An article in CNET has a great opening line: “Can you stop being an audiophile?”
At Wipliance, our first thought is, why would you want to? Music transcends the ordinary. Great music transcends the spirit, moving beyond sound to a resonance, an emotion so powerful we move past the clutter of our minds to a place of quiet stillness.
As Aldous Huxley said, “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
So, in honor of those of you who savor every note and every nuance, giving music your full attention, we offer this playlist. These 10 tracks demonstrate whether your high-fidelity speakers are up to the task of reproducing music as the artist intended, as you continue your quest for the ultimate listening experience.
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1. “Keith Don’t Go” (live) – Nils Lofgren
Lofgren, known as the guitar wizard, embraces unique techniques and intricate guitar work that will test your speakers' abilities to the max. So effective is this song at testing speakers that it’s a staple at audio shows.
Why it’s a great song to demo: Quiet, delicate passages give rise to dynamic sound bursts, testing your speakers' ability to handle these sudden shifts without distortion. The intricate acoustic work provides extreme detail that will test for clarity and precision.
What to listen for: Can you clearly hear the details, like the finger slides and the attack and decay of the guitar strings? During the bursts of sound and energy, does the recording remain clear, or does it become distorted? How is the transition as the song moves from quiet to loud?
2. “Royals” – Lorde
Lorde, a Grammy-winning artist, is known for her striking creative vision, emotional resonance, and introspective lyricism. This minimalist but impactful recording will test your soundstage and details.
Why it’s a great song to demo: The deep, thunderous bass drum provides a test of your subwoofer’s impact and its ability to carry the depth. Crystal-clear vocals test your speakers’ ability to reproduce high frequencies. The layered vocals, bass, and guitar let you assess your soundstage.
What to listen for: Do the individual sounds remain distinct across a wide soundstage? Does distortion affect the deep bass drum or the airy vocals and high frequencies? Percussive clicks should feel holographically placed around the room.
3. “Lose Control” – Teddy Swims
Known for his powerful, raw vocals and genre-blending music, Swims first gained fame on YouTube when his songs went viral. His vocal and complex mix pushes speakers to handle powerful bass and intricate details.
Why it’s a great song to demo: Can your speakers carry Swim’s soulful, dynamic voice and emotional depth? With prominent bass, electric guitars, and layered keyboards, it tests your speakers' ability to deliver each instrument clearly and reproduce different frequencies.
What to listen for: Listen for the bass response. Does it sound overwhelming or deep and pure? Can your speakers handle his powerful vocal crescendos without distortion? And is the vocal layer distinct in the chorus?
4. “Hotel California” (Live on MTV 1994) – Eagles
The Eagles, an iconic American rock band, sold millions of records, won Grammy Awards, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Need we say more?
Why it’s a great song to demo: This acoustic live version is a gold standard for testing a speaker’s ability to reproduce timbre and dynamics. The intricate layering of electric guitars, vocal harmonies, precise percussion, and spatial mixing creates an immersive soundstage, highlighting each instrument and its wide range.
What to listen for: The pluck of the 12-string guitar should shimmer without sounding sharp. As a live recording, do you experience the expansive soundstage and the natural sense of the space and the audience? Can you discern the unique voice of each guitar?
5. “Tin Pan Alley” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Known for his powerful, soulful performances, Vaughan revitalized the blues by blending it with rock, funk, and technical virtuosity.
Why it’s a great song to demo: This is a song with exceptional dynamic range, unbelievable guitar texture, and emotional dynamics that cover a broad range of sounds, going from whispers to explosive guitar solos.
What to listen for: Can you hear the micro-details in the guitar bends and vibrato? Do the subtle brushes and cymbals shimmer naturally? This song lets you pinpoint flaws in high-frequency clarity, bass response, and stereo imaging.
6. “Bubbles” – Yosi Horikawa
A Japanese musician and sound designer, Horikawa is renowned for creating intricate electronic music interwoven with everyday sounds and natural elements. These layered soundscapes put your speakers to the test.
Why it’s a great song to demo: This song opens with the sound of a bouncing ping pong ball, accompanied by what sounds like bubbles bursting. In audiophile circles, it’s known for its use of found sounds and binaural-like effects, making it a good choice for testing your speakers' separation, soundstage, and placement accuracy.
What to listen for: Considered a masterclass in 3D sound and spatial imaging, listen for the balls bouncing in precise, 360-degree space. The objects should convey depth, moving closer, farther, and everything in between.
7. “Hello” – Adele
Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and emotionally raw songwriting, she reached massive global success, breaking sales records and winning 17-plus awards, from Grammys to an Oscar.
Why it’s a great song to demo: From hushed and intimate to powerful and emotional, this song tests your system’s ability to reproduce loud peaks and subtle nuances without clipping or distortion. Her distinct, powerful voice reveals how your speakers handle complex vocal harmonics and breath sounds.
What to listen for: When the chorus comes around, listen for a clean expansion. Her vocals should sound full, rich, clear, and present, rather than harsh or compressed. Does the bass support her vocals or muddy them?
8. “Take Five” – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
This group is known for popularizing cool jazz and their innovative use of unusual time signatures. It’s these time signatures and complex rhythms that put your speakers to the test.
Why it’s a great song to demo: The song’s unique 5/4 rhythm and clear instrument separation challenge your speaker’s ability to reproduce distinct instrumental textures, accurate timing, and acoustic clarity.
What to listen for: The pace and rhythm of the iconic drum pattern should feel effortless. The cymbals shimmer, sounding crisp instead of harsh. The saxophone should deliver a smooth, brassy tone, and the piano should come in subtly yet clearly in the left channel.
9. “Angel” – Massive Attack
Pioneering trip-hop, Massive Attack is known for their dark, atmospheric genre blending soul, hip-hop, reggae, and electronic sounds. Cinematic, brooding soundscapes give your speakers something to think about.
Why it’s a great song to demo: From sparse to intense, these extreme dynamics push your speakers to handle tremendous detail and volume changes without distortion. Two basslines test subwoofer quality.
What to listen for: Do your speakers maintain clarity as the music intensifies? Can you hear both basslines, and does the deep, rolling bass become muddy? Any harshness or muddiness suggests flaws in room acoustics or speakers.
10. “Blackbird” – The Beatles
The Beatles revolutionized popular music with their genre-blending songs and innovative songwriting.
Why it’s a great song to demo: A pure, beautiful, minimalist recording, it features Paul McCartney’s voice, an acoustic guitar, his foot tapping, and birdsong.
What to listen for: Intricate fingerpicking should sound natural and clear. Can you hear the melody played by the fingers and the bass delivered by the thumb? Assess your speaker’s midrange reproduction by listening to his voice—the subtle nuances and intimate delivery. Can you hear the studio noises of his breathing and foot tapping? These sounds demonstrate your speaker's ability to reproduce fine musical details and subtle textures.
Audio Newbies
If you weren’t an audiophile before listening to these recordings, chances are, you’re on your way.
At Wipliance, we specialize in custom home entertainment and total technology integration. We also partner with some of the best audio manufacturers in the world. If you’re ready for the highest levels of acoustics, clarity, and sound staging—an immersive listening experience that brings your music to life—contact Wipliance.
