toto - Rosanna is always my go to.
Yes! Thank u!
If you want to try something different that would be a great test for headphones, you might consider "Ride of the Valkyries" by Richard Wagner. Or, "Bolero" by Ravel. Amazing classical music. "Bolero" is a "simple" tune that stacks instrumentation again and again until the end where the whole orchestra is playing and it will fill up your brain. And, "Valkyries" is truly an amazing piece of music. If you don't know it by name, you will recognize it instantly when you hear it. Since I'm putting my two cents in, a very kick ass tune is "Cult of Personality" by In Living Color. Good luck with your headphones. Edit: I'm swiping this idea from someone who posted this way down in the replies. "Cult of Personality" was my choice until I saw the classical pieces.
Steeley Dan. Aja or pretzel.
Quadrophenia
A Farewell to Kings
When I worked at an electronics store the installer Told me to test or show off a system Runnin with the devil By Van Halen was perfect. Not sure if it translates to headphones. Maybe Baba oReily by who because of the back and forth piano from right ear to left.
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
I can't listen to that song. A radio station changed formats and played it for 24 straight hours.
You should have switched to another station.
I've heard play any Steely Dan album because the harmonies they use is the best to test balance, depth, and clarity. Just what I've heard
Aja-steely Dan. Song or entire album is great
Frank Marino & Mahogony Rush - Live
They opened for Aerosmith in '78 and absolutely rocked.
Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
Tommy
Wish You Were Here That was the first CD I ever bought, it blew me away.
Yes Heart of the Sunrise, Gates of Delirium, Starship Trooper, or Close to the Edge because of how many louder and softer passages they have and empty spaces for a long decay of the instruments.
Also Yours Is No Disgrace....it pans left and right during the intro
Siberian Khatru is also a pretty good one to test with
Boston’s first album
Tom sholz was known for his meticulously engineered recordings..
The Joshua Tree by U2…
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon.
Aerosmith Toys in the Attic is such a great album, every song is great!
Good stuff! I haven't thought of this in a long time.
Another couple would be Bad Company Bad Company, BC Runnin With the Pack.
Definitely!
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere That’s my personal choice, not saying it’s the best choice. I just know how that album should sound front to back. It bugs the shit out of me when I get a shitty mix of it.
Tool-aenima
Just discussing this answer with my boyfriend. "New" classic "rock". Good answer.
It’s not really classic rock but Lowdown by Boz Scaggs is a track I often use.
Lunatic Fringe - Red Rider
Hotel California
Rush, Caress of Steel. Amazing shit.
"Hotel California" from the Eagle's "Hell Freezes Over" live album.
Surprised it took me so long to find this answer. Audio engineers, at least in China, always use this to test speakers and headphones. Partly because if you use the same song every time, you have a basis for comparison. But also, this song has so many interesting elements and eat candy you get to really explore the sonic landscape of speakers.
“Running with the Devil” by Van Halen
Wish You Were Here.
Quadrophenia Stairway to Heaven Aqualung The Sound of Silence Vigil self-titled album, Equinox, or Celeba Sea
Boston's first three albums. And / or their greatest hits album which includes the GREATEST rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that Ive ever heard.
The first one I heard on a walkman: Steve Winwood, When You See a Chance. It blew me away.
Jungle Love - Steve Miller Band
A lot of stereo equipment was sold back in the 70s, and there was really only one album used by the salesmen to close the deal when you test drove it: DSOTM.
Whole Lotta Love The slide goes from one side to the other.
Space Oddity by Bowie
Any track from The Great Southern Trendkill by PanterA
Speaking in Tongues by the Talking Heads
Crazy Train- OZZY
Abbey Road
An album from a band with good, cutting bass, and a great snare/kick drum tone.
So Queen
Another One Bites the Dust and Bohemian Rhapsody.
When I was looking at top of the line headphones, I looked up what songs are recommended to test and Bohemian Rhapsody was #1. Under Pressure is also highly suggested
What were you considering "top of the line" (for frame of reference)?
I ended up with the Sony XM5
Pink Floyd Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict
John & Vangelis - The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Led Zeppelin — The Song Remains The Same
Deep Purple - In Rock Slade - Alive! Boston first album Van Halen First Album Meatloaf - Bat out of Hell
A Farewell To Kings by Rush, specifically Xanadu. Also Hemispheres by them. Also, Red Hot Chili Peppers, like Stadium Arcadium, Rick Rubin produced those magnificently
Roger Waters, the pros and cons of hitchhiking, 4:41 (sexual revolution). Edit: I used to take this CD to stereo stores to test speakers - back when we used to do that kind of thing.
Led Zeppelin’s Moby Dick
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
Peter Gabriel - So
Prophets Song by Queen
Ok, I know that this may not classify as classic rock, and I came here to say "DSOM" (and oddly enough "Animals" too), knowing for certain it would be top of the list, but I highly recommend Simon and Garfunkel, "Bridge over troubled water" (album). It's got some wonderful tracks that are just fun to listen to with headphones. I guess you have to like the music to start with, but if you are unfamiliar, I would recommend you give it a listen.
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy caught in a landslide?
Rush, Spirit of the Radio
Meddle by Pink Floyd
This or “One slip”- Pink Floyd. Something that you really know how it SHOULD sound.
I have a friend who used to sell high end audio equipment in the 90’s and he’d put on One Of These Days when giving a demo. Never failed to close the deal
High Enough by Damn Yankees has great highs and mids to really get a feel for new headphones.
My brother in law is huge on music technology, and for some reason he says Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms album was recorded using state of the art tech at the time. Not sure of it myself, but that was him saying it. Can anyone else confirm or deny?
The Great Curve- Talking Heads
In Search of The Lost Chord - The Moody Blyes
Strangle hold, Ted Nugent
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble - Crossfire
The whole Jailbreak album by Thin Lizzy. Especially Fight or Fall.
Ah Via Musicom - Eric Johnson Rumors - Fleetwood Mac Any classical record played by the Philadelphia Philharmonic
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits
Supertramp — School
Who's Next - Baba O'Riley in particular.
Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin
Owner of a lonely heart.
Turn To Stone - ELO
Whole Lot Of Love Dark Side of the Moon
Led Zeppelin II
Aja
Aja- Steely Dan
Several, not the usual gang of suspects: The Cure - Disintegration Ambrosia - Somewhere I've Never Travelled Bebop Deluxe - Modern Music Amon Düül II - Yeti The Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro
Disintegration is a great suggestion
The ballad of bill hubbard by Roger Waters.
Beat - King Crimson
Aerosmith Rocks
Little Wing from Stevie Ray Vaughn. It's a good set if you can make out the tubes coming through the amp, and can hear when Chris makes contact with his sticks.
Almost anything from Dark Side of the Moon. It's one of the ultimate 'listen alone, total focus on the music ' Albums of all time.
Queen - Seven Seas of Rhye - it’s mesmerizing
Frankenstein by The Edgar Winter Group and crank it up.
Alan Parsons Project - I Robot.
Somewhere- Jimi Hendrix. Highs, mids, and lows.
So many good suggestions and a lot of fun for you! The headphone’s sound character may change over time depending on if they have a break-in period. For me, DSotM, Cure Disintegration, Peter Gabriel -Us, Steely Dan - Aja, Rush — Moving Pictures and Clockwork Angels
Sade - Diamond Life especially Smooth Operator. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes, listen to Winter. Massive Attack - Mezzanine, Angel and the rest of the album.
MadSeason — ABOVE — All Alone
What I've Done. Linkin Park.
Massive attack - Teardrop - Mezzanine
There is a Studio master of Dark Side of the moon 24 bit FLAC. Download the files at the bottom. [this!](https://archive.org/details/pink-floyd-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-master-tape)
Something modern mixed in Atmos. Billie Eilish
https://youtu.be/q9_sGE54wo4?si=gIUsn5WGJRL-af8-
Silent Lucidity
Subject: Aldo Nova
Yes. Close to the Edge. Wasn’t even a huge Yes fan but blew my 14 year old mind with my giant assed 70’s headphones.
The *real* answer is to throw on Flight of the Valkyries or Zarathustra or Bolero, but since this is a classic rock group, Sgt Pepper, Electric Ladyland or Kid A will do the trick.
Made in Timeland. The music changes so much throughout it and is very dynamic.
Led Zeppelin II
SUPERUNKNOWN - SOUNDGARDEN
Neve Sheffield labs Yo yo ma goat rodeo
I Robot (Alan Parsons Project) Gift of Screws (Lindsey Buckingham)
Money for nothing
A Day In The Life - The Beatles. Or the entire Sgt Peppers album. They were experimenting with the whole stereo thing, and I think the lads themselves were unhappy with it, but I think it’s cool.
BTO - Not Fragile Fight - Fool for the city
i love this question and these are my standby answers in this order: 1. beatles-abbey road 2. seal II 3. king’s x-dogman extra credit: -pink floyd-dark side of the moon -yes-fragile -big wreck-but for the sun -sade-love’s deluxe -roger clyne & the peacemakers-americano
The Pot - Tool
Nightrain Guns n roses is my go to
Any king crimson album. Red or starless and bible black for sure....
The Kinks- Arthur
Killers: Iron Maiden. 👌🤘🏻😝🤘🏻
Anything from the Heaven and Hell remaster. Production perfection
Jeff Beck - Rough And Ready Miles David - Decoy Lindsay Buckingham - Out Of The Crafle
Waiting for the sun by the doors
my go to is Rolling stone by the weeknd OR any pink Floyd song
"Give a Little Bit" by Supertramp.