SH Spotlight Test the midrange purity of your system and/or your computer speakers using Bing Crosby!

the behind of scenes

 

FYI, 40th anniversary of his passing is coming up very soon.

 

I've tried this test a number of times since you posted it, trying both what you referenced on YT and what's available on Google Music. On Google Music, regardless of system, I can't hear the room at the designated time. YT I can (more so). The YT copy has less distortion than the GM copy. Is it possible that there's two different masters of this out there?

 

Always. Always have fun with Bing. Bing was such a wonderfully delicate singer with perfect inflection, tone and control. And, Steve, your mid-range test only revealed my system's weakness. I heard enough to know what I'm missing.

 

I unfortunately haven't been able to replicate this at all. Bummer
Reciver: Marantz 2238b
Speakers: Technics sb-2760
Digital: music streamer II dac

 

Yes, the test helped me evaluate speakers very recently.

 

Are you basically looking for the BIGGEST effect/the better the mid?

 

Have yet to experience that a-ha moment. I have tried it on my main system, my outdoor system as well as thru a few sets of cans.

 

Unfortunately, I think my playback chains failed.

I tried cheap headphone via my Samsung phone with youtube app, can hear brief half second echo, but not any further details about the room.

I tried cheap headphone via ipad with youtube app, same brief echo, no further details about the room.

I tried Roku 2 via youtube app ->my receiver-> receiver preout to Parasound amp -> Paradigm speakers. I can hear echo, but no further details about the room. I can‘t sense how big is the room. I can't hear where the PA is located. I can't hear any further reverb trail other than the initial brief half second echo.

Will see if CD will do any better.....

 

You know you have far too many Bing Crosby CD's, when not only does Amazon reminds you that you already bought this some years ago, but it then takes some 20minutes to find it on the shelves.

And look at all those other people that bought a copy too!!

 

Just ordered a used copy from https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000002O2W?ref_=mw_olp_product_details. Hopefully is the correct one.

 

I would never claim to have the same critical listening skills as many on this board, but over the past few years since I first started lurking, I've learned a tremendous amount. I "think" I can hear what Steve describes on my simple Emotiva system connected to my computer via rca cable through a schiit modi2 uber. I've ordered the CD on Amazon, not only to give it a more critical listen, but also because as I was listening to the youtube streaming, I realized how much I would enjoy listening to the entire CD. Knowing me, I will keep listening over and over until I can figure out if I really do hear anything.

 

You're all insane

 

Thank you for noticing!

 

Hi Steve,

I got your CD (my first Steve Hoffman CD! ) this morning and listened to song 1 and 14. Vocal sounded great!

However, I am disappointed that I still not hearing the "swamp of PA reverbs" as you described. I heard a sudden loudness and a little reverb only.

In your original post, you mentioned that you switched out the Adcom with McIntosh 30s and was swamped by the PA reverbs. I read that tubes amp is susceptible to microphonics. May I know if your JBL is in a small room, next to the McIntosh 30's amp when you did the listening? I am just wondering if that swamp of PA reverbs could be partially due to microphonics....

Again, I enjoyed the two songs this morning with my stereo setup. Simply excellent vocal!

 

Anyone know of any vinyl side or song or moment that provides this type of unique testing for my mids??

 

I hear a slight raise in volume and maybe a sligtly deeper bass on my budget Q Acoustics 2020i nearfield listening.

 

I have heard this somewhat on every system I have tried - Schiit Fulla 2 through earbuds and a set of cans, iPhone speaker, Cornwalls powered by my Yamaha A-S2000, and Paradigm mini-monitors on my desk powered by a Kenwood power amp with the Schiit Fulla 2 as the preamp...

Desk setup was probably the best.

In no case was it something that would have "jumped out" at me as highly unusual, but I was able to hear it - slight reverb, especially on the word "feeling."

Probably not good enough?