Free Online Device Test
Free Online Headphone Test
Test the left, right and centre headphone channels, check stereo direction and listen for clear bass, midrange and treble directly in your browser.
The headphone tester works on compatible computers, tablets and mobile devices. Sound will play during the test.
Check Your Headphones
Lower your volume first, then test each channel and frequency range.
Start at a low volume
Test tones can sound loud through headphones. Reduce your device volume before pressing any test button.
Left Channel
Play the left-channel tone and confirm that sound is heard only from the left side.
Centre Channel
Play the centre tone and confirm that the sound appears balanced between the left and right sides.
Right Channel
Play the right-channel tone and confirm that sound is heard only from the right side.
Left–Centre–Right Test
Run the sequence to compare the same tone across the left, centre and right positions.
Test volume
The test includes a separate volume control. Begin at a low setting and increase it only enough to hear the tone comfortably.
Tone duration
Test tones can be played for 1, 2, 3 or 5 seconds.
Test Bass, Mids and Treble
Use the frequency buttons to make broad listening comparisons across bass, midrange, presence and treble.
80 Hz — Deep bass
Low bass response.
200 Hz — Bass
Kick and low instruments.
440 Hz — Reference
Standard A tone.
1,000 Hz — Midrange
Speech and vocals.
4,000 Hz — Presence
Detail and clarity.
10,000 Hz — Treble
High-frequency response.
Check Left-to-Right Movement
Stereo sweep
The tone should move smoothly from the left ear, through the centre, to the right ear.
No Microphone Access Is Required
This test only generates sound inside your browser. It does not record audio or access your microphone.
How to Use the Headphone Test
- Reduce your device volume before starting.
- Press Test Left and confirm the tone is only on the left.
- Press Test Right and confirm the tone is only on the right.
- Press Test Centre and confirm the sound feels centred.
- Run the stereo sequence and frequency checks.
What Correct Stereo Sounds Like
Left and right tones should be clearly separated. The centre tone should sound equally strong in both ears and appear to come from the middle.
Uneven volume may indicate an incorrect balance setting, poor connection, blocked earbud, damaged cable or failing driver.
What the Online Headphone Test Checks
The headphone tester combines separate left, centre and right channel tones with stereo movement and frequency checks. This helps you compare both sides and identify obvious channel, balance or playback issues.
Left headphone channel
Play a tone through the left channel only and confirm that no clear sound is heard from the right side.
Right headphone channel
Play the same tone through the right channel and compare clarity and apparent loudness with the left side.
Centre or mono image
Send equal sound to both channels. A balanced pair of headphones should create a stable image near the centre.
Left-to-right stereo movement
Use the stereo sweep to check whether sound travels smoothly across the stereo field without sudden gaps or jumps.
Bass, midrange and treble
Compare six test tones from 80 Hz to 10,000 Hz to hear whether each broad frequency area is reproduced.
Crackling and distortion
Listen at a safe level for rattling, crackling, dropouts or obvious distortion that appears on one or both sides.
Headphone Frequency Test Guide
The frequency buttons are listening checks, not laboratory measurements. Headphone design, fit, source volume and individual hearing can all affect how loud each tone appears.
80 Hz — Deep bass
A low tone used to check whether the headphones reproduce deep bass without buzzing, rattling or cutting out.
200 Hz — Bass
Covers bass weight and the lower body of music. Compare both ears for obvious imbalance.
440 Hz — Reference tone
A standard musical A tone in the lower midrange. It provides a clear reference for left, centre and right comparisons.
1,000 Hz — Midrange
A central speech and vocal frequency that should sound clear and stable without harsh distortion.
4,000 Hz — Presence
A higher-frequency tone associated with detail and clarity. Keep the test level low because it may sound piercing.
10,000 Hz — Treble
A high treble check. Audibility varies substantially between listeners and does not by itself prove a headphone fault.
When to Use a Headphone Tester
A browser-based stereo test is a useful first step before changing sound settings, replacing a cable, returning headphones or arranging a repair.
