The synth sounds and electronic drums with the reverse talk-back tweaking with their crescendos are great for probing their dynamics. We are sticking with classical music for one final speaker-testing song choice before we move on to other music genres. Only a great set of speakers will be able to take the track on deftly displaying the transition between the more intimate and raucous parts.
When it comes to testing out a new set of speakers, music enthusiasts often turn to their favorite songs to see how different frequencies and sound qualities are reproduced. What is your top favorite song to test speakers with? Let’s explore some popular choices that audiophiles swear by.
This is especially true for the horn and percussion solo in the song. The best speakers will showcase the perfect balance between dynamism and range of frequency. This is one of the more recent pieces constantly used to test speaker performance. Though not always present on best songs to test your speakers’ lists, it can show the ability of your speaker to amplify the bass and synth. The initial impact of the booming kettle drums can be heard early in the piece.
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
If you’re a Queen fan, this is absolutely a song you have to have on your playlist. It’s one of their most popular and successful songs for good reasons. Written by guitarist Pete Townsend for The Who’s album, Tommy, “Pinball Wizard” is a brilliant choice for testing any type of speaker. The fast-paced guitar strums and Keith Moon’s energetic drumming style provide the perfect platform for Roger Daltrey’s powerful vocals. I was actually just listening to this song through my new Bose speakers and was thinking about how great the song sounded.
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“Moby Dick” by Led Zeppelin is a track composed with distinct sections in which each instrument has a chance to shine. There are lots of atmospheric sounds and effects to contend with in the soundscape. You have a heavy-handed low piano chord thumping at the start of each bar. The process involved using several session musicians (back then it was down to a selection dubbed “the Wrecking Crew”) to record the same parts at the same time.
Released by the iconic label Motown Records, this song was a worldwide hit. The musicianship and songwriting on display are exceptional, and if this song doesn’t sound good on a set of speakers, then it should probably be avoided. Legendary producer and mixing engineer George Martin was mainly responsible for conducting the 40-piece orchestra, and McCartney wrote the middle 8, which begins with the abrupt sound of an alarm clock ringing. The complexity of the songwriting, coupled with the expert use of effects, makes this song ideal for testing speakers. The psychedelic sound of “Time,” track four on their hugely popular 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon, will exercise all of the main areas of a speaker’s sonic and dynamic abilities. Naturally, if you want to test your system’s organisation, you need to throw a dense mix at it – and Yosi Horikawa’s discography is well and truly at your service.
One iconic song that is often used to test speakers is “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. This epic rock ballad features a wide range of instrumentation, from soft piano melodies to powerful guitar riffs, making it an ideal track to assess the speaker’s ability to handle complex arrangements and dynamic shifts in volume.
Your speaker is of decent quality if it can produce a good bass quality out of this song. Not all famous basslines make for a useful test track but we think this one certainly passes the test. There’s more variation in length and attenuation to notes than you might notice at first listen, which require a little digging out, while some systems just won’t muster the necessary spring and rhythm.
Hotel California by Eagles
Another classic song that is commonly used for speaker testing is “Hotel California” by the Eagles. This timeless track has a rich tapestry of sound, including intricate vocal harmonies, lush guitar solos, and deep bass notes. It provides a great opportunity to evaluate the speaker’s ability to reproduce vocals, instruments, and low-end frequencies with clarity and precision.
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson is a pop masterpiece that is frequently chosen for speaker testing. The song’s infectious beat, catchy bassline, and intricate production make it a great choice for assessing the speaker’s ability to reproduce tight rhythms, clear vocals, and punchy bass tones.
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
For those looking to test the full range of a speaker’s capabilities, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is an excellent choice. This epic rock anthem features gentle acoustic passages, soaring electric guitar solos, and thunderous drum fills, offering a comprehensive test of the speaker’s ability to handle different instruments and musical genres.
Ultimately, the best song to test speakers with is one that you know inside and out, allowing you to pick up on any nuances or imperfections in the sound reproduction. Whether you choose a timeless classic or a modern hit, the key is to listen carefully and trust your ears to guide you in finding the perfect speakers for your listening pleasure.
