Best Songs to Test Headphones and Speakers
The best songs to test headphones are tracks you know well plus a few that each reveal one thing: deep bass, fine treble detail, stereo width or natural vocals. Listen at a moderate, equal volume, and compare one pair against another with the same song and source.
Songs by what they test
Bass
- Daft Punk – "Doin' It Right": deep, steady synth bass: it should sound clean, not boomy.
- Massive Attack – "Angel": slow bass line from the start: listen for control and no rattles.
- Billie Eilish – "bad guy": sub-bass under a quiet vocal: good headphones keep both clear.
Detail and treble
- Steely Dan – "Aja": a famously well-recorded track: cymbals and guitars should be crisp, not harsh.
- Norah Jones – "Don't Know Why": soft voice and piano: listen for breath and the decay of notes.
- Tracy Chapman – "Fast Car": acoustic guitar picking: each string should be distinct.
Stereo width and imaging
- The Beatles – "Taxman" (original stereo mix): instruments are hard-panned left and right: an easy left/right check.
- Pink Floyd – "Money": the cash-register loop moves across the stereo field.
- Hans Zimmer – "Time": builds from quiet to very wide and deep: watch the volume.
Vocals and mids
- Adele – "Hello": powerful vocal: it should stay full without sounding shouty.
- Leonard Cohen – "You Want It Darker": deep male voice up front: listen for warmth, not muddiness.
- Fleetwood Mac – "Dreams": drums, bass and voices in balance: a good everyday reference.
Song choices are listening suggestions, not measurements. Use the best quality your streaming service offers.
Test with tones too
Songs show how headphones sound with music. Tones show exactly what works: run the headphone test, the bass test and the left right test as well.
Are you a singer? Find your vocal range on vocalrange.net.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best song to test headphones?
There is no single best song. Use one song you know very well plus one for bass, one for detail and one for stereo width. Your own familiar music is the best reference, because you know how it should sound.
What song is good for a bass test?
Tracks with steady, deep bass lines work well, such as "Doin' It Right" by Daft Punk or "Angel" by Massive Attack. For pure tones, the bass test on this site lets you check single frequencies.
Should I use streaming or files?
Use the highest quality setting your service offers and the same source for every pair you compare. Low-quality streams can hide the detail you are listening for. Turn off any EQ or sound effects so you hear the headphones themselves.
How loud should I listen when testing?
At a comfortable, moderate level, the same for every pair. Louder almost always sounds "better" for a moment, which makes comparisons unfair and can harm your hearing. Take short breaks between songs.
What should I listen for?
Bass that is deep but not boomy, clear voices, cymbals that are crisp but not harsh, and instruments placed clearly left, right and center. Then check that nothing rattles or distorts.
Last updated: October 13, 2026