Recent Film Scores for Testing High-End Headphones

When talking about the music I gravitate to when I test a new pair of headphones, I tend to concentrate on highly immersive tracks. I recently wrote an article about all the ambient music I enjoy when reviewing gear, but there’s another genre I favor too: film scores. Orchestral music has always been a favorite for audiophiles trying to hear the most from their setups, but film scores can be broader than that. They can work with electronic elements, sound design, and anything accompanying a film’s soundscape. My love of music is equal to my love of film, so testing high-end headphones with film scores always made a ton of sense to me. For this guide, I wanted to concentrate on film scores released in the last few years that I’ve regularly used to review headphones.

Why Test Headphones with Film Scores?

Music that consists of a wide dynamic range and intricate layering of sound is always key to revealing the full potential of your headphones. Film scores contain these qualities, allowing you to properly asses elements like the soundstage, clarity, and detail within the headphone’s frequency response.

Top Recent Film Scores to Test Your Headphones

1. “Infinity Pool” (2023) by Tim Hecker

I mentioned Tim Hecker in my ambient music article, so it fits that one of his film scores would be part of this list. As always, Hecker brings his haunting, experimental compositions to this atmospheric score. You’ll find a lot of these sensibilities in modern horror scores, and Hecker makes it the perfect fit for the film it’s accompanying. Tracks like “The Beach” which features distorted synths and deep, resonant bass help distinguish your headphone’s low-frequency capabilities. It will also test your headphone’s ability to reproduce layered soundscapes that are more abstract.

2. “Dune: Part II” (2024) by Hans Zimmer

Any guide on headphone testing is bound to mention Hans Zimmer in some capacity. His scores for films like “Interstellar” have been favorites for audiophile test tracks, and his more recent work is no different. I loved Zimmer’s score for the first installment, but his score for Part II kicks things up a notch. The female vocal chant that has become this soundtrack’s most famous sonic signifier is actually a great element to test a wide range of frequencies within a vocal. It’s also a fantastic way to judge the dynamic range and soundstage of your headphones.

3. “The Boy and the Heron” (2023) by Joe Hisaishi

I’ve written about Joe Hisaishi’s score for “The Boy and the Heron” before, and it’s only fitting to mention it here. It’s one of the more traditional orchestral scores on this list, but it’s particularly lush, accompanied by delicate piano melodies. If you’re looking for music that will help you evaluate your headphone’s midrange and treble clarity, this soundtrack’s soaring strings and intricate instrumentals are a fantastic indicator.

4. “Malignant” (2021) by Joseph Bishara

I find that horror movies provide some of the most unique scores to use for test tracks. Joseph Bishara’s score for Malignant combines typical aggressive string sections with eerie drones to create moments that border on chaos. Whether your headphones can provide clarity and make sense of this soundtrack will tell you how well your headphones perform.

5. “Nope” (2022) by Michael Abels

Another soundtrack that brilliantly combines strings and electronic instruments is Michael Ables’ score for Nope. The score contains many dramatic swells paired with effects meant to unsettle you. It’s a dynamic shift that a good pair of headphones will be able to articulate properly. The use of atmospheric sounds contrasts with Abels’ use of bombast, and it will help indicate how your headphones handle the space between these moments without any distortion.