Speaker Tester

This tool generates audio signals using the Web Audio API and plays them through your device's audio output. You can test individual stereo channels, sweep through frequencies, and generate custom tones — all in the browser with zero downloads.

Left/Right Channel Test

Click the Left or Right channel button to send audio to only one speaker. You should hear sound exclusively from the corresponding side. If both speakers play, your audio output may be set to mono, or one channel is leaking into the other. If one side is silent, that speaker or its cable connection may be damaged.

Frequency Sweep

Use the preset buttons to play common reference tones from 20 Hz (sub-bass) to 16,000 Hz (high treble). This reveals your speakers' effective frequency range. Most desktop speakers reproduce 80 Hz–16 kHz clearly. Below 80 Hz requires a subwoofer. Above 16 kHz becomes inaudible to many adults.

Custom Tone Generator

The tone generator creates pure sine waves at any frequency from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Adjust the frequency slider and volume to test specific ranges. Switch between waveforms — sine (clean tone), square (buzzy, harmonics-rich), sawtooth (bright, aggressive), triangle (mellow) — to hear how your speakers handle different harmonic content.

What the Tester Reveals

• Dead channels: One speaker not producing sound → cable, connection, or driver failure.
• Frequency gaps: Certain tones missing or weak → speaker driver limitation or crossover issues.
• Distortion: Buzzing or rattling at specific frequencies → loose driver, damaged cone, or object touching the speaker cone.
• Imbalance: One side louder than the other → check audio balance settings or speaker positioning.

Desktop Speakers

All powered desktop speakers work — Audioengine, Edifier, PreSonus Eris, KRK Rokit, JBL, Creative, Logitech. 2.0 (stereo), 2.1 (stereo + sub), and soundbar configurations are fully testable with the left/right channel test and frequency sweep.

Headphones & Earbuds

The channel test is particularly useful for headphones — it verifies that left and right drivers are correctly wired. Works with wired (3.5mm, USB), Bluetooth (AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM, Bose QC), and gaming headsets. The frequency sweep can reveal driver imbalances between ears.

Laptop Speakers

Built-in laptop speakers typically reproduce 150 Hz–15 kHz. The frequency sweep will show you exactly where your laptop's speakers roll off. Don't expect sub-bass from laptop speakers — they physically can't produce it.

External DACs & Audio Interfaces

If you use an external DAC (Schiit, iFi, FiiO) or audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett, Universal Audio), the browser sends audio to whatever output device your OS has selected. Ensure the correct output device is set in System Settings → Sound → Output.

Surround Sound Systems

Browser audio is limited to stereo output (2 channels). The left/right test verifies your front left and front right speakers. Center, surround, and height channels in 5.1/7.1/Atmos setups require desktop software for individual testing. However, if your AV receiver is upmixing stereo to surround, you'll hear the test tones through all engaged speakers.

No Sound At All

• Volume: Check OS volume (not muted), browser tab volume (right-click the tab), and physical speaker volume knob.
• Output device: Verify the correct output is selected in OS sound settings. Plugging in headphones may silently switch output away from speakers.
• Browser autoplay policy: Some browsers block audio until user interaction. Click a test button — the browser should allow playback after a click.
• Bluetooth connected but no audio: Some Bluetooth devices connect for calls (HFP) but not media (A2DP). Disconnect and reconnect, ensuring "Media Audio" is enabled.

One Speaker Not Working

• Audio balance: Check OS audio balance (System Settings → Sound → Balance). It may be shifted to one side.
• Cable connection: For wired speakers, check the cable connecting the passive speaker to the powered speaker. Try swapping left/right cables to isolate the issue.
• Driver failure: If one channel works with headphones but not speakers, the speaker hardware is likely the problem.

Distortion or Buzzing

• At specific frequencies: Resonance — something near the speaker is vibrating sympathetically. Move objects away from the speaker and test again.
• At high volume: The speaker driver is being over-driven. Reduce volume. Persistent distortion at normal volume may indicate a damaged voice coil.
• Constant buzz: Ground loop or electromagnetic interference. Try a different power outlet, use a ground loop isolator, or move the speakers away from power transformers.

Can't Hear Low Frequencies

• Speaker size matters: Small speakers (laptop, phone, small desktop) physically cannot reproduce frequencies below 80–100 Hz. You need larger drivers or a subwoofer.
• Fletcher-Munson effect: At low volumes, bass frequencies become disproportionately quieter. Turn up the volume to hear low frequencies — but do so gradually to protect your speakers and hearing.
• Subwoofer not connected: In 2.1 systems, verify the subwoofer has power and the cable is connected. Test with a 50–80 Hz tone — you should feel it physically.