Speaker and headphone test (left / right)
Play a short sound in the left channel, then the right, to check that both sides of your speakers or headphones work and are the right way round. Turn the volume down first, then up.
Ready. Start with the volume low, then turn it up.
The sweep runs from 60 Hz to 12 kHz in 8 seconds. Phone and laptop speakers can't play the lowest notes, so the start may be silent.
How to use it
- Lower the volume, then press Left. The beeps should come only from the left speaker or earbud.
- Press Right and check that only the right side plays.
- Press Left → right: the tone should move smoothly from one side to the other.
- Use the frequency sweep to listen for rattles or buzzing at certain pitches.
What the results mean
- Left plays on the right and the other way round: the headphones are on the wrong ears, the cables are swapped, or the balance setting is off.
- Left and Right sound the same from both sides: mono audio is switched on, or the device or Bluetooth speaker has a single speaker. On iPhone, mono audio is under Settings › Accessibility › Audio & Visual; on Android, look under Settings › Accessibility.
- One side is quieter: check the balance slider in the same settings, clean the speaker grille or earbud mesh, and try other headphones to see whether the device or the headphones are at fault.
- A phone speaker sounds muffled after it got wet: try our water eject sound, which pushes water out of the speaker grille.
Testing a phone's speakers
Many recent phones play stereo through two speakers: the earpiece at the top and a speaker at the bottom. Turn the phone sideways to hear the effect best; some phones swap left and right when you rotate them. Older and budget phones often have a single speaker, so Left and Right come from the same place.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I hear both sides when I press Left?
Usually because mono audio is on, which mixes both channels into each side, or because the device has only one speaker. Many Bluetooth speakers are mono too. Turn mono audio off in your accessibility settings and try again.
How do I check which earbud is left?
Put the earbuds in, press Left and see which ear hears the beeps. It should be the earbud marked L. If it's the other one, swap them.
Does the test work with Bluetooth headphones?
Yes. The sound goes to whatever your phone or computer is playing through, including Bluetooth headphones and speakers. If both sides sound the same, check that the device isn't set to mono.
Is the frequency sweep safe for my speakers?
At a normal volume, yes; it's short and similar to music. Keep the volume moderate, and stop if you hear distortion or rattling.
Why can't I hear the beginning of the sweep?
Small speakers in phones and laptops can't reproduce very low notes, so the first seconds may be silent or faint. Headphones and larger speakers play more of the range.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The sounds are created in your browser; nothing is downloaded or recorded.