Elvis Costello's renowned song serves as an unusual audio benchmark, deviating from typical uses.
In the world of audiophiles, Elvis Costello's song "Veronica" from his 1989 album "Spike" has gained a unique status. Known for its up-tempo melancholic tune, the track serves as a litmus test for evaluating a hi-fi system's ability to handle poor quality recordings.
Streamed from sources like Tidal or Qobuz, the recording of "Veronica" is often described as lean, thin, harsh, and coarse, with a noticeable brightness in the top-end. This can make the snare drums sound hard and rattly, while the glockenspiel notes and guitar can tip the balance towards excessive top-end brightness.
Yet, this challenging recording is a valuable track for revealing an aspect of hi-fi that's often overlooked but essential for long-term enjoyment. A forgiving hi-fi system is needed to ensure that the listener's ears aren't negatively affected by the recording's flaws.
Two pairs of audiophile headphones worth considering in this regard are the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X and the Fyne Audio F502S. The Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X headphones refuse to round off any hard or harsh edges but rarely shys away from showing a recording's outlandish or challenging features. On the other hand, the Fyne Audio F502S evidence a similarly canny balance, revealing what's going on a track without exacerbating irksome elements.
Hundreds of pairs of audiophile headphones have been reviewed, but going back to wireless headphones after using the five-star wired Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X can be nearly impossible. The Fyne Audio F502S speakers, manufactured by Fyne Audio, have the insight and detail levels to bring out what's going on a track, be it good, bad, or anything in between.
Moreover, "Veronica" can be used as a musical shortcut for system matching various components or seeing how well run-in a pair of wired headphones are. Listening to "Veronica" at higher volumes or using a pair of decent wired headphones can make the recording's flaws more pronounced, offering a comprehensive test for any hi-fi setup.
In conclusion, while "Veronica" may not be everyone's favourite tune, it undoubtedly holds a special place in the hearts of audiophiles as a test track for evaluating the performance of hi-fi systems and audiophile headphones.
