How to do a bass test
This bass test plays pure low frequency sine waves so you can find out how deep your speakers, subwoofer, soundbar, car audio or headphones really go. Unlike music, a single tone shows exactly which frequencies your system can and cannot play.
- Lower the volume on your device and on the speaker or amplifier.
- Press 100 Hz. Almost every speaker except a phone can play this, so use it to set a comfortable volume.
- Work your way down through 80, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25 and 20 Hz. Note the lowest tone you can clearly hear or feel.
- Run "Sweep up". The readout shows the frequency as it rises from 20 to 200 Hz. The number shown when the bass first becomes audible is roughly the low limit of your system.
- Listen for problems during the sweep: buzzing, rattling, a "flapping" sound, or one frequency that is much louder than the rest.
Bass frequency ranges explained
| Range | Frequencies | What you hear in music |
|---|---|---|
| Deep sub-bass | 20–30 Hz | Rumble in films, pipe organs, 808 drops. Felt more than heard. |
| Sub-bass | 30–60 Hz | The low end of bass guitar and electronic music |
| Bass | 60–120 Hz | Kick drum punch and the body of the bass line |
| Upper bass | 120–250 Hz | Warmth of voices, cello and low piano notes |
How low can different speakers go?
| Speaker type | Typical audible limit |
|---|---|
| Phone speaker | 200–400 Hz |
| Laptop speakers | 100–200 Hz |
| Portable Bluetooth speaker | 60–100 Hz |
| Soundbar without subwoofer | 60–90 Hz |
| Bookshelf speakers | 45–70 Hz |
| Floor-standing speakers | 30–45 Hz |
| Home or car subwoofer | 20–35 Hz |
If you hear nothing on a phone or laptop below 100 Hz, the test is still working. The speaker is simply too small. Try headphones to confirm.
Subwoofer test tips
Check the crossover
Most home theatre receivers send everything below about 80 Hz to the subwoofer. Play 60 Hz and 100 Hz and walk close to the subwoofer and then the main speakers. At 60 Hz the sound should come mainly from the sub. At 100 Hz it should come mainly from the main speakers. If there is a big gap in volume between 80 and 120 Hz during the sweep, adjust the crossover or the subwoofer's low-pass setting.
Find the best position
Room shape has a huge effect on bass. Some frequencies get much louder and others nearly disappear depending on where you sit. Run the slow subwoofer sweep from your listening seat. If one note booms, try moving the subwoofer away from the corner or a short distance along the wall, then repeat the test.
Set the phase
Many subwoofers have a phase switch (0° / 180°). Play 80 Hz from your seat and flip the switch. Keep the setting where the tone sounds louder and fuller.
Find rattles
During a slow sweep, objects in the room, car door panels and loose speaker grilles can buzz at certain frequencies. Note the frequency, then play that single tone again to find and fix the source.
Bass test for car audio
Connect your phone to the car stereo by Bluetooth or cable and open this page. Start with the volume low and the engine running. Play the sweep and listen for rattles in door panels, the rear deck and the trunk lid. A subwoofer that sounds strong at 40–50 Hz but weak at 30 Hz is normal for many sealed enclosures. If the bass seems to come from the front instead of the rear, check the subwoofer phase or the delay setting on your head unit.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I hear 20 Hz?
20 Hz is at the very bottom of human hearing and most speakers cannot reproduce it. Even with a good subwoofer, you often feel it as pressure or vibration rather than hear it as a note.
Is a bass test safe for my speakers?
Yes, at sensible volume. Small speakers can be damaged by loud deep bass, so start low, raise the volume slowly and stop if you hear distortion or the speaker cone flapping.
What is the best frequency to test a subwoofer?
Start with 40, 60 and 80 Hz, then run the slow subwoofer sweep from 15 to 120 Hz. This shows the depth, the crossover region and any room boom in one test.
Why are some notes much louder than others?
This is usually caused by the room, not the speaker. Sound waves reflect off walls and either add up or cancel out. Moving the subwoofer or your seat changes which notes are loud.
Does this work with headphones?
Yes. Good headphones can often play deeper bass than speakers because they are so close to your ears. See the headphone test for more checks.