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To test headphones, start with the left and right channel test: each side should play only when it is named and sound equally loud. Then run the bass test for rattles or distortion and the frequency sweep to hear where your hearing and the drivers roll off.
Start at low volume. Each test plays generated tones in your browser, with no download. For a one-page check of sound, balance and mic, use the 30-second headphone test. Updated 2026.
Test left and right audio channels separately to ensure proper stereo separation and balance
Start TestTest the full frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz to check audio reproduction quality
Start TestFocus on low frequencies (20Hz-200Hz) to test subwoofer and bass performance
Start TestPlug in your headphones, speakers, or microphone before starting any test.
Start with low volume, especially for frequency and bass tests. Gradually increase as needed.
Select the appropriate test based on what you want to verify about your audio equipment.
Follow the on-screen instructions and listen for any issues or abnormalities.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can damage your hearing. Always start with low volume and increase gradually. If you experience discomfort, stop the test immediately.
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Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we've researched or believe will help with monitor testing.
Put them on at low volume and play the stereo test: the left tone should play only in the left ear and the right only in the right, at equal loudness. Then run the bass test and listen for buzzing or rattles. The whole check takes under two minutes.
Channel balance and wiring (left and right), low-frequency performance (bass and rattles), the full 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, and microphone input level and noise with the mic test.
Hearing at the top of the range declines with age, and most adults hear up to somewhere between 15 and 17kHz rather than the full 20kHz. If both ears and several headphones fade at the same point, it is your hearing range rather than a fault.
Yes. All audio tests are free, need no account and play tones generated in your browser. Keep the volume low when you start, especially for bass and high-frequency tones.
