There are many tracks that I would often listen to when checking the quality of sound systems, but Adele’s Skyfall is definitely one of my go-tos. The track is brilliantly mixed and mastered, and also the recording on the voice is insanely well done. No frequencies pierce and annoy the listeners and the overall arrangement of instruments used in the piece is remarkable.
The other albums that I would frequent are some from Michael Jackson, namely thriller, or maybe some other albums from Daft Punk/The Gorillaz. All these albums are mixed and handled by the best engineers in the industry. Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers” is also one to consider when trying out a sound system for someone who often listens to hiphop. It’s probably one of the top albums in terms of studio quality.
When checking sound systems, one should always remember to keep the context of how it is going to be used in check. A flat monitor might be good for engineers to mix tracks, but would not be the best option for a more immersive home surround sound setup. Check well before purchasing!