Examining Headphones as My Day Job: Discover My Top 7 Audio Tracks for Evaluating New Earphones
As the chief headphone reviewer at Tom's Guide, I have a set of seven tracks that I test first to dial in EQs and get a clear early picture of the headphone's performance. This playlist, available on Qobuz, Tidal, and Spotify, is my go-to for assessing the audio quality of various headphones, earbuds, speakers, and more.
Opeth's "Coil" kicks off the playlist. The wind section in this track should be wide and spacious, while the voices should be crystal clear and well separated from the guitars. The massive bass in this song should be headshaking, and the lead guitar that lies over the top should be easily picked out from the din.
The second track is Myrkur's "House Carpenter". This track is an intriguing addition to the playlist, as it offers a unique blend of classical and folk elements. The soft drum should be audible, and the rhythmic string section needs to have snap. The violas and cellos should be almost three-dimensional, and Myrkur's voice needs to be right at the forefront, clear and bright. The chorus should be smooth and well placed.
Pat Metheny Group's "Last Train Home" is the fourth track on the list. The slick synth that underlines the entire piece should fill the gaps without taking centre stage. The bass guitar should be deep and low, and perfectly audible. The pianos need to ring out with the perfect timbre, and the drums should be quick and sharp.
The fifth track is Fatima Al Qadiri's "Hip Hop Spa". The steel pan samples in this song need to ring out, and the massive bass should be headshaking. The crash of cymbals and the rush of the full orchestral weight pushing down on the listener's head should be felt.
Mogwai's "Ritchie Sacramento" is the third track on the list. The lightly distorted guitars need to wobble, and the synths and their bright focal points need to be clear and bright. The vocals have to bring a certain degree of presence, but never take away from the rest of the track. The author wants to come away from this track feeling satisfied.
The sixth track is Tchaikovsky's "Rite of Spring". This classical music piece is a test for any pair of headphones, and there's little that tests everything that a set of cans can do than this masterpiece. The strings need to feel massive, and the crash of cymbals and the rush of the full orchestral weight pushing down on the listener's head should be felt. The quiet sections need to be quiet, and the loud sections to be deafeningly loud, without having to adjust the volume control.
The seventh and final track is Watain's "Before the Cataclysm". This track is a sonic maelstrom that should place the listener in the middle of the action. The drums need to be powerful, and the guitars need to be distinguishable from the bass. A lot is going on in this track, but good headphones should be able to keep it from becoming a massive wall of noise. The vocals should be scratchy and scary.
This playlist is not only a testament to the diversity of music but also a showcase for the capabilities of various audio equipment. Whether you're a music enthusiast or a headphone connoisseur, this playlist is sure to provide an engaging and immersive listening experience.
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