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Suggested songs to demo on AirPods Max

N

NJRonbo

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 10, 2007
3,233
1,224
I am picking up my Airpods Max later this morning.

What are some initial songs you would suggest to demo the full capabilities of this headset?

I can listen to anything so feel free to suggest your favorites.
 
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Allyance

Allyance

Contributor
Sep 29, 2017
2,075
7,678
East Bay, CA
The first digital recording I heard was 'Africa" by Toto. I had been in the retail audio business for years, I went into a store in Toronto to hear the Sony CD Walkman and that was the first song that I heard, it blew me away, the dynamic range, the lack of clicks and pops from a phonograph record. If I was getting a pair, that would be my choice to start. Pick a song with good vocals for the mid range, maybe something by Barbra Streisand. A good classical recording that you like. Pick something you like and has some meaning, that you have listened too many times as a reference. Enjoy your new purchase.
There is another thread with a similar title for some suggestions.
 
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7thson

7thson

macrumors 65816
May 13, 2012
1,399
1,551
Six Rivers, CA
Creep - Radiohead
Gabriel’s Oboe - Ennio Morricone
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z (alternative is Brush Your Bittersweet Shoulders Off - DJ Crazy J Rodriguez, but it’s hard to find)
Can’t Help Falling In Love - Kina Grannis
Good Arms Vs Bad Arms - Frightened Rabbit
 
N

NJRonbo

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 10, 2007
3,233
1,224
Allyance said:
The first digital recording I heard was 'Africa" by Toto. I had been in the retail audio business for years, I went into a store in Toronto to hear the Sony CD Walkman and that was the first song that I heard, it blew me away, the dynamic range, the lack of clicks and pops from a phonograph record. If I was getting a pair, that would be my choice to start. Pick a song with good vocals for the mid range, maybe something by Barbra Streisand. A good classical recording that you like. Pick something you like and has some meaning, that you have listened too many times as a reference. Enjoy your new purchase.
There is another thread with a similar title for some suggestions.
Click to expand...

"Africa" happens to be my favorite song of the 80s. You could not have suggested a better song.
 
Pug72

Pug72

macrumors 68020
Mar 18, 2012
2,289
2,251
England
Try One Light Burning by Richie Sambora. A great rock ballad that starts with a single beat with little high intricacies, followed by some mild lead guitar licks that punctuate the track. RS doesn't half a half bad voice either. :)
 
S

soaddk

macrumors member
Mar 17, 2012
91
95
Aarhus, Denmark
7thson said:
Creep - Radiohead
Gabriel’s Oboe - Ennio Morricone
I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton
Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z (alternative is Brush Your Bittersweet Shoulders Off - DJ Crazy J Rodriguez, but it’s hard to find)
Can’t Help Falling In Love - Kina Grannis
Good Arms Vs Bad Arms - Frightened Rabbit
Click to expand...

Also - the acoustic cover version of Creep by Kina Grannis (is on Apple Music) is a very good listen on the Max.
 
Pug72

Pug72

macrumors 68020
Mar 18, 2012
2,289
2,251
England
A couple of tracks that show the sub-bass off nicely.

Nola 1 & Old Wounds. Both by PVRIS.
 
FHoff

FHoff

Suspended
Mar 21, 2020
506
1,131
Rosanna Toto.
My Goto reference for speakers and headphones. Full spectrum of audio and just about every instrument you can imagine in that song.
 
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Julien

Julien

macrumors G4
Jun 30, 2007
11,859
5,445
Atlanta
Super tight bass, deep drums and metallic cymbals
Nils Lofgren Band - Bass and Drum Intro

Harmonics
Tchaikovsky - Sting Sextet- Souvenir de Florence 1st Movement

Ukulele and acoustic guitar and baritone voice
Ulili E (The Wandering Tattler Bird) - Dennis Kamakahi - Hawaiian music

Image, imaging and more imaging - if this sounds flat return immediately
The Holy Men - World Saxophone Quartet

Original 1959 recording that the quality will blow your mind
Take Five - Dave Brubeck

You need some piano and this is very upbeat/march
Chopin - Polonaise No. 3 "Military"

One of the cleanest, tightest, detailed rock songs
Dire Straits - Ride Across The River

Smooth Jazz that is SO CLEAN
Holly Cole - Train Song

Great progressive rock sound quality with low compression
Porcupine Tree - Even Less

Here is a new just released that is a good listen
Paul McCartney - Long Tailed Winter Bird
 
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Dubadai

Dubadai

macrumors regular
Jun 16, 2015
175
125
Stockholm, Sweden
Anything that has a fantastic sound stage!

Help Me Lose My Mind - London Grammar, Disclosure

Swimmers - Zero 7

Contact - Daft Punk

Another Brick in The Wall, Pt.2 - Pink Floyd


Just generally good song with some good bass:

Dancing on the Ceiling - Lionel Richie
 
B

Bravia3d

macrumors regular
Nov 9, 2013
139
74
A Great Big World - Oasis

Adele - Hello

Then pump it up with some,

Scooter - Fire

Prodigy - Smack my bitch up
 
N

NJRonbo

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 10, 2007
3,233
1,224
Hey Guys! Original poster here.

I have taken every single one of your songs with the exception of one that was not available on Qobuz and created a playlist to test out my Airpods Max.

Thank you so much. Any further suggestions will also be added to my playlist and you have my thanks.
 
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trevpimp

trevpimp

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2009
697
301
Inside A Mac Box
If you like Rap from the Atlanta era of hip hop listen to 'Cashin Out' by Cash Out

you gotta either stream it on Apple Music or find a 320kbps file of it to hear the full instrumentals
 
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