When you get your hands on a shiny new pair of headphones or speakers, the first thing you do is fire up a track to test them out. Everyone has their go-to: some use Dark Side of the Moon, others crank up Daft Punk, or maybe a well-worn Steely Dan track.
But I recently stumbled across something a little different—and honestly, it might be the most complete audio test album I’ve ever heard. It’s called Squillopian Dreams.
This thing is wild. It doesn’t sound like a standard reference track, but that’s exactly why it’s brilliant for testing audio gear. It throws everything at you:
- Deep, rich bass that really pushes low-end drivers to their limits.
- Shocking trebles and cymbal crashes—if your headphones are harsh, you’ll feel it immediately.
- Quiet, subtle passages where detail and clarity matter. Great for spotting hiss or poor dynamic range.
- Harsh flutes and high tones that will reveal whether your setup can balance brightness without sounding shrill.
- Sudden dynamic swings—it can go from barely a whisper to a wall of sound in a heartbeat.
Basically, it’s a sonic obstacle course.
I tested it out on a pair of AirPods Pro 3 and was floored. The spatial separation, the bass control, the sparkle in the highs—it all came through beautifully. And I imagine it would sound even more jaw-dropping on high-end cans or a serious speaker setup.
So if you’re looking for a new “secret weapon” test album for your next piece of gear, give Squillopian Dreams a spin. It might not be on the usual audiophile lists, but that’s exactly why it’s such a gem.