Use your ears

The ultimate audio shootout playground. For pros, enthusiasts, musicians, and students.

What Is a Shootout?

A tradition as old as recording

In the audio world, a “shootout” is a side-by-side listening comparison — microphones, preamps, converters, monitors, you name it. Engineers and musicians have been doing them for decades in studios, classrooms, and trade shows to cut through the marketing and let their ears decide.

Sonic Shootouts brings that tradition online and expands it beyond gear. Compare anything with sound — instruments, recording techniques, mix revisions, audio codecs, music theory, or plug-ins. If you can listen to two or more things, you can do a shootout.

Features

Studio-quality tools

Everything you need to compare, learn, and challenge yourself about almost anything related to sound.

Instant Switching

Switch between audio sources with sample-accurate timing. No gaps, no clicks, no artifacts.

Multi-Track Compare

Load up to 8 audio files simultaneously. Switch between them instantly with zero-gap crossfading.

A/B/X Testing

Remove all bias with double-blind comparisons. Track labels are hidden so you judge purely by what you hear.

Polling

Optionally, ask a question and let your audience vote. Gather opinions from listeners and see which tracks come out on top.

Statistical Results

Get confidence scores on your choices. Know whether your preferences are statistically significant.

Cancellation

Null test your audio files. Subtract one from another to hear exactly what's different between them.

Comparison Modes

Choose your method

From casual listening to scientific rigor, Sonic Shootouts supports every evaluation protocol used by audio professionals.

Compare & Listen

Most Popular

Switch between tracks to hear the differences for yourself. Labels can be hidden for a blind test or shown for open exploration. Add polls and notes to capture your impressions.

  • Open or blind listening
  • Optional poll and listener notes
  • Instant A/B switching
  • Works with 2–8 audio files
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How It Works

Explore or create — your call

Explore Shootouts

01

Browse shootouts

Find shootouts by topic — gear comparisons, instrument demos, codec tests, and more.

02

Listen and compare

Switch between tracks with instant A/B switching. Playback is perfectly synchronized and level-matched.

03

Vote and discuss

Cast your vote in polls, leave notes, and see how your ears stack up against the community.

Create Your Own

01

Upload your audio

Drag and drop WAV, FLAC, MP3, AAC, or M4A files. Any combination of formats and sample rates.

02

Pick a template

Start with a preset like Classic Shootout or Poll, then tweak the modes and options to fit your needs.

03

Publish and share

Save as a draft or publish right away. Share the link and let listeners weigh in.