True left and right channels
Sound is routed to exactly one channel at a time, with animated speakers and live L and R level meters so you can see which side should be playing.
Speakers, headphones and subwoofers
Speaker Test Left and right sound test for speakers and headphones
This free online speaker test checks your left and right channels, stereo balance and speaker phase, runs a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency sweep and tests your subwoofer, with live level meters for each side.
- Left and right test
- Frequency sweep
- Bass and subwoofer
- Phase check
Speaker and headphone test
LEFT
Choose a test below to start.
RIGHT
Test sound
You should hear the sound only from the matching side. Keys: L left, R right, B both, S sweep, Space stop.
Play a smooth sweep from deep bass to the highest treble, or pick any frequency by hand. Press I stopped hearing it the moment the tone disappears.
Sweep
Channel
--Hz
Start at low volume. Very high tones can seem quiet and then suddenly loud, and can damage hearing or tweeters at high volume.
Play a steady low tone to check your subwoofer or bass response. You should hear or feel a smooth hum without rattles, buzzing or distortion. Tap a tone again to stop it.
Phone and laptop speakers usually can't reproduce tones below about 100 to 200 Hz, so silence at the lowest buttons is normal on small devices.
Play the same noise to both speakers in phase, then with one side inverted. In phase should sound full and focused in the middle. Out of phase should sound thin, hollow and spread out. If it's the other way round, one speaker's wires are probably swapped.
Sit centered between the speakers for this test. It doesn't apply to single speakers or most phones.
Why it's better
Why this online speaker test is better
Most speaker tests play one left and one right sound and stop there. This one covers everything you'd check when setting up new speakers, headphones or a home theater.
Stereo sweep and phase check
Hear a sound glide smoothly from left to right, and run an in-phase versus out-of-phase test to catch reversed speaker wires.
20 Hz to 20 kHz sweep
Sweep the full audible range and mark where the sound disappears, or dial in any single frequency with the manual tone slider.
Subwoofer and bass test
Play steady tones from 20 to 120 Hz or a bass sweep to check how deep your speakers go and spot rattles or buzzing.
Chime, pink and white noise
Choose a pleasant chime for quick checks, or pink and white noise for balancing levels and positioning speakers.
Works with any output
Test laptop speakers, wired or Bluetooth headphones, soundbars, TVs over HDMI and USB audio, with no app or download.
How it compares with typical speaker tests
| Feature | This speaker test | Typical speaker test sites |
|---|---|---|
| Left and right channel test | Yes, with live L/R meters | Yes |
| Stereo panning sweep | Yes | Sometimes |
| Phase (polarity) test | Yes | Rarely |
| Frequency sweep with result | Yes, 20 Hz to 20 kHz | Usually a separate site |
| Subwoofer bass tones | 9 tones plus a sweep | Rarely |
| Test sound choice | Chime, pink, white noise, tone | Often one sound |
| Built-in limiter to prevent clipping | Yes | Rarely |
How to use
How to test your speakers or headphones
A full check takes about a minute. Use the same volume you normally listen at, or a little lower.
Testing a microphone instead? Use the online mic test, or play custom frequencies with the tone generator.
Set a safe volume
Turn your device volume to about half and start this page's volume slider low. Raise it gradually if needed.
Test left and right
Press Left, then Right, or use Auto test. Each sound should come only from the matching speaker or ear.
Check the stereo image
Press Sweep L to R. The sound should glide smoothly from one side to the other without jumps or gaps.
Test the range and bass
Run the frequency sweep, then open Bass to check low tones and listen for rattles or distortion.
Confirm the phase
With two speakers, compare In phase and Out of phase. In phase should sound fuller and centered.
Troubleshooting
Left or right speaker not working? Quick fixes
Most one-sided sound problems come from a loose connection or a system setting rather than broken hardware.
One side is silent
Check the cable and push the plug fully into the jack. Then check the balance slider: on Windows open Settings, System, Sound, your output device; on a Mac open System Settings, Sound, Output, Balance.
