W
e hi-fi reviewers all have our go-to test tracks; songs we know better than the back of our hands that allow us to identify certain (often many) aspects of a component or system’s performance. Many of the less obscure ones are referenced in What Hi-Fi? reviews so that readers can, if they so wish, follow our descriptions of how that product delivers the song, at home or during a demo.
Below is a selection of test tracks our review team used most in the past year, a mixture of new releases, oldies-but-goodies that are never far from our Tidal ‘Recently Played’ rotation, and those we have picked up at hi-fi shows (because that’s always a given). So if you’ve got new kit or are simply looking for new music inspiration, this list will hopefully give you a nugget or two.
”It’s a conundrum of a song that demands to be listened to over and over again to solve the puzzle”