Left-Right (Stereo) Audio Test
Listen to a sound on the left, on the right, in the center, or alternating to check your earbuds, headphones, or speakers. With a phase test and a sweep from bass to treble.
- Left / right
- Phase test
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- No install
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How to test left and right audio?
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Turn down the volume
Put on your headphones or earbuds and start with a low volume, then increase it gradually.
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Play the sound
Play the sound on the left, on the right, in the center, or alternating: the indicator shows which side it should come from.
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Compare
If the sound comes from the wrong side, from only one side, or sounds unbalanced, you've found the problem.
A complete audio test for headphones and speakers
Left, right, center
Each channel separately, in the center, or alternating, with a visual indicator of the expected side.
Phase test
Detect speakers wired backwards, which produce a hollow sound with no bass.
Frequency sweep
From deep bass (20 Hz) to high treble (20 kHz), to test the response of your earbuds and your own hearing.
Adjustable volume
Adjust the volume directly in the tool, starting low to protect your ears.
Check that your earbuds aren't swapped
Headphones worn backwards, a badly plugged-in cable, or a system setting can swap the left and right channels. It's barely noticeable for music, but quickly confusing in a video game, a movie, or audio editing, where the position of sounds matters. The test tells you in seconds whether each side works, whether one is silent, and whether the balance is properly centered. If one side is quieter, check the balance in your computer's or phone's sound settings, as well as the “mono audio” option in accessibility settings.
Phase, explained simply
A speaker produces sound by moving its cone forward and backward. If the + and − wires on one of the two speakers are swapped, the two cones move in opposite directions and partly cancel each other out: the sound feels hollow, diffuse, as if coming from nowhere, and the bass disappears. The phase test helps you catch this: correctly wired, the speakers produce a full sound, centered between them. If not, check the + and − connections on the back of the speaker and the amplifier.
Testing bass, treble, and your hearing
The frequency sweep rises from 20 Hz, the deepest bass, to 20 kHz, the theoretical limit of human hearing. It reveals how low your earbuds or speakers can go, and any crackling along the way. It also doubles as a small hearing test: as we age, we lose the ability to hear high frequencies, and many adults can't hear anything above 15 to 17 kHz. It's not a medical exam: if in doubt, see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. To test your audio input, use our “Mic Test”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my headphones are backwards?
Play the sound on the left: it should come from the left earpiece, often marked L. If it comes from the right instead, flip the headphones around or check your audio settings.
The sound only comes from one side, what should I do?
Check the balance and the “mono audio” option in your system's sound settings, make sure the jack is plugged in all the way, and try a different device. If the problem persists, the earbud or cable is probably damaged.
Why can't I hear the highest frequencies?
That's normal: hearing of high frequencies declines with age, and many earbuds don't reproduce the extremes very well. Above about 16 kHz, many adults can't hear anything at all.
Can the test damage my ears or speakers?
Not at a reasonable volume. Always start low, especially with headphones, and increase it gradually: pure tones and high frequencies can sound loud and tire your ears. Also avoid pushing very low frequencies too hard on small speakers.
Does the test work with Bluetooth earbuds?
Yes, with any device that plays your computer's or phone's sound in stereo: wired or Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, or speakers.