Everything we do at Renaissance is about getting the most enjoyment out of listening to music. We continuously test our systems with a range of our favourite recordings: streaming, CD, and vinyl. We use them all.
Scroll below to read Renaissance MD John Carroll’s notes from his most recent listening sessions. Enjoy his Test Track Attack.
Test Track Attack #3
Here are our MD John Carroll’s notes from his most recent listening session. Enjoy his Test Track Attack.
Track: Mr Bojangles
Artist: Chie Ayado
Album: Best II
Track: Mr Bojangles
Artist: Chie Ayado
Album: Best II
I’ve chosen this track not necessarily because I love it - in fact, there’s a part of it that really annoys me - but because it’s a superb test of a system’s balance and composure. It opens with piano that should sound soft, weighty and perfectly placed in space, with real air around the notes. As Ayado’s vocal enters, she keeps the power dialled back at first, giving you a chance to assess the balance between piano and voice. Her vocal should sit just slightly left of centre, with a touch of holographic depth - not flat, not stretched. As the intensity builds and that strong vibrato appears (the bit that tests my patience!), your system should remain controlled and open, never aggressive or overpowering - particularly around the 2:03 mark.
Push further into the track and you’ll hear dramatic key changes and a real surge in vocal power. This is where system balance is laid bare. From 4:10, as the tempo lifts, everything should come alive with energy and drive - but without glare or hardness. If the upper mids become harsh, that’s almost certainly your room speaking, not the recording.
Use the first 10-15 seconds on repeat while adjusting speaker position in small 3-5cm movements. If the piano becomes lightweight, try moving the speakers slightly closer to the rear wall; if the vocal loses focus, experiment with subtle toe-in adjustments. Reflections can play havoc here, so soft furnishings at ear height - even temporarily - can help tame brightness before investing in proper treatment.
I gained near-perfect acceptance of this track in our premium listening room (7.2m wide, 5.3m deep, 2.3m rising to 2.7m at the back), with controlled reflections and full diffusion on the side walls. The system was the MOON by Simaudio 371, Dynaudio Special 40, wired throughout with Nordost Red Dawn 3 and a Heimdall 2 Ethernet cable, streaming via Qobuz.
It’s a long way from my usual Bowie playlist - but as a true hi-fi test track, it’s outstanding.