With the holiday season already here, it’s time to test out the speakers you just got for yourself (or as a gift). Whether you’ve just purchased a new sound system or are dusting off your old one, some great songs will show off your setup and help you get in the holiday spirit. Let’s look at some of the best pieces to use when testing your speakers this season.
“Jingle Bells” by Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé has become synonymous with Christmas music, so his version of “Jingle Bells” needs to be on the list. Not only does his recording have all of those classic bells ringing throughout, but it also features a full orchestra and choir to fill up all the frequencies in your speakers. It’s perfect for testing your mids, highs, and lows—and getting you into the holiday spirit!
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Love her or hate her, Mariah Carey is an absolute legend during the holidays. Her 1994 song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is arguably one of her best-known tunes, and it is an absolute bop that will put your sound system through its paces. From Mariah’s iconic vocal range to the rumbling bass line underneath it, this song will ensure that every speaker in your system works properly!
“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby is another perennial favorite when Christmas music is discussed. His 1951 recording of “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” which was initially part of his movie “Holiday Inn,” showcases his timeless voice. Testing this track on your speakers will show you just how well they handle mids and highs and give you a little dose of nostalgia while you do it!
These and all other songs are available from most music apps for playing and downloads for as low as $1.99, and even some are royalty-free – you can download and listen to them as many times as you want.
Why test speakers
Testing the quality of your speakers is an essential step in ensuring that you get the best sound possible out of your audio setup. Some crucial tips on stretching your speakers:
- One of the first things to do when testing speaker quality is to play songs emphasizing a wide range of frequencies.
- It is also best to have a hi-fi version of a song. Aside from high-quality mp3s, some audiophiles use lossless audio file formats like FLAC and WAV.
- Songs with low-end bass and high-end treble will allow you to identify any imbalances in the sound.
- Playing music at different volumes can also help identify any distortion that may occur with louder volumes.
This is why most Christmas songs are good choices to test your speakers out — they provide a wide range of sound signatures, from the frequency range, tonal balance, and dynamic range. The most prolific audiophiles also look for more technical specs like spatial separation, mix and detail, and even attack and decay quality.
Alternative songs for testing
In addition to the holiday classics already mentioned, plenty more songs out there make great choices for testing your audio setup. Music online magazines, community-based review sites, and dedicated music apps all recommend these hits since these also offer a wide range of sound features to test your speakers to their fullest.
Treble quality
When testing the treble quality of your speakers, one of the best songs to use is “Lonesome Lover” by Max Roach. This classic jazz piece from his 1960 album “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite” tests your treble performance.
Midrange quality
Testing speakers for midrange quality can be done using songs by Ann Sofie von Otter and Elvis Costello. Von Otter is a Swedish mezzo-soprano best known for her interpretation of baroque music, with a voice that has been described as “warm” and “velvety.” With their collaboration album, “For the Stars,” you can conveniently check your speakers’ mid-range tones.
Test details
Testing your audio for details is necessary if you’re into classical music. “Montagues and Capulets” by Sergei Prokopiev, a big symphonic piece, will let you hear if your speakers can pick up nuances from as little as a snare rattle to the sigh before the full blast of a trombone.
In conclusion
These songs should provide plenty for you to work with when testing those new (or old) speakers this holiday season. These tracks, from holiday compilations to alternative choices, should give you everything you need for a comprehensive speaker test drive.
