Speaker Test
Left/right channels, stereo and balance, plus a full-frequency sweep and low/mid/high response check.
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Speaker tests
Why choose My PC Tester?
Hardware-level tone testing
Standard sine-wave signals drive your speakers or headphones directly, with no file-compression loss. Left/right, stereo, balance, sweep and frequency tests cover everything from factory checks to audiophile tuning.
True device detection
Automatically reads every audio output device on your system (Bluetooth and external DACs included), so you can lock onto the one you want and switch between them.
Clean live signal
Tones are synthesized live with the browser Web Audio API — no noise floor and no compression, so left/right separation and distortion are easy to hear.
Full frequency response check
Custom 20–20000Hz tones plus a smooth 100Hz–8kHz sweep expose dips, peaks and distortion band by band — dedicated sub checks included for bass setups.
Local-only, data private
All audio is synthesized and played locally in your browser. No audio data is sent out and nothing is uploaded.
How to start testing
- 01 · Lower the volume first
Test tones are pure sine waves and can be loud. Bring system and player volume below 30% before starting, to protect your hearing and speakers.
- 02 · Left / right / stereo
Test left and right separately to confirm sound comes only from the matching side, then stereo to check a solid center image.
- 03 · Sweep & frequency
Run a sweep to hear whether the whole range is coherent, then use the low/mid/high checkpoints to judge three-band balance and distortion.
Audio terms explained
- Frequency (Hz)
- The pitch of a sound. Human hearing spans roughly 20Hz–20kHz: 100Hz is bass, 1kHz is mid-range (voice), 8kHz is treble.
- Stereo & imaging
- Two independent channels create a sense of space. Imaging means whether you can close your eyes and tell exactly where a sound comes from.
- Frequency response
- How much of the loudness different frequencies get. If your headset is noticeably loud at 100Hz, it leans toward a bass-heavy tuning.
- Distortion / crackle
- When signal exceeds what the driver can handle, or the cone is damaged, the sine wave gets flattened into a harsh “chk-chk” buzz.
Troubleshooting
Both sides play in the left test
Symptom: both speakers sound when testing left.
How to fix it:
- Check the 3.5mm plug is fully seated — poor contact can short into mono.
- Turn off “mono audio” in system accessibility settings.
Only one speaker plays
Symptom: the left or right side is completely silent.
How to fix it:
- Twist or reseat the headphone plug; front-panel jacks oxidize and lose contact.
- If it persists, the cable is likely broken internally and needs replacing.
Center voice gone, music remains
Symptom: the lead vocal disappears when playing music.
How to fix it:
- Typical of a broken ground (GND): the system subtracts channels and cancels the center voice.
- Swap the cable or adapter and confirm OMTP/CTIA compatibility.
Strong buzzing noise
Symptom: a constant hum from the speakers.
How to fix it:
- Usually a ground loop — separate the speaker power/audio from the PC supply.
- Or plug into an outlet on a different circuit from the computer.
Frequently asked questions
Clicking a button plays no sound?
First confirm the right output device is selected in the list on the right. Some browsers (like Safari) block autoplay by default, so allow playback. Finally check the system hasn’t muted the browser.
I can’t hear 20Hz/50Hz — is it broken?
No. Most ordinary speakers and budget earbuds physically can’t produce sound below about 60Hz; only 2.1 systems with a subwoofer or monitoring headsets dive down to 20Hz.
I hear nothing on the high-frequency test?
Perception of high frequencies drops with age and fatigue, irreversibly. Young people hear 18kHz+; by 30 many are down to about 14kHz. It is effectively a listening-age test too.
Can it test 5.1 / 7.1 surround?
This tool is built on the browser stereo API and targets 2.0 stereo. A 7.1 system still plays fine, but rear and side channels can’t be isolated here — use your sound card utility for that.
My Bluetooