The Ultimate Playlist for Testing Your Speakers and Headphones!
This is crowd sourced
All of us have read enough rants on Twitter of millenials complaining how there are no good places to just go eat and chat at ease with friends or colleagues. There is always loud music playing in most of the restaurants. Turns out they have to shout and scream their lungs out to have a decent verbal exchange. This has paved in the way for house parties. I have 3 golden rule setting for a perfect house party.
Scented Fragrance
Apt Temperature
Good Music
You may have world class speakers, but your speakers are only as good as the music you play through them. And if you want to get the most out of your speakers, you need to find music that really brings out their best. So, what are the best test songs for speakers or headphones/ earphones. Afterall you will be spending a considerable amount of money on your fancy new speakers, it's time to put them to the test. What should you listen to in order to truly assess the quality and capability of your new sound system? Fear not, dear reader! I’ve got you covered with a list of test songs that will truly put your speakers to the test.
Different Types of Test Songs.
Classical Music
Classical music is ideal for testing a speaker’s ability to accurately recreate sound. Classical works that have been recorded with high-quality equipment and great production values will showcase the best of your speakers. Select pieces with lots of activity in the lower registers like symphonies by Mahler, Stravinsky and Shostakovich, choose solo piano works by Beethoven and Chopin or, listen to Indian classical artists jugalbandis like Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Ustaad Bada Ghulam Ali Khan, Girija Devi and even Indian Classical Ragas (Bhairavi. Kaafi, Malhar)
Pop Music.
Popular music is popular for a reason: it can bring out the best in any speaker system as long as you pick the right tracks. Look for songs with strong basslines such as “Uptown Funk” from Bruno Mars or “Bad Guy” from Billie Eilish, both feature deep low-end frequencies that will test the limits of your setup’s responsiveness. Closer home “Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan” or “Piya Basanti Re”
Jazz Music.
Jazz has become an increasingly popular genre to use when testing speakers due to its dynamic nature and technical complexity - musicians often play off one another in unpredictable ways during improvised sections which create unique sonic textures that are great for evaluating audio systems capabilities more broadly than just pop music might allow for instance Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album contains multiple sections where instruments take turns soloing over one another while retaining coherence throughout different passages at once making it perfect song to check how well each individual instrument comes through on your speakers .
Rock Music
Rock music is a powerful genre that can really push your speaker set up to its limits - select albums like The Who's Who's Next or Led Zeppelin II which feature loud buzzing guitars, thunderous drums, soaring vocals all combined create complex sonic landscapes perfect for testing out sound systems capabilities. Additionally look into more modern rock bands such as Foo Fighters, Queens of Stone Age who also utilize heavy distortion effects along with complex arrangements giving them an edge when testing out your audio set up. In Bollywood i believe the best rock song will be “Main Khuda” by KK. I doubt if you guys heard this song before. The song is from movie PAANCH (directed by Anurag Kashyap). The music of this song was composed and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
Tips for Selecting Test Songs.
When selecting test songs for your
speakers, it is important to audition them in person. This ensures that you are hearing the full range of sound the speaker can produce and helps you make an informed decision about whether or not it is a good fit for your needs. If possible, try listening to multiple tracks at different volumes and locations so that you get a sense of how the speakers perform in various settings.
Consider Variety of Genres.
It is also important to consider a variety of genres when selecting test songs for your speakers, as each genre will have its own unique sonic characteristics which can reveal certain aspects of the speaker’s performance.
Know Your Frequency Range.
Knowing your speaker’s frequency range is also key when choosing test songs for evaluation purposes. This range typically falls between 20Hz-20kHz but some higher end models may extend this even further (down to 10Hz).
Look for Dynamic Range:
Finally, it is important to select songs with a wide dynamic range in order to properly evaluate how well your speakers handle changing volume levels over time without distorting or “mushifying” sounds too much in any one area (especially lower bass frequencies).
FYI - You can skip all of the above steps if you are not very familiar with all these music jargons. Simply plug/ play the below compiled list to gauge for yourself that what makes you groove and what makes you sway :)
Test songs for your Headphones - The List (English)
First up, we have "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. This classic rock tune has it all: a wide range of instruments, complex harmonies, and a soaring vocal performance from Freddie Mercury. Plus, the iconic "Galileo" section is a great test for how well your headphones handle sudden changes in volume.
Next, we have "Smooth" by Santana featuring Rob Thomas. This Latin-infused track has a ton of energy and a driving beat that's perfect for testing bass response. If your headphones can handle the deep, thumping bassline without distorting, you know you've got a winner.
There was a time when the electronics store guys would just play the Eagle’s “Welcome to the Hotel California” in 5.1. This will give you a complete idea of the range.
For something a little more mellow, try "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. This soulful ballad features Withers' smooth vocals and a simple, yet powerful arrangement that's perfect for testing clarity and overall tonal balance. Plus, the sparse instrumentation means you'll be able to hear every detail of the recording.
If you're looking for something a bit more modern, give "Lose You To Love Me" by Selena Gomez a listen. This emotional ballad features a haunting piano melody and Gomez's powerful vocals. The minimalistic production means that your headphones will need to be able to handle the subtleties of the recording, making it a great test for overall sound quality.
Finally, we have "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. This epic rock track is a true test of soundstage, with its wide dynamic range and soaring guitar solos. If your headphones can capture the intricate details of this iconic recording, you know you've got a pair of headphones that can handle anything you throw at them.
So there you have it: the best test songs for your headphones. Whether you're a classic rock fan or prefer something a bit more modern, these tracks are sure to give you a true sense of what your headphones are capable of.
Now lets shift gear to Bollywood :) :) If you're a Bollywood fan, then you know that there's nothing quite like a good Bollywood song to get your blood pumping and your feet moving. That's right, these tunes are not only catchy, but they can also help you evaluate the performance of your speakers.
Test songs for your Speakers - The List (Hindi)
First up, we have "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from the movie Dil Se. This iconic song features a fast-paced beat and intricate instrumentation, making it a great test for the overall sound quality of your speakers. The soaring vocals of Sukhwinder Singh will also put your speakers' clarity to the test.
Next, we have "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2. This soulful ballad has a lot of emotional depth, and the sparse instrumentation means that you'll be able to hear every detail of the recording. Pay attention to the way the piano and strings are balanced, as well as the clarity of Arijit Singh's vocals.
If you're looking for something a bit more classic, try "Yeh Dosti" from the movie Sholay. This iconic song features a simple arrangement with just a guitar and a harmonica, making it a great test for the overall tonal balance of your speakers. Pay attention to the way the two instruments blend together, as well as the clarity of the vocals.
We also have the title track from the movie “Gupt”. Trust me, this song is a hidden gem. With its pulsating beat and haunting melody, it's the perfect test for your headphones or speakers. In the 90s all music shop owners would just play this track to give you a complete idea of the range. It was some high level recording.
For something a little more upbeat, try "Ramta Jogi" from Taal or “Dum Maaro Dum” from Hare Rama Hare Krishna. These dance number have a driving beat and catchy hooks that's sure to get your speakers thumping.
Few years back I went to Kailash Kher’s house for an interview. He made me hear “Radha Kaise Na Jale” from Lagaan in his new audio system. The moment and the sound has stayed with me even now. The stereophonic arrangement is exceptionally well done, especially when the drum kicks in.
You should try “Dil Chahta Hai” title track, plus the end credits version of the title track. Shankar Ehsaan Loy use a lot of instruments and push the amp/speaker combination quite hard.
The musical genius A.R. Rahman. From "Jai Ho" to "Saada Haq”, the highs of these songs is the best check for any speaker because that’s the region where most falter. And with its full orchestra arrangement like “Yeh Haseen Vadiyan” lets just say rhythms of “Dil Se, Bombay, Roja, Rockstar, Delhi 6, Rangeela” the entire album, his music is a great way to test the limits of your headphones or speakers. Just be prepared to be blown away by the sheer beauty of it all. Also Rahman wins.
Lastly, “Kandisa” by Indian Ocean. I cant believe all these years later, the song is still fresh for me. There’s some magic in the arrangements, that sound, that we experienced for the first time back then.
So there you have it, some of the best Bollywood test songs for speakers. With these tunes in your arsenal, you'll be able to take your music listening experience to the next level. And who knows, maybe you'll even discover a new favorite song or artist along the way. Happy listening!!
Conclusion
Remember that testing is an ongoing process - don't be afraid to experiment with different tracks until you get it just right! So go ahead and start experimenting today -who knows what kind of amazing audio experience awaits?
Let me give you a heads up or rather a warning - I am in no way claiming this is the only list you will need to stick to. I am an audiophile but no expert. With addition to my input a part of it is also crowd sourced. Humnein Sau logon se pooncha.. ;)