AudioTestPro

Headphone test

Four quick checks for headphones and earbuds: channels, phase, bass extension and treble reach. Put them on only after setting a low volume.

Volume first. Turn your device volume down before pressing play, then raise it slowly. Tones start quiet on purpose. High-frequency tones can seem silent and then turn painfully loud when volume goes up. Never raise the volume just because you hear nothing.

1. Left and right

Test signal
0 dBFS is the loudest your device can play; every 20 dB lower is a tenth of the amplitude.

2. Phase

Sit centred between the speakers (or wear headphones). Switch between the two signals. In phase should sound fuller and seem to come from the middle. If Out of phase sounds fuller or more centred instead, one speaker or driver is wired backwards.

0 dBFS is the loudest your device can play; every 20 dB lower is a tenth of the amplitude.

3. Bass extension

Play each tone from the top. Most headphones play 40 Hz and up clearly. If the lowest tones vanish, reseat earbuds or check the ear-pad seal before blaming the drivers.

Tick the tones you can hear or feel.

0 dBFS is the loudest your device can play; every 20 dB lower is a tenth of the amplitude.

4. Treble reach

Keep the volume where it was. A missing top tone is normal for many adults and many wireless links; do not turn it up to chase it.

Tick the tones you can hear.

0 dBFS is the loudest your device can play; every 20 dB lower is a tenth of the amplitude.

Interpreting the headphone test

  • Bass fades above 60 Hz on earbuds: almost always a poor seal. Try a different tip size.
  • Treble stops at exactly 15 or 16 kHz on Bluetooth but not wired: the codec or its bitrate is cutting it off, not your ears.
  • A buzz at one bass tone: a loose part, a torn driver surround or a rattling headband slider. Try pressing gently on the earcup while it plays.
  • Sound shifts when you move the cable: a failing wire near the plug or earcup.

Still not working? Describe it

An AI assistant turns your description into step-by-step fixes for your device and system. It only answers audio-equipment questions, and it can be wrong, so check steps against your device's manual.

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Questions people ask

How do I test my headphones?

Work down this page: confirm left and right, run the phase check, then tick the bass and treble tones you can hear. Good over-ear headphones usually reproduce 20 Hz faintly; many earbuds fade out between 30 and 60 Hz unless they seal well in the ear.

Why do my earbuds have no bass?

Earbuds need an airtight seal to produce bass. Try a larger ear tip size and push them in slightly deeper; the bass tones on this page will get dramatically louder when the seal is right.

Are my headphones wired out of phase?

If the "out of phase" signal sounds more centred and fuller than "in phase", one earcup is reversed. It is rare in commercial headphones but can happen after a DIY repair or cable swap.

Why can't I hear the highest treble tones?

Two reasons: high-frequency hearing declines naturally with age, and Bluetooth codecs and some drivers cut off above 16–20 kHz. Try the same tone on a wired pair, and see the hearing age test for more.

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