Sound Check 2: The Ultimate Audio Test and Demonstration CD by Alan Parsons
If you are an audiophile who loves to enjoy high-quality sound, you might have heard of Alan Parsons, the legendary producer and engineer who worked on albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon and Abbey Road. But did you know that he also created a series of audio test and demonstration CDs that can help you optimize your sound system and enhance your listening experience?
[Extra Quality] Alan Parsons - Sound Check 2: Audio Test And Demonstration CD (2003)l
In this article, we will introduce you to one of his most popular and acclaimed CDs, Sound Check 2, which was released in 2003. We will explain what makes this CD so special, how to use it to test your audio equipment, and where to get it.
What is Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is a CD that contains 43 tracks of various audio tests and demonstrations, ranging from frequency sweeps and pink noise to musical excerpts and sound effects. The CD is designed to help you evaluate the performance of your speakers, amplifiers, cables, and other audio components, as well as to adjust the settings of your sound system for optimal sound quality.
The CD also features some original music by Alan Parsons and his collaborators, such as The Alan Parsons Project and Ambrosia. These tracks showcase the musical talents and production skills of Alan Parsons, as well as the dynamic range and clarity of the CD.
Sound Check 2 is not only a useful tool for audio enthusiasts, but also a fun and entertaining way to explore the world of sound.
How to use Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 can be used in various ways, depending on your needs and preferences. Here are some common ways to use the CD:
To test your speakers: You can use the tracks that contain frequency sweeps, pink noise, polarity tests, phase tests, and speaker balance tests to check the response, alignment, polarity, phase, and balance of your speakers. These tracks can help you identify any problems or defects in your speakers, such as distortion, rattling, buzzing, or imbalance.
To test your amplifier: You can use the tracks that contain level tests, dynamic range tests, distortion tests, and intermodulation tests to check the power, headroom, distortion, and intermodulation of your amplifier. These tracks can help you determine if your amplifier can handle the signal level and dynamic range of the CD without clipping or distorting.
To test your cables: You can use the tracks that contain impedance tests, capacitance tests, resistance tests, and cable comparison tests to check the impedance, capacitance, resistance, and quality of your cables. These tracks can help you compare different types of cables and find out if they affect the sound quality or introduce any noise or interference.
To test your room acoustics: You can use the tracks that contain reverberation tests, room mode tests, reflection tests, and absorption tests to check the reverberation time, room modes, reflections, and absorption of your listening room. These tracks can help you measure the acoustic characteristics of your room and find out if they enhance or degrade the sound quality.
To adjust your sound system: You can use the tracks that contain equalization tests,
How to get Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is available in various formats and editions, such as CD, DVD, SACD, and Blu-ray. You can order it online from various retailers, such as Amazon, eBay, or Discogs. You can also download it digitally from iTunes, Spotify, or Tidal. However, keep in mind that some formats and editions may have different track lists or sound quality than others.
If you want to get the original CD version of Sound Check 2, which was released in 2003 by Alan Parsons' own label Keyfax NewMedia, you might have to look for it in second-hand markets or collectors' websites. This version is considered to be the most authentic and comprehensive edition of the CD, as it contains all 43 tracks and a booklet with detailed explanations and instructions for each track. However, this version is also very rare and expensive, as it was produced in limited quantities and is no longer in print.
Why choose Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is not just another audio test CD. It is a unique and valuable product that combines the expertise and creativity of Alan Parsons, one of the most respected and influential figures in the music industry. It is a CD that can help you improve your sound system and your listening skills, as well as enjoy some great music and sound effects.
Sound Check 2 is also a CD that has received rave reviews and accolades from critics and customers alike. It has been praised for its high-quality sound, its variety and usefulness of tracks, its musical content, and its educational value. It has been rated as one of the best audio test CDs ever made by various magazines and websites, such as Stereophile, Sound & Vision, Hi-Fi News, Audioholics, and more.
Sound Check 2 is a CD that you will not regret buying. It is a CD that will make you appreciate the beauty and complexity of sound. It is a CD that will make you a better listener and a better audiophile.
What are the benefits of Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is a CD that can offer you many benefits, both practical and enjoyable. Here are some of the benefits that you can get from using Sound Check 2:
You can test and optimize your sound system: Sound Check 2 can help you identify and fix any issues or flaws in your sound system, such as distortion, noise, imbalance, or phase mismatch. It can also help you adjust the settings of your sound system, such as volume, balance, equalization, or crossover, to achieve the best sound quality possible.
You can learn more about sound and audio: Sound Check 2 can teach you a lot about the science and art of sound and audio, such as frequency, amplitude, phase, polarity, impedance, capacitance, resistance, reverberation, room modes, reflections, absorption, and more. It can also teach you how to use various audio tools and techniques, such as frequency sweeps, pink noise, polarity tests, phase tests, speaker balance tests, level tests, dynamic range tests, distortion tests, intermodulation tests, impedance tests, capacitance tests, resistance tests, cable comparison tests, reverberation tests,
room mode tests, reflection tests, absorption tests, equalization tests,
bass management tests, surround sound tests and more.
You can enjoy some amazing music and sound effects: Sound Check 2 can also entertain you with some stunning music and sound effects that showcase the talents and skills of Alan Parsons and his collaborators. You can listen to some original tracks by The Alan Parsons Project and Ambrosia that feature various genres and styles of music. You can also listen to some excerpts from famous albums that Alan Parsons produced or engineered such as The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd or Eye in the Sky by The Alan Parsons Project. You can also listen to some realistic and immersive sound effects that simulate different environments and scenarios such as a train station a thunderstorm or a helicopter.
How to get the most out of Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is a CD that can offer you a lot of value and enjoyment but only if you use it properly and wisely. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of Sound Check 2:
Read the booklet: Sound Check 2 comes with a booklet that contains detailed explanations and instructions for each track. The booklet also contains some background information and trivia about Alan Parsons and his work. Reading the booklet will help you understand what each track is for how to use it and what to expect from it.
Use a good sound system: Sound Check 2 is a CD that requires a high-quality sound system to fully appreciate its sound quality and content. Using a cheap or faulty sound system will not only ruin your listening experience but also compromise your test results. Make sure you use a sound system that has good speakers amplifiers cables and other components that can handle the signal level and dynamic range of the CD without clipping or distorting.
Use a quiet listening room: Sound Check 2 is a CD that requires a quiet listening room to fully appreciate its sound quality and content. Using a noisy or reverberant listening room will not only ruin your listening experience but also compromise your test results. Make sure you use a listening room that has low background noise and good acoustic treatment that can minimize reflections and absorb unwanted sounds.
Follow the instructions: Sound Check 2 is a CD that requires you to follow the instructions carefully to fully appreciate its sound quality and content. Using the CD without following the instructions will not only ruin your listening experience but also compromise your test results. Make sure you follow the instructions for each track such as setting the volume level playing the track in stereo or surround mode positioning yourself in the sweet spot etc.
Have fun: Sound Check 2 is a CD that requires you to have fun to fully appreciate its sound quality and content. Using the CD without having fun will not only ruin your listening experience but also compromise your test results. Make sure you have fun with the CD such as playing with different settings experimenting with different tracks comparing different components etc.
What are the drawbacks of Sound Check 2?
Sound Check 2 is a CD that can offer you many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some of the drawbacks of Sound Check 2:
It is expensive: Sound Check 2 is a CD that is not cheap to buy. Depending on the format and edition that you choose, it can cost you anywhere from