When you’re testing a hi-fi system, not all songs are created equal. The right tracks will push your speakers, amp, and source to their limits — revealing every detail, dynamic shift, and subtle nuance in the music.
This isn’t about “the best songs ever” — it’s about recordings that can tell you how your system really sounds. Whether you’re setting up a new purchase, auditioning gear, or just indulging in a little critical listening, these 10 picks will help you hear your system at its best. We've even matched them with some stunning hi-fi combinations.
And yes — we’ve made it easy. You can find all of these tracks in our Peter Tyson Audiophile Demo Essentials Playlist on Spotify (embedded below), so you can press play and get listening straight away.
1. Miles Davis – So What
What to listen for: This iconic jazz classic from Kind of Blue is all about soundstage and realism. Listen for the placement of each instrument in space, the natural timbre of brass, and the texture in the snare brushes.
Hear it best on: Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 paired with the Audiolab 9000A for pristine detail and airy imaging.
2. Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
What to listen for: Crystal-clear female vocals and natural piano tones. This track is a perfect test for midrange smoothness and vocal intimacy.
Hear it best on: KEF LS50 Meta powered by the Marantz Model 30 for a warm yet revealing presentation.
3. Eagles – Hotel California (Live, Hell Freezes Over)
In a demo room this song is as common as someone playing Smoke on the Water in a guitar shop (so, very) - but it’s for good reason.
What to listen for: The live version’s opening acoustic guitars and crowd ambience will tell you everything about your system’s ability to reproduce space and realism.
Hear it best on: Focal Aria Evo X No1 driven by the Naim Uniti Atom for rich, expansive sound.
4. Led Zeppelin – When the Levee Breaks
What to listen for: Legendary drum sound with huge room reverb, deep bass, and powerful dynamics. Great for stress-testing low-end control.
Hear it best on: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 with the Audiolab 7000A for punchy, controlled bass.
5. Nick Drake – Pink Moon
What to listen for: Stripped-back acoustic guitar and gentle vocals. Perfect for checking tonal accuracy and low-level detail.
Hear it best on: Wharfedale Denton 85s powered by a Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier for a natural, intimate presentation.
6. Daft Punk – Contact
What to listen for: A build from quiet ambience to full-throttle electronic chaos. This track will reveal your system’s speed, bass extension, and dynamic headroom.
Hear it best on: Q Acoustics Concept 50 with the Marantz Model 40n for clean, high-energy playback.
7. Hans Zimmer – Time
What to listen for: Sweeping strings and swelling dynamics from the Inception soundtrack. A great test for orchestral scale and emotional impact.
Hear it best on: Focal Kanta No. 2 powered by the Naim NAP 250 + Naim NSC 222 (pictured above) for a truly cinematic scale and an audiophiles dream system.
8. Massive Attack – Angel
What to listen for: Deep, slow-building basslines and atmospheric layering. If your speakers can’t dig deep, you’ll know it here.
Hear it best on: DALI Opticon 8 MK2 with the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 for deep, textured low end.
9. Steely Dan – Aja
What to listen for: Meticulous production with layers of instrumentation. Ideal for checking clarity, separation, and tonal balance.
Hear it best on: Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 with the Marantz Model 30 for accuracy and refinement.
10. Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles
What to listen for: A binaural masterpiece. Listen for pinpoint placement of each bouncing ball and the sense of 3D space.
Hear it best on: KEF R3 Meta with the Audiolab 9000A for holographic imaging.
Hi-Fi Testing Tips
• Sit in the sweet spot — centred between the speakers at ear height.
• Use lossless streaming or high-quality physical formats for the most accurate results.
• Avoid heavily compressed tracks when assessing detail.
• Keep the volume at a moderate but engaging level — overly loud can mask flaws.
Hear the Difference for Yourself
We’ve put all 10 tracks, and more, into our Peter Tyson Audiophile Demo Essentials Playlist on Spotify so you can try them on your own system. Or, better still — come into our Carlisle or Newcastle stores and hear them on a professionally set-up system from brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, Naim, and more.
Your ears will thank you.