Add them all up, in fact, and you'll find there are a cool 50 tracks in all to whet your surround sound whistles, if you choose to delve even further into these fine, fine artists' respective 5.1 oeuvres. 1 in 15.1, of course! The one caveat I instituted for this list was that I would limit it to just one top track per artist, with the corollary being that I'd also include a pair of 'second takes' from every listed artist at the end of each summary, with the overall winner getting a double-dose of said second takes as part of the reward for being the top 5.1 dog. Ultimately, I decided to go with my top 15.1 surround sound demo tracks, which are presented here in reverse order starting at No. (I aim to please in 360 degrees, after all.) So, with the full-channel blessing of S&V EIC Al Griffin, I've gone ahead and compiled just such a list.

Indeed, some of you have since reached out to me directly and/or emailed S&V inquiring about what specific song in surround sound occupies that hallowed top spot, not to mention suggesting I put together a longer list of my favorite 5.1 demo tracks while I'm at it. I freely admit before all my fellow music lovers and audiophiles alike that I had a very specific ulterior motive when I noted in a recent Remaster Class column that the title track to Yes' September 1972 magnum opus Close to the Edge was my 'second-favorite 5.1 mix.' Following my primary intention of encouraging listeners to marvel at the fully enveloping scope of that song's truly amazing surround sound mix, I figured the next thing anyone reading said comment might wonder would be along the lines of, 'Yeah, cool cool cool, that's great and all-but what's No.

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