Headphone Test
Put your headphones on and check each ear, the stereo image, the phase and how deep the bass goes.
How to Use the Headphone Test
This headphone test runs the checks that matter: left ear, right ear, a pan from one side to the other, a phase test and a bass sweep. If a sound comes from the wrong side, cuts out, or the phase test sounds odd, you will know in under a minute.
- Put the headphones on. L on the left ear, R on the right.
- Test each ear. The left chime must only be in your left ear.
- Run the stereo pan. The tone should move smoothly from left to right.
- Phase and bass. In phase should sound centred. Then check the bass sweep.
What the Phase Test Tells You
In phase, the noise sounds like it comes from the middle of your head. Out of phase, it sounds wide, hollow and hard to place. If both buttons sound the same, or "in phase" sounds hollow, one driver may be wired backwards.
One Side Is Quiet or Silent
- Clean the jack or the USB-C port and push the plug in fully.
- Check the Windows or macOS balance slider is in the middle.
- Wiggle the cable near the plug. Crackling means a broken wire.
- For wireless earbuds, put both back in the case and reconnect.
How Low Should the Bass Go?
| Type | Bass you will usually hear |
|---|---|
| Small earbuds | From about 40–60 Hz |
| Good in-ear monitors | From about 20–30 Hz |
| Over-ear headphones | From about 20–30 Hz |
| Laptop speakers | From about 150–200 Hz |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my headphones on the wrong ears?
If the left chime comes from your right ear, yes. Swap them round.
Does it work with Bluetooth headphones?
Yes. Make sure they are the selected output device first.
Why does the sound lag?
Bluetooth adds delay. It does not affect this test.
Can this test hearing?
Try the hearing frequency test for that.
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