Sound test

A sound and audio test for speakers and headphones: check that both sides work, that left and right aren’t swapped, and how much bass and treble you get.

Pre-call check
  1. Mic
  2. Camera
  3. Sound

Press a button. Start with the volume low, especially with headphones.

Did the left beeps come only from the left, and the right only from the right?

runs locally in your browser · nothing is recorded or uploaded

How to run the sound test

This audio test plays every sound on your own device, so it works the same with laptop speakers, desktop speakers, wired headphones and Bluetooth earbuds.

  1. Turn the volume down to start. Test tones are louder than they seem, especially in headphones.
  2. Press Left: three beeps should come from the left side only. Then press Right.
  3. Press Left → right. The tone should travel smoothly from one side to the other.
  4. Press Frequency sweep and note where you start and stop hearing it.
  5. Press Bass test to hear how low your speakers go.

Left right audio test: what the results mean

What you hearLikely cause
Nothing at allWrong output device, muted tab or system volume at zero.
Left beeps come from the rightChannels swapped: headphones on backwards or a balance setting.
One side is silentA loose cable, a broken earcup or a balance set all the way to one side.
Buzzing or rattling in the bass testA loose speaker part, or the volume is too high for small speakers.
Bass test silent on a laptopNormal. Small speakers can’t play below about 150 Hz.

Sound frequency test

The frequency sweep glides from 20 Hz, the lowest note people can hear, up to 20 kHz, the highest. Watch the number and note where the sound starts and where it disappears. Small laptop and phone speakers usually start around 150–300 Hz; good headphones reach 20–30 Hz. At the top end, hearing fades with age: many adults stop hearing the sweep between 12 and 16 kHz, which is normal and not a speaker fault.

Surround sound and multiple speakers

This speaker sound test checks stereo: left, right and center. Surround systems (5.1 and 7.1) play the same left and right channels from their front speakers, so the left and right tests still tell you if the front pair is wired the right way round. To test every surround channel, use the speaker setup tool in your system’s sound settings or your receiver’s test-tone menu.

No sound? Try this

On Windows

  • Click the speaker icon on the taskbar and choose the right output (speakers, headphones or monitor).
  • Open Settings → System → Sound → Volume mixer and make sure the browser isn’t muted.

On a Mac

  • Open System Settings → Sound → Output, pick your device and check the balance slider is centered.

In the browser

  • Right-click the tab and make sure it isn’t muted.
  • On a phone, turn off silent mode; some phones mute web audio when the ringer switch is off.

FAQ

How do I test my speakers or headphones online?

Press Left, then Right. You should hear three beeps from the left speaker only, then from the right speaker only. Use Left → right to hear the sound move across, the frequency sweep to check the full range, and the bass test for low notes.

How do I know if my left and right channels are swapped?

Press Left. If the beeps come from your right speaker or the right earcup, the channels are reversed: check the cable or which side of the headphones is which, and your system's balance setting.

What frequencies can speakers play?

Human hearing runs from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Laptop and phone speakers usually start around 150–300 Hz, so the bass test may be silent on them. Good headphones and speakers with a subwoofer reach 40 Hz or lower.

Why can't I hear the high end of the sweep?

Hearing above 15–16 kHz fades with age, which is completely normal. Many people over 40 stop hearing the sweep somewhere between 12 and 16 kHz.

Does the speaker test work with headphones and Bluetooth?

Yes. It plays through whatever output your device is using. Bluetooth adds a short delay, so the sound may start a moment after you press the button.

More tests

Mic test See your microphone's level live, record a clip and play it back. Camera test Preview your webcam or phone camera, check its resolution, frame rate and lighting. Keyboard test Press every key and see which ones work, stick or ghost. Mouse test Check every button, the scroll wheel and double-click faults. CPS test How many clicks per second can you do? 1, 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds. Double click test Find out if your mouse registers one click as two.