Left and right are swapped
Make sure headphones are worn the right way round (look for the L and R marks). For speakers, swap the left and right cables at the amplifier or computer.
Sound plays on both sides for Left
Mono audio is probably turned on. On iPhone open Settings, Accessibility, Audio and Visual; on Android look under Accessibility for Mono audio. Many phones and small speakers are mono anyway.
Distortion, buzzing or rattles
Lower the volume first. If bass tones still rattle, check for loose grilles or objects touching the speaker, and move the subwoofer away from walls and furniture.
Frequency guide
What each frequency range sounds like
Human hearing spans roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz in young people, and the upper limit usually falls with age. Most speakers only cover part of that range, which is why the sweep can go silent before the end.
The frequency sweep is a speaker check, not a medical hearing test. If you're worried about your hearing, see an audiologist.
| Range | Name | What you hear |
|---|---|---|
| 20 to 60 Hz | Sub-bass | Rumble you feel more than hear; needs a subwoofer |
| 60 to 250 Hz | Bass | Kick drums, bass guitar, warmth and punch |
| 250 Hz to 2 kHz | Midrange | Most of the voice and instruments |
| 2 to 6 kHz | Presence | Clarity of speech and attack of sounds |
| 6 to 20 kHz | Treble | Cymbals, air and sparkle; fades first with age |
Benefits
When to run a speaker test
A quick test saves time and money whenever sound seems off or you set up new equipment.
New headphones or earbuds
Check both sides work, the channels aren't swapped and the bass sounds as advertised before the return window closes.
Home theater setup
Confirm left and right placement, wiring polarity and subwoofer output after connecting a soundbar or amplifier.
Gaming and streaming
Positional audio in games depends on correct channels. Check them before a match so footsteps come from the right side.
Troubleshooting
Quickly tell whether a problem is the speaker, the cable or a system setting before calling for repairs.
Popular checks
- Left right headphone test
- Bluetooth earbuds test
- Laptop speaker test
- Subwoofer test
- Soundbar setup
- Car audio check
- Stereo balance
- Speaker polarity
FAQ
Speaker test FAQ
How do I test my left and right speakers?
Press Left, then Right. You should hear the sound only from that side. If it comes from the wrong side, your speakers or headphones are swapped; if one side is silent, check the cable, balance settings and mono audio setting.
Why do I hear sound from both sides when I press Left?
Mono audio is probably turned on in your accessibility settings, or your device has a single speaker. Many phones and small Bluetooth speakers combine both channels. Try headphones to test true stereo.
How do I know if I'm wearing headphones the right way?
Most headphones are marked L and R. Play the Left test: if you hear it in your right ear, you're wearing them backwards or the channels are swapped.
What is a speaker phase test?
It plays the same noise to both speakers normally, then with one side inverted. In phase should sound focused in the center, and out of phase should sound hollow and spread out. If it's the other way round, one speaker's wires are reversed.
How do I test my subwoofer?
Open the Bass test and play 30 to 80 Hz tones at moderate volume. You should hear or feel a steady rumble without rattles or buzzing. Small speakers can't reproduce the lowest tones.
What frequency range can humans hear?
Roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz for young people, and the upper limit usually falls with age. The sweep shows where your hearing or your speakers stop, but it is not a medical hearing test.
Is this speaker test safe for my speakers?
Yes, at sensible volume. Start low, avoid long high-frequency tones at high volume on tweeters and headphones, and stop if you hear distortion. A built-in limiter also prevents digital clipping.
Does it work with Bluetooth headphones and TVs?
Yes. The test plays through whatever audio output your device is using, including Bluetooth, HDMI and USB audio. Some Bluetooth headsets switch to mono when their microphone is in use.
Why can't I hear very low or very high tones?
Small speakers, phones and laptops physically can't produce deep bass, and high-frequency hearing declines with age. Try good headphones to hear more of the range.
Check your sound in one minute
Left, right, stereo, bass and phase, all from your browser. Free, instant and works with any speakers or headphones.
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