A matching system receives probe audio samples for comparison to references of a data store. Comparisons are generated to determine a sufficient match for a portion or a first amount of the probe sample. Ranking scores are assigned to the resulting match references. The match references are retained, unless meeting a score threshold. Comparisons are continually generated with second amounts of the probe sample and the retained references are updated with further matching references assigned ranking scores. The retained results are merged and determined to satisfy a score threshold for release as outputted results for matching references.