Headphone Test
Check the left and right channels, stereo balance and frequency range of your headphones, earbuds or speakers.
Protect your ears. Start with your device volume low and raise it slowly. Stop the test if anything is uncomfortable.
Frequency range sweep
What to listen for
- Left: sound only in the left ear or speaker, nothing in the right.
- Right: sound only in the right ear or speaker, nothing in the left.
- Both: one centered sound, not louder on one side.
- Alternate: a clear switch each second with no crackling or dropouts.
- Sweep: a smooth, even rise in pitch. Note where the sound fades in at the low end and disappears at the high end.
If one side is quiet or silent
- Reconnect the headphones, or re-pair them if they are Bluetooth.
- Check the left/right balance in your system sound settings.
- Turn off mono audio in your accessibility settings.
- Clean the earbud or earcup mesh and try another device to see if the problem follows the headphones.
Improve what you hear
Tune your headphones for every site
Use the Chrome extension to add an equalizer, bass booster and volume booster to YouTube and other streaming sites.
Headphone test FAQ
How do I test left and right on my headphones?
Press Left and make sure the sound comes only from the left earcup, then press Right. Press Both to check that the sound sits in the middle, or Alternate to switch sides every second.
Why do I only hear sound in one ear?
Check the cable or Bluetooth connection first, then the balance setting in your device's sound settings and the mono audio accessibility option. Dirt in the earbud mesh can also block one side.
What frequency range can I hear?
Young people with healthy hearing can hear roughly 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The upper limit usually falls with age, and many adults stop hearing sounds above 15–17 kHz. Your headphones also limit what you can hear.
Is the headphone test safe?
Keep the volume low. The sweep passes through low and high frequencies that can be unpleasant at high volume. Stop the test if anything hurts.
Can I use this test for speakers?
Yes. The left and right test works for stereo speakers too. Sit centered between them.