Testing speakers properly is essential for achieving accurate sound reproduction, whether you're setting up a home studio, calibrating a hi-fi system, or troubleshooting audio issues. This guide walks you through professional testing procedures that audio engineers use to evaluate speaker performance.
Need a variety of spoken-word references while listening for clarity shifts? Fire up VoiceMix to audition different vocal timbres through your speakers as you work through each checklist item, then use HashtagCraft to package your before-and-after clips for social case studies.
Before You Begin
Safety First
Always start at low volume and increase gradually. High volume can damage your speakers, amplifier, and hearing. Never test at volumes that cause discomfort or distortion.
What You'll Need
- Test tone generator: AudioTest Pro or similar tool
- Measuring tape: For positioning and distance measurements
- Level (optional): Ensures speakers are aimed correctly
- Notebook: Record your findings for comparison
- Reference tracks: Well-recorded music you know intimately
Step-by-Step Testing Procedure
Step 1: Position Speakers Correctly
Proper positioning is critical for accurate testing. Even the best speakers will sound poor if positioned incorrectly.
Stereo Speaker Placement
- Equal distances: Both speakers must be the exact same distance from your listening position. Use a measuring tape to verify.
- Equilateral triangle: Form a triangle with the speakers and your listening position. If speakers are 8 feet apart, sit 8 feet away.
- Aim at ear level: Tweeters should be at ear height when seated. Use stands or tilting if needed.
- Toe-in angle: Angle speakers inward 15-30° so they point toward (or slightly behind) your listening position.
- Wall distance: Pull speakers at least 2-3 feet from rear walls to minimize bass buildup and reflections.
Step 2: Visual and Physical Inspection
Before generating test tones, check for obvious issues:
- Check all cables are securely connected
- Verify speaker polarity (+ to +, - to -) on both channels
- Inspect drivers for visible damage (tears, dents in cones or dust caps)
- Ensure grilles are properly seated or removed for critical listening
- Check for loose screws or rattling components
Step 3: Run a Full-Range Frequency Sweep
A frequency sweep reveals problems across the entire audio spectrum.
Using AudioTest Pro's Frequency Sweep
- Navigate to the Frequency Sweep Generator
- Set sweep range: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
- Choose logarithmic sweep (covers frequencies evenly to your ear)
- Set duration: 30 seconds for initial test
- Start at low volume (about 20-30% of maximum)
- Play the sweep and listen carefully
What to Listen For
- Rattles or buzzing: Indicates loose components, damaged drivers, or cabinet resonance. Note the frequency where it occurs.
- Sudden volume drops: Suggests crossover issues or driver problems at specific frequencies.
- Harsh peaks: Sharp, painful frequencies indicate resonances or poor crossover design.
- Smooth transitions: Good speakers should sound even and continuous throughout the sweep, with no obvious "gaps" or "spikes."
- Port noise: Chuffing or whooshing sounds in the bass indicate port velocity issues (usually below 60 Hz).
Step 4: Test Phase and Stereo Imaging
Proper phase alignment ensures both speakers work together correctly and create a centered stereo image.
Phase Test Procedure
- Play identical tones: Use the Tone Generator to play 1000 Hz sine wave on both speakers simultaneously
- Sit in listening position: The sound should appear to come from directly between the speakers (the "phantom center")
- Check for problems:
- If image shifts left or right: speakers may have different sensitivity or room reflections
- If sound is diffuse or weak: speakers may be out of phase (reverse polarity on one speaker)
- If bass disappears when both play vs. one alone: definite phase issue
Quick Phase Check
Play bass-heavy music and switch between mono (both speakers) and one speaker alone. If bass gets stronger with one speaker than both, your speakers are out of phase. Fix by reversing the +/- wires on one speaker.
Step 5: Evaluate Frequency Response
Test how evenly your speakers reproduce different frequencies.
Spot Frequency Test
Test specific frequencies to identify peaks and dips. Use the Precision Tone Generator:
- 40 Hz: Deep bass - should be felt more than heard
- 100 Hz: Bass fundamentals - warm and full
- 500 Hz: Lower midrange - body of instruments
- 1 kHz: Reference frequency - should sound neutral
- 3 kHz: Presence range - clarity and definition
- 8 kHz: High treble - sibilance and brilliance
- 15 kHz: Air and sparkle (many can't hear this)
Goal: All frequencies should sound roughly equal in volume (when played at the same level). Large differences indicate frequency response issues.
Step 6: Test Subwoofer Integration (if applicable)
If you have a subwoofer, ensure it blends seamlessly with your main speakers.
Subwoofer Test Procedure
- Find crossover frequency: Where subwoofer hands off to main speakers (typically 60-120 Hz)
- Play bass sweep: Use Subwoofer Test to play 30 Hz - 150 Hz sweep
- Listen for gaps or peaks: Should be smooth throughout. A dip or spike at crossover means poor integration.
- Adjust phase: Try 0° and 180° phase settings on subwoofer to see which sounds fuller at crossover frequency
- Find port tuning: Play slow sweep - the loudest frequency in bass is your port tuning frequency (typically 30-40 Hz)
Step 7: Distortion and Dynamics Test
Test how your speakers handle higher volumes and complex signals.
- Increase volume gradually: Slowly turn up volume while playing a 100 Hz tone. Note when distortion, compression, or strain begins.
- Test each driver separately: Play high frequencies (5-10 kHz) for tweeter, bass (60-100 Hz) for woofer. Listen for harshness or breakup.
- Play complex music: Use tracks with wide dynamic range. Speakers should remain clear even during loud passages.
Warning: If you hear rattling, buzzing, popping, or harsh distortion, stop immediately. You're either exceeding the speaker's limits or there's a mechanical problem.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: One speaker sounds quieter than the other
Possible causes:
- Balance control on amplifier not centered
- Poor connection or damaged cable on quiet side
- Room reflections favoring one side
- Driver failure (less common)
Problem: Weak or no bass
Possible causes:
- Speakers out of phase (reverse wiring on one speaker)
- Speakers too far from walls (some bass reinforcement is needed)
- Room cancellation at listening position
- Woofer failure or damaged cone
Problem: Harsh or fatiguing high frequencies
Possible causes:
- Tweeters aimed directly at ears (try less toe-in)
- Room has hard, reflective surfaces causing brightness
- Speaker design has treble peak
- Amplifier distortion (less common)
Problem: Rattling or buzzing at certain frequencies
Possible causes:
- Loose screws on driver or cabinet
- Damaged or torn driver suspension
- Object inside cabinet (shipping material, wire)
- Cabinet panels resonating (knock on cabinet to verify)
Document Your Results
Keep a testing log to track changes over time and compare different setups:
- Date and time of test
- Speaker position: Distance from walls, toe-in angle, listening distance
- Problem frequencies: Note any rattles, peaks, or dips
- Phase test results: Centered image? Strong bass?
- Maximum clean volume: Where does distortion begin?
- Overall impressions: Tonal balance, imaging, clarity
Next Steps
- After identifying issues, address them one at a time
- Re-test after each change to confirm improvement
- Learn about room acoustic treatment if problems persist
- Use hearing tests to establish your own listening baseline
- Compare your setup against well-recorded reference tracks you know well
Continue Learning
Need more testing tools?
Check out Core Vitals →