Device Checks
Headphone Test — L/R Channels, Stereo Imaging, Frequency Sweep
Three tests in one — verify L/R channels, check stereo imaging, sweep across frequencies. Spot broken channels or counterfeit headphones.
⚠ Set your volume to about 30% before starting. Frequency sweep can be loud at low frequencies — very loud on full-range speakers.
Channel test — 440 Hz tone
Click each button. Verify you hear the tone in the labeled channel only.
You should hear:
- ✓ Left — only in your left ear / speaker
- ✓ Right — only in your right ear / speaker
- ✓ Both — equally in both, centered
If a channel is silent, swapped, or imbalanced, you've found the problem.
Stereo imaging
A tone moves around your head. The dot below shows where the sound should appear to be coming from.
Frequency sweep
Drag the slider to play any frequency. Healthy adult ears hear from 20 Hz to about 17 kHz.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my left side sound quieter than my right?
Three common causes: audio balance setting is offset (check OS sound panel for a balance slider), wax buildup in one ear (try the other ear), headphone driver failure or cable short. If swapping left and right sides of the headphone changes which side is quieter, it's the headphone. If the quiet side follows the ear, it's your hearing.
What's normal stereo separation?
Most headphones have 30–60 dB of channel separation — the unused side is 30+ dB quieter than the active side. In-ear monitors often hit 60+ dB. Open-back headphones naturally have lower separation (20–30 dB) because sound bleeds between drivers. If you hear significant audio in the off side during the L/R test, it's likely an open-back headphone or a cable/driver issue.
How do I tell if my headphones are fake?
Four red flags: one channel silent or very quiet, L and R swapped, stereo imaging feels flat with no depth, frequency sweep reveals missing bass or treble. Counterfeits often use cheaper drivers that fail the imaging and frequency tests even if they look identical. Also check serial number on the manufacturer's site — most brands verify authenticity.
Why do my headphones sound different on different devices?
Different audio outputs have different drive characteristics — impedance, headroom, and DAC quality vary between phones, laptops, and dedicated DACs/amps. High-impedance headphones (250Ω+) need more power than a phone can provide, resulting in weaker bass. Low-impedance headphones (16–32Ω) work well with anything. If your headphones sound great on a desktop but weak on your phone, they may need an amplifier.
What does the frequency sweep reveal?
A healthy frequency response lets you hear all tones from 20 Hz to about 17 kHz (adults, varying by age). Drops or gaps in the sweep indicate driver damage (consistent notch), cable issue (intermittent), or natural headphone frequency response (some headphones are V-shaped with scooped mids by design).
Is 3D audio / spatial audio real?
Yes, with caveats. Most spatial audio is HRTF-processed stereo — algorithms that mimic how sound reaches each ear from different directions. It works best with over-ear headphones and tested content (Dolby Atmos for Headphones, Apple Spatial Audio). Regular stereo panning is just left-right. True 3D requires content mixed for it plus a headphone with good imaging.
Can this test damage my hearing?
Only if you run it at unsafe volumes. Start at 30% volume. If you can hear the tone clearly and comfortably, don't raise it. Prolonged exposure above 85 dB causes hearing damage over hours. The high-frequency sweep can be uncomfortably loud even at moderate volumes on some headphones — start quiet, raise slowly.
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