We asked top british hi-fi engineers for theirfavourite test tracks– this is what they said

Anyone with a love of hi-fi has a selection of test tracks ready to pull out at any given opportunity – be that for new kit they are auditioning or simply to show off the best abilities of a system they have already lovingly put together.

For the hi-fi engineers tuning the speakers and hi-fi separates that make their way into your home, these test tracks are all the more important. And while the overarching advice for the best test tracks remains to pick songs that you know inside out, it’s always interesting to hear about new music that might help to push your system in new ways – or even show up areas where it could be improved.

We spoke to engineers from some of the industry’s most respected hi-fi brands to find out a few of their favourite tracks to listen to when tuning kit, and why.

DAVID BOSCHSenior research & development engineer, KEF Laura Bat For Lashes

This track has tremendous vocals and a piano melody that is excellent for gauging the tonal balance of a speaker, as well as any resonances in the upper bass and lower midrange – we’ll want to get rid of that for a truly realistic reproduction of voices. Finally, the recording is great to gauge a speaker’s ability to recreate a holographic image of the singer in the listening room.

The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Brendan Perry

This track has a very satisfying low rumble for a bassline, and a panning percussion that is also excellent for tonal balance perception. In particular, this song doesn’t forgive a tweeter that’s being used harder than it should, due to a poorly designed crossover. Perry’s vocals are also potent, well centred and a great way to tell what’s going on that is good (hopefully) or wrong in the low-to-mid crossover region.

ALAN O’ROURKEManaging director, Ruark Audio Bluesville Count Basie

From the opening piano and basslines, to the orchestra each taking their part, this is a gem of a track with wide-ranging dynamics that – on a good system – should absolutely swing and have your feet tapping.

Mary Magdalene Meshell Ndegeocello

A wonderfully produced and recorded album with each track a gem, but I particularly like Mary Magdalene, which has a wonderful rolling bassline that underpins the entire track. If there are shortcomings in a system’s dynamics and bass performance, this track will show it.