How to test your headphones
This headphone test works with over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, wired earphones, wireless earbuds such as AirPods and Galaxy Buds, and gaming headsets. It runs entirely in your browser and takes about two minutes.
- Connect your headphones and lower the volume. Make sure they are selected as the audio output of your phone or computer.
- Check the left and right channels. The left button should play only in your left ear and the right button only in your right ear. The centre button should feel like it is coming from inside the middle of your head.
- Run the phase check. "In phase" should sound focused and centred. "Out of phase" should sound wide, strange or hollow, as if it comes from outside your head. If the two sound the other way round, one side of your headphones is wired with reversed polarity.
- Run the bass sweep. Good headphones produce audible bass from around 20–30 Hz. Note the frequency in the readout when you first start to hear it.
- Run the full and treble sweeps. Listen for rattles, buzzing, sudden jumps in volume, or one ear dropping out before the other.
What the results mean
| What you hear | Likely meaning |
|---|---|
| Left and right are reversed | Headphones are on the wrong ears (check the L/R marks), or the device has swapped channels. |
| One side is quieter | Earwax or dust in the mesh, a balance setting, or a failing driver. |
| Sound in both ears when you press Left | Mono audio is switched on, or the plug is only half inserted. |
| "In phase" sounds wide and "out of phase" sounds centred | One driver is wired with reversed polarity. |
| Bass starts only above 60–80 Hz | Poor seal around the ear, or small budget drivers. |
| Crackling during the sweep | Damaged driver, loose cable, or Bluetooth interference. |
Why the phase test matters
When both headphone drivers move in the same direction at the same time they are "in phase", and your brain places the sound in the centre of your head. If one driver is wired backwards, the two drivers push and pull against each other. Bass becomes weak, voices lose focus and the stereo image feels strange. This is rare in factory headphones but common after a cable repair or with cheap replacement cables. The phase test makes the problem easy to hear.
How to fix common headphone problems
Sound only in one ear
- Unplug the headphones and plug them in again firmly. For wireless earbuds, put both back in the case for ten seconds and reconnect.
- Check your balance setting. On iPhone, go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Balance. On Android, look in Settings → Accessibility → Audio adjustment. On Windows, open the device properties in Sound settings.
- Try a different device. If the problem follows the headphones, the cable or driver is faulty.
Weak bass
- Earbuds need a good seal. Try a larger or smaller ear tip size.
- Over-ear headphones lose bass when worn over glasses or with worn-out ear pads.
- Check that a "bass reduction" equalizer is not active on your phone or music app.
Crackling or static
- For wired headphones, move the cable near the plug while the sweep is playing. If the sound cuts in and out, the cable is damaged.
- For Bluetooth, move closer to the device and away from Wi-Fi routers and microwaves.
- Clean the headphone jack or charging port carefully with a dry soft brush.
How high can you hear?
The treble sweep is also a simple way to check your own upper hearing limit. Young adults can often hear up to 17–19 kHz, while many adults over 40 stop hearing somewhere between 12 and 15 kHz. This is a normal part of ageing. The result also depends on your headphones and sound card, so this is not a medical hearing test. If you are worried about your hearing, see a hearing professional.
Frequently asked questions
Does this headphone test work with AirPods and wireless earbuds?
Yes. Any headphones that your phone or computer can play sound through will work, including AirPods, Galaxy Buds and other Bluetooth earbuds.
Why do I hear the left sound in both ears?
Mono audio is probably enabled in your accessibility settings, or your earbuds are set to share a single channel. Turn mono audio off and test again.
What does "out of phase" mean?
It means the same sound is sent to both ears but with one side inverted. It sounds wide or hollow. If "in phase" sounds like that instead, one of your headphone drivers is wired backwards.
How low should good headphones go?
Good over-ear headphones and well-sealed earbuds can usually produce audible bass from about 20–30 Hz. If you only hear bass above 60 Hz, check the fit or ear tips first.
Is this a hearing test?
No. It is a test for your headphones. The treble sweep can give a rough idea of your upper hearing limit, but it is not a medical test.