Speaker Test: Left Right Sound Test for Speakers & Headphones

Free speaker test: left right audio test for speakers and headphones, 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency sweep, bass test, polarity (phase) check and tone generator. Runs in your browser.

Built and maintained by Shehzad Munir ·

Speaker Test
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<a href="https://www.toolnova.org/diagnostics-tools/speaker-test">Speaker Test</a> by ToolNova

APA

ToolNova. (2026, October 17). Speaker Test [Online tool]. https://www.toolnova.org/diagnostics-tools/speaker-test

MLA

“Speaker Test.” ToolNova, 17 Oct. 2026, www.toolnova.org/diagnostics-tools/speaker-test.

How to test left and right speakers

Test your speakers and headphones in your browser. Play pulsing sound in the left, centre or right channel to confirm stereo is wired the right way round, sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to find where your speakers and ears cut off, check bass with low tones, spot a reversed speaker with the polarity test, and use the tone generator for any frequency. All sound is generated in the browser.

Press the L button: the pulsing sound should come only from the left speaker or earcup. Then press R. If the sides are swapped, the headphones are on backwards, the cables are swapped, or a balance or spatial-audio setting is moving the sound. If one side is silent, check the cable and plug first, then the balance slider in your sound settings. Centre should sound like it comes from directly in front of you, between the speakers.

Features

  • Left, centre and right channel test with pulsing pink noise that is easy to place by ear.
  • 20-second frequency sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a live frequency readout.
  • Mark where you first hear the sweep and where it fades to see your audible range on that device.
  • Bass tones at 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 Hz for subwoofers and small speakers.
  • Polarity test that plays in-phase and out-of-phase noise to reveal a speaker wired backwards.
  • Tone generator from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with left, centre or right output.
  • Master volume and a stop-all button; sounds fade in and out so they never click.

How to use Speaker Test

  1. 1

    Turn your volume down

    Set the system volume low first, especially with headphones, then raise it gradually.

  2. 2

    Check left and right

    Press L, Centre and R. The sound should come only from the matching side, and from both equally for Centre.

  3. 3

    Play the sweep

    Listen from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz and press the buttons when the tone becomes audible and when it fades.

  4. 4

    Test bass and polarity

    Play the bass tones to find your speaker's low limit, then compare In phase and Out of phase.

Common use cases

  • Checking headphones or earbuds have left and right the right way round
  • Finding a dead speaker or a channel that is quieter than the other
  • Testing how low a subwoofer or laptop speaker goes
  • Checking speaker wiring polarity after setting up a stereo
  • Hearing-range curiosity checks at different frequencies

Detailed guide

What the frequency sweep shows

Human hearing spans roughly 20 Hz to 20 kHz when young, and the top end falls with age. Speakers have limits too: small laptop and phone speakers often produce little below 100 to 200 Hz. When you mark where the sweep becomes audible and where it fades, the result combines your hearing and your speaker's range. Repeat with headphones to tell the two apart.

DeviceTypical low endTypical high end
Phone speaker200 to 300 Hz16 to 20 kHz
Laptop speakers100 to 200 Hz16 to 20 kHz
Bookshelf speakers50 to 80 Hz20 kHz
Subwoofer20 to 40 Hz100 to 200 Hz
Good headphones10 to 20 Hz20 kHz+

Speaker polarity explained

If one speaker's red and black wires are swapped, its cone moves out while the other moves in. Bass cancels and the stereo image becomes vague. The polarity test plays the same noise in both channels, first identical and then with one side inverted. With correct wiring, In phase sounds full and centred and Out of phase sounds thin and spread out. If it is the other way round, one speaker is wired backwards.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I test my left and right speakers?

Press L and R in the channel test. The pulsing sound should come only from the matching side. If the sides are swapped or one is silent, check the cables, how the headphones are worn and the balance setting in your sound settings.

Why can't I hear the highest frequencies?

Hearing above about 15 to 17 kHz fades with age, and many small speakers also roll off at the top. It is normal for adults to stop hearing the sweep somewhere between 14 and 18 kHz.

How do I test my subwoofer?

Play the 30, 40 and 50 Hz bass tones at a moderate volume. A working subwoofer should produce clear low tones at these frequencies. If you only hear sound from 80 Hz up, check the subwoofer's power, crossover and connection.

Is the speaker test safe for headphones?

Yes at sensible volume. Start low and raise it gradually, because pure tones, especially high ones, can sound louder than music at the same setting.

Does it work on phones?

Yes. Tap a button to start sound; mobile browsers require a tap before audio can play. Use headphones to check left and right on a phone, since most phone speakers are close together.

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