How to use this speaker test
This free speaker test checks the most common problems with computer speakers, phone speakers, TV soundbars, Bluetooth speakers and car audio. All you need is a browser. The sounds are created on your own device, so the test works offline once the page has loaded and nothing is recorded.
- Set your device volume to around 30%. You can raise it later. Use the volume slider on this page for fine control.
- Press "Left speaker". Sound should come only from the left side. If it comes from the right, your speakers are swapped. If it comes from both, your device may be set to mono.
- Press "Right speaker". Sound should come only from the right side.
- Press "Both speakers". The sound should feel like it is coming from a point in the middle, between the speakers. If it leans to one side, check the balance setting of your device.
- Run the bass and treble checks to hear whether low and high sounds are clean, without buzzing, rattling or crackling.
- Finish with the full sweep. It glides from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz in 20 seconds. Watch the live readout and note the frequency where you first hear sound and where it fades out.
What each test checks
| Test | What it checks | What a good result sounds like |
|---|---|---|
| Left / Right speaker | That each channel works and is on the correct side | Sound only from the side you selected |
| Both speakers | Stereo balance and centre image | Sound seems to come from the centre |
| Left ↔ Right | Fast channel switching, loose cables | Sound jumps cleanly from side to side |
| Bass check (60 Hz) | Low frequency output and rattles | A smooth, deep hum with no buzzing |
| Treble check (8 kHz) | Tweeter and high frequency output | A clear, steady high tone |
| Full sweep | The whole frequency range of your speakers | A smooth glide with no sudden drop-outs or distortion |
Why the test uses pink noise
The left, right and centre tests use pink noise instead of a single beep. Pink noise contains every frequency at once, with more energy in the lows, which is close to how music sounds. It makes it much easier to tell where a sound is coming from, and problems such as a blown tweeter or a muffled woofer are easier to spot than with a pure tone.
Common speaker problems and how to fix them
No sound at all
- Check that your device is not muted and the correct output is selected. On Windows, click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose your speakers. On a Mac, open System Settings → Sound → Output.
- Make sure the browser tab is not muted. Right-click the tab and look for "Unmute site".
- For Bluetooth speakers, disconnect and reconnect, and confirm the speaker is charged.
- For wired speakers, check the power, the volume knob on the speaker itself and the 3.5 mm or USB cable.
Sound comes from only one speaker
- Check the balance setting. On Windows open Sound settings → your device → Properties and make sure left and right are equal. On iPhone and Android, look under Accessibility → Audio.
- Turn off "Mono audio" if you want true stereo.
- Try a different cable or port. A half-inserted 3.5 mm plug often plays only one channel.
Left and right are swapped
Swap the speaker positions or the left/right cables at the back of the amplifier or speaker. On some speaker systems, the right speaker holds the controls and the left speaker connects to it with a separate cable.
Crackling, buzzing or distortion
- Lower the volume. Many small speakers distort near maximum volume, especially with bass.
- If buzzing appears only at certain bass frequencies, something nearby may be vibrating. Move objects away from the speaker or tighten loose screws.
- Crackling that changes when you move the cable usually means a damaged cable or a dirty connector.
- Constant crackle on all sounds can be a sign of a damaged speaker cone or a driver problem. Update or reinstall the audio driver on a computer.
What frequency range should you expect?
Human hearing covers roughly 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the upper limit drops with age. Speakers are smaller than the sound waves they need to create at low frequencies, so most devices cannot play the very bottom of that range.
| Device | Typical lowest audible bass |
|---|---|
| Phone speaker | around 200–400 Hz |
| Laptop speakers | around 100–200 Hz |
| Small desktop or Bluetooth speaker | around 60–100 Hz |
| Bookshelf speakers | around 45–70 Hz |
| Subwoofer | around 20–40 Hz |
These are rough guide values. Use the bass test to find the exact point where your own speakers stop producing sound.
Testing different types of speakers
Laptop and PC speakers
Run the left and right tests first. Many laptops have speakers on the bottom edge, so placing the laptop on a hard desk instead of a bed or sofa can make a big difference to volume and bass.
Phone speakers
Many phones use the earpiece as a second speaker. Hold the phone sideways (landscape) to hear the stereo effect. If one side is much quieter, the speaker grille may be blocked by dust or a case.
Bluetooth speakers
A single Bluetooth speaker is often mono, so left and right will sound the same. This is normal. If you pair two speakers as a stereo pair, the left and right tests will show which one is which.
TV, soundbar and home theatre
Open this page in the TV browser or cast it from your phone or laptop. For surround systems, the stereo left and right tests check the front speakers. Use the subwoofer test to check the sub.
Frequently asked questions
Is this speaker test free?
Yes. Every test on SpeakerSoundTest.com is free, needs no sign-up and no download.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. The test runs in any modern browser, including Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android. On iPhone, make sure the silent switch is off and the volume is up.
Why can't I hear the bass tone on my phone?
Phone and laptop speakers are too small to reproduce deep bass such as 60 Hz. You may hear only a faint buzz or nothing. Try headphones or external speakers to confirm the test is working.
Why does the sound come from both speakers when I press Left?
Your device or speaker may be set to mono, or you may be using a single Bluetooth speaker, which mixes both channels together. Turn off mono audio in your accessibility settings to hear true stereo.
Can this test damage my speakers?
Not at normal volume. Very loud low frequency tones can damage small speakers, so keep the volume moderate and stop if you hear rattling or distortion.
Do you record my audio?
No. All sounds are generated inside your browser using the Web Audio API. The page does not use your microphone and nothing is uploaded.