Die STEREO Hortest CD Volume III – In-Akustik

Released by In-Akustik in 2004, Die STEREO Hörtest CD Volume III is a carefully assembled 16-track compilation designed not simply for listening, but for evaluating the performance of an audio system. Its program moves between classical, jazz, blues, vocals, acoustic instruments and large-scale orchestral passages, creating a compact but varied test of tonal balance, imaging, dynamics and soundstage.

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TRACK LIST

Sound Quality

The disc offers a wide range of sonic perspectives. Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the Tumblers” and Tchaikovsky’s “Cossack Dance” provide energetic orchestral passages where dynamics, separation and transient speed become immediately apparent. At the opposite end, Albinoni’s “Adagio” allows a system’s low-level resolution, ambience and tonal smoothness to be assessed.

The vocal selections are equally useful. Ana Caram’s “The Telephone Song,” Livingston Taylor’s “Isn’t She Lovely?”, Christy Baron’s “I’m All Smiles,” and Sara K.’s “In The Fall” reveal vocal positioning, midrange texture and the sense of space around the performer.

Audiophile Listening Experience

The compilation becomes particularly interesting when played as a system test. Charlie Musselwhite’s “Faithless Lover” and Blues Company’s “The River” expose blues texture and rhythmic weight, while Charly Antolini’s “Cha Cha Bonita” and Flim & The BB’s “Tricycle” put greater emphasis on percussion, timing and transient attack.

Al Di Meola’s “Meninas” adds fast acoustic guitar work and precise instrumental separation, while Henry Mancini’s “Strings On Fire!” provides a compact test of string articulation and dynamics.

Reference Tracks

Among the 16 tracks, particularly useful references include “Dance of the Tumblers,” “The Telephone Song,” “I’m All Smiles,” “Cha Cha Bonita,” “Tricycle,” “Meninas,” and “Adagio.” Together they cover many of the qualities audiophiles listen for: imaging, vocal focus, tonal color, transient response, bass control, dynamics and acoustic space.

Audiophile Verdict

Die STEREO Hörtest CD Volume III works best as a practical listening tool rather than a conventional album. Its strength is the variety of recordings packed into a single disc, allowing changes in a system’s sound to become easier to recognize from track to track. For anyone building a collection of reference material, this 2004 In-Akustik release remains a useful and enjoyable test disc.