Before a call or recording
Confirm that both channels play clearly and that the selected headphones are the active audio output.
After connecting new headphones
Check wired, USB or Bluetooth headphones immediately after setup and compare left and right playback.
When one side sounds quieter
Compare channel tones, centre balance and multiple frequencies before checking the plug, cable, earbud or device settings.
Before buying, selling or returning
Run the complete sequence and note repeatable crackling, imbalance, dropouts or missing frequency ranges.
Safe Headphone Testing
Reduce both the device volume and the test control before starting. Increase the level only enough to hear the tone comfortably. Stop immediately if a sound is painful, uncomfortable or causes ringing.
High-frequency tones can feel sharp even at moderate settings. Never use this page to test the maximum loudness of headphones or hearing.
What This Test Cannot Diagnose
A browser listening test cannot measure an exact frequency-response curve, distortion percentage, impedance, sensitivity, latency or safe sound-pressure level without calibrated equipment.
It also cannot diagnose hearing loss. If the same side or frequency is difficult to hear across several known-good headphones, seek qualified hearing advice rather than raising the volume.
What the Headphone Results Mean
Both channels should sound clear, balanced and free from crackling. The stereo sweep should travel smoothly from left to right without sudden gaps or major changes in volume.
Very low bass or very high treble may be quieter depending on the headphone design and your hearing range. Stop immediately if a tone feels uncomfortable.
Headphones Not Working?
Try these checks before deciding that your headphones are faulty.
Check the connection
Reconnect the plug, USB cable or Bluetooth connection and confirm that the headphones are selected as the output device.
Review balance settings
Make sure the left and right balance is centred in your sound or accessibility settings.
Clean the earbuds
Dust or earwax can reduce volume on one side, especially with in-ear headphones.
Try another device
Test the headphones on another phone, tablet or computer to separate a headphone fault from a device problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this headphone test free?
Yes. The headphone tester is free and does not require an account or software installation.
Why can I only hear one side?
Check the connection, output selection and left-right balance. A blocked earbud, damaged cable or low battery can also affect one side.
Why does the centre tone sound off-centre?
The left and right volume may be uneven, the headphones may not be fitted equally or your device balance setting may be adjusted.
Can I test Bluetooth headphones?
Yes. Connect the Bluetooth headphones and select them as your device audio output before running the test.
Why do my headphones crackle?
Crackling may be caused by excessive volume, a damaged cable, loose plug, Bluetooth interference or a damaged headphone driver.
Why can I not hear the highest tone?
High-frequency hearing varies between people and generally reduces with age. Some headphones also reproduce high tones more quietly.
How do I test the left and right headphone channels?
Start at a low volume, play the left tone and confirm it is heard only on the left. Repeat with the right tone, then use the centre and stereo sweep tests.
What should the centre headphone test sound like?
The centre tone is sent equally to both channels and should appear near the middle of your head when the headphones, fit and balance settings are even.
Can I test wired, USB and wireless headphones?
Yes. Any headphones selected as the current browser audio output can be checked, including 3.5 mm, USB, Bluetooth and wireless headset connections.
Does this test measure headphone frequency response?
No. The tones provide a subjective listening comparison only. Accurate frequency-response measurement requires calibrated microphones, fixtures and test equipment.
Why is bass weaker on one side?
Check the earbud seal, ear pad position, connector, cable and left-right balance. Dirt or a damaged driver can also reduce low-frequency output on one side.
Why does the stereo sweep jump or disappear?
A sudden jump can result from channel imbalance, a loose connection, Bluetooth interruption, audio processing or a damaged headphone channel.
Is the 10,000 Hz tone safe?
Use a low comfortable volume. High tones can feel sharp, and hearing sensitivity varies. Stop immediately if the tone is uncomfortable.
Does the headphone test use my microphone?
No. The page generates test audio with the Web Audio API and does not need microphone permission.
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- Complete Device Check — Work through the complete collection of free browser-based device tests.