Just picked up some new Yamaha HS5's as I got fed up with the existing monitors (glad I did).
Wondering what recordings people here are using as a reference, I have to admit I ploughed out the old "Brothers in Arms" (like 'em or hate 'em).
 
Cheers...

Steely Dan. Most of them.
Doobie Brothers.
Alison Krauss - Paper Airplane & New Favorite.

Not familiar with newer stuff used for reference.

the HONOR roll
 
http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html
 
 

Mainly, The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails. Because I know it like the back of my hand and sonically, it's incredibly diverse. But mostly because I know it so well.
 
Then I browse through other records, not always based on production merits, but again mostly because I know them. Those usually include any/some of the following:
 
Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion
Tool - Lateralus
Star Wars III Soundtrack
Metallica - Black Album
Stone Temple Pilots - Tiny Music
Skinny Puppy - The Process
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti 
Marilyn Manson - Mechanical Animal
Theme song for Rocky II
Rush - Moving Pictures
Lenny Kravitz - Circus
 

Reference recordings are only useful if you know what they're supposed to sound like.  It should be something you know well but not necessarily your favourite, or you risk hearing it you way you expect to regardless of what's coming out of the speakers.
You should also choose 2 or 3 different tracks that have different sonic properties, acoustic guitar, overdriven guitar, strings, synths.
Choose reference tracks that are relevant to the test you're making.  If you're setting up a PA for a rock band, don't use Simon & Garfunkel as your test reference...

Talk Talk's "The Color of Spring" comes to mind...

 
Anybody else?
 
I'm especially happy to hear from people who don't really know how their reference recording is supposed to sound like . Perhaps we can pair some classical recordings with a thrash/rock/heavy metal band... Nigel Kennedy on Four Seasons just before, say, recording Motörhead, why not.
 
Cheers...

batsbrew
the HONOR roll
 
http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html
 

 
Nice find thanks. My ex employer was on that list...

Over all Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon. Its great for getting a full spectrum sound. It also sounds great.  

Beggar's Banquet by the Stones.
 
Just about anything by John Cale
 
10 years after - a space in time.
 
Recoil.    Portisaid.