18 Best Songs to Test Your Hi-Fi Speakers (And Reveal Their True Potential)

Updated at: 12/05/2025

This isn't about a specific artist, band, or album, but rather a curated selection of tracks designed to showcase the full potential of your hi-fi system. The goal is to celebrate the remarkable range and depth of sound engineering that exists within popular music, offering a journey through diverse genres and production styles. From the shimmering synth-pop of iconic 80s anthems to the intricate guitar work found in classic rock masterpieces, this collection offers a sonic tapestry woven from decades of musical innovation. You'll encounter tracks that challenge your system's ability to reproduce crisp highs and booming lows, revealing the subtle nuances often missed on less-capable equipment.

Think of it as a high-fidelity audiophile's greatest hits, highlighting songs that have stood the test of time not just for their lyrical prowess and cultural impact, but also for their breathtaking sonic landscapes. Whether it's the intricate percussion on a funky 70s hit, the soaring vocals in a classic rock ballad, or the breathtaking production of a modern pop masterpiece, each selection has been chosen for its ability to reveal the strengths (and perhaps weaknesses) of your audio setup. By listening to this list, you'll not only experience these timeless songs anew but also gain a deeper appreciation for the capabilities of your hi-fi system.

  • Blinding Lights
    1

    Blinding Lights

    The Weeknd

    2019

    After Hours

  • Get Lucky
    2

    Get Lucky

    Pharrell Williams,Daft Punk

    2013

  • Hotel California
    3

    Hotel California

    The Eagles

    1976

  • Rosanna
    4

    Rosanna

    TOTO

    1982

  • Money For Nothing
    5

    Money For Nothing

    Dire Straits

    1985

    Money For Nothing (2022 Remaster)

  • Easy Lover
    6

    Easy Lover

    Phil Collins,Philip Bailey

    1985

  • Angel
    7

    Angel

    Massive Attack,Horace Andy

    1994

    Mezzanine

  • Paranoid Android
    8

    Paranoid Android

    Radiohead

    1997

    OK Computer

  • Money
    9

    Money

    Pink Floyd

    1973

    The Dark Side of the Moon

  • Ready For The Floor
    10

    Ready For The Floor

    Hot Chip

    2024

  • Go Your Own Way
    11

    Go Your Own Way

    Fleetwood Mac

    1977

    Rumours

  • Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
    12

    Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

    Johann Sebastian Bach

    1704

  • The National Anthem
    13

    The National Anthem

    Radiohead

    2000

  • Turn Your Lights Down Low
    14

    Turn Your Lights Down Low

    The Wailers,Bob Marley

    1977

  • Uh Uh
    15

    Uh Uh

    Thundercat

    2017

  • Keith Don't Go
    16

    Keith Don't Go

    Nils Lofgren

    1975

  • Terry's Song
    17

    Terry's Song

    Bruce Springsteen

    2005

  • Lonesome Lover
    18

    Lonesome Lover

    Max Roach

    1956