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Engineers Perspective
CD 2 Guide: Test Tracks for Your System
Posted May 2013
Welcome to the Legacy Audio Music Sampler & Test CD Volume II Test Track Guide.
The following text expands upon the text accompanying the CD. We have provided these test tracks to you here to assist you in setting up your system.
Download here.
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To begin with, click the download button below, and save the file to your computer. Then, unzip the file, and either play the tracks from your computer DAC (such as the Legacy Wavelet) or create an Audio CD for your CD player.
Track 16 is correlated pink noise to adjust the frequency balance of your speakers. By utilizing a spectrum analyzer and calibrated microphone, you can measure each speaker individually (one at a time). The ideal frequency response is smooth with no major peaks or dips. Keep in mind that moving your microphone several inches can paint a different picture, so going for the smoothest overall reading is best. Speakers such as the Legacy Whisper XD optimize the in room performance, yielding a smoother frequency response, by minimizing room coloration.
Track 17 is the same correlated pink noise, out of phase. When playing this track through both speakers, sound should appear to be coming from beyond the outside boundary of the speakers. This stereo signal should not have a mono center image.
Track 18, The Mono Voice Track, is a mono voice track with audible instructions to determine correct speaker placement.
Track 19, The Clap Track, demonstrates the imaging capabilities of your speakers. It consists of a simple rhythm that is manipulated in the recording studio. Rather than simply panning it left to right, a combination of phase, delay, and image widening techniques were applied. As a result, the sound should move from clear defined points ranging from phantom center to beyond the speaker’s physical location. When listening on the Legacy Whisper XD, renowned for its imaging capabilities, the claps will reach far beyond the left and right speakers. This is due to it's linear directivity radiation pattern, greatly eliminating side wall and ceiling reflections.
Track 20 contains a 58 Hz and 87 Hz sine wave tone to assist in locating low frequency peaks and dips in the room. You can move around the room while playing the track and audibly hear how low frequencies change throughout the room. You can also adjust speaker placement to optimize low frequency response.
Track 21 The Audiophile Life in Mono consists of two mono vocal tracks- male and female. Each voice was recorded separately, through a Manley Reference Cardioid microphone into a Chandler Limited TG2 microphone preamplifier (based on the original EMI consoles used at Abbey Road Studios).
The two tracks are panned center and are similar volumes. It should be relatively difficult to understand this track.
Track 22, The Audiophile Life in Stereo consists of the exact same two mono vocal tracks, however one is panned to the left speaker and the other to the right. You will find it much easier to understand the two distinct conversations that are occurring.