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NJRonbo

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jan 10, 2007
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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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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.
 
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
 
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.

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

Also - the acoustic cover version of Creep by Kina Grannis (is on Apple Music) is a very good listen on the Max.
 
A couple of tracks that show the sub-bass off nicely.

Nola 1 & Old Wounds. Both by PVRIS.
 
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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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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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
 
A Great Big World - Oasis

Adele - Hello

Then pump it up with some,

Scooter - Fire

Prodigy - Smack my bitch up
 
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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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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