Test your headphones
Check left and right channels, the stereo center, bass, treble and polarity. All test sounds are generated on your device.
Start at low device volume. Stop if the sound is uncomfortable. Do not turn up quiet or inaudible tones.
Polarity check
Compare at the same volume. In phase should sound centered and fuller. Inverted polarity can sound diffuse or thinner, especially in the bass. This comparison is subjective.
Ready
Audio off
Audio is generated locally with Web Audio. Use your system sound settings to select the output device.
A headphone test is a quick way to check a new pair, trace a loose cable or confirm that a computer is sending stereo sound to the correct sides. Put the headphones on with the marked left cup on your left side. Begin with low device volume, then play Left and Right separately. Each short tone should come from only the named side. Both sends the same signal to both channels.
The stereo center check plays an identical tone on both sides. With a normal stereo setup it should seem to sit between the cups, rather than pulling strongly toward one side. If it sounds uneven, check your system balance, headphone fit and connector before assuming a driver is damaged. Turn off spatial effects, equalizers and mono accessibility settings while comparing channels, then restore your usual settings after testing.
Bass and treble checks explore different parts of the playback range. The bass sweep moves from 20 to 200 Hz, while the treble sweep moves from 2 to 20 kHz. A full logarithmic sweep covers 20 Hz to 20 kHz in twenty seconds, with the current frequency displayed above the stop button. A logarithmic sweep spends equal time in each octave instead of rushing through the low frequencies.
Keep the same comfortable volume throughout each check. Very low and very high tones may be quiet or absent on a particular output path. Do not compensate by turning the level up. Buzzing or rattling can come from a loose part, processing effects or the source device as well as the headphones. Repeat a short section at a modest level, and compare another device if you need to narrow down the cause.
The polarity buttons provide two versions of a low tone: identical channels and one channel inverted. Compare their center image and fullness without changing volume. This is a listening comparison rather than a measurement or a pass certificate. The tool generates signals with Web Audio on your device, without recording or uploading anything. Use the related tests below to isolate channel routing, create a specific tone or check your microphone before a call.
FAQ
Why is sound only coming from one side? +
Check the balance setting on your device, seat the connector fully and disable mono audio before repeating the left and right checks. Try another output device to separate a connection problem from a headphone problem.
Is this a hearing test? +
No. This is a device test, not a hearing test. It does not measure hearing ability. An inaudible tone can reflect the headphones, output settings or browser, so do not raise the volume to chase it.
What frequency range does the sweep cover? +
The full sweep runs from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Your output device and browser may not reproduce the whole range evenly. The bass and treble checks cover smaller parts of that range.
What should the polarity check sound like? +
In phase should sound centered and fuller. With one channel inverted, the image may feel wider or less focused. Headphone fit and playback processing can change the impression; it is not an automatic fault diagnosis.
Does this need microphone access or upload audio? +
No. The browser generates the test signals locally. There is no recording, audio upload or account requirement.