Online Speaker & Audio Tester
Sound Test
Test your speakers and headphones in seconds — left, right and stereo channels, a full 20 Hz–20 kHz sweep, polarity and test tones. Free, in your browser, no app or sign-up.
Polarity (phase) check
Plays the same noise in both channels. “In phase” should sound solid and centred; if “Out of phase” sounds fuller instead, one speaker is wired backwards.
⚠️ Start at a low volume and raise it gradually to protect your ears and speakers.
Free Audio Tools
What is an online sound test?
A sound test plays known reference signals through your speakers or headphones so you can confirm each channel works, check left/right balance, and hear whether your hardware reproduces low and high frequencies cleanly. SoundTest generates every tone live in your browser with the Web Audio API — there’s nothing to download, and nothing you play or record is ever uploaded.
It works as a quick audio tester for any setup: laptop and desktop speakers, monitors, TVs and soundbars connected to a computer, Bluetooth speakers, wired headphones, earbuds and AirPods. Use it after plugging in new gear, when one side sounds quiet, or whenever you need to know if the problem is your hardware or your settings.
How to use the sound test
- Turn the volume down. Set your system volume low, then use the volume slider above to fine-tune.
- Check left and right. Press Left, then Right. Each tone should play only from the matching speaker or ear.
- Check the centre. Press Both. The tone should sound like it comes from directly between the speakers.
- Try different test tones. Switch between 100 Hz, 440 Hz, 1 kHz, 5 kHz and 10 kHz to check the woofer, midrange and tweeter in turn.
- Run the sweep. Listen for buzzing, rattling or a sudden drop as the tone glides from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
- Check polarity. Compare In phase and Out of phase — In phase should sound fuller and more solid.
What each test checks
| Test | Checks | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| Left / Right | Channel mapping | Tone only from the matching speaker |
| Both | Balance & centre image | Sound centred between the speakers |
| Sweep (20 Hz–20 kHz) | Frequency range, rattles | Smooth tone with no buzz or dropouts |
| Polarity | Speaker wiring | In phase sounds fuller than out of phase |
| 100 Hz tone | Bass / woofer | Clean low hum, no distortion |
| 440 Hz / 1 kHz tone | Midrange | Clear, steady tone |
| 5 kHz / 10 kHz tone | Treble / tweeter | Bright tone from both sides |
Speaker test: what to listen for
A good speaker test is less about loudness and more about clean, even sound. While the tones play, listen for:
- Swapped channels — the Left tone comes from the right speaker. Swap the cables or check your audio balance settings. The left right sound test has a quick quiz that tells swapped, mono and silent channels apart.
- Uneven volume — one side is clearly quieter. Centre the balance slider and check the cable and connections.
- Buzzing or rattling — usually at one point in the sweep. It may be a loose grille, a damaged cone or something vibrating nearby.
- Distortion — a harsh, crackly tone even at modest volume suggests a damaged driver or an overdriven amplifier.
- Missing highs or lows — the sweep goes silent early. Small speakers naturally lose deep bass; a dead tweeter loses everything above a few kHz.
For a closer look at the low end, use the bass test to find how deep your speakers or subwoofer go. Testing headphones? The headphone test adds stereo imaging and per-ear checks.
No sound? Quick fixes
Windows
Click the speaker icon in the taskbar and make sure the right output device is selected. In Settings → System → Sound, check the volume mixer to confirm your browser isn’t muted, and that the left/right balance under the device’s properties is centred.
Mac
Open System Settings → Sound → Output, choose your speakers or headphones, and check that the Balance slider sits in the middle. External displays and AirPlay devices sometimes take over the output without asking.
iPhone and Android
Turn off silent mode, raise the media volume (not just the ringer) and disconnect any Bluetooth device that might be grabbing the audio. If the speaker sounds muffled after getting wet, try the speaker cleaner.
Bluetooth speakers and headphones
Confirm the device is connected and selected as the output, then raise the volume on both the device and your computer or phone. A short delay before each tone starts is normal on Bluetooth.
Speakers working fine? Try the tone generator to play any exact frequency, check your microphone with the mic test, or find the highest pitch you can hear with the hearing frequency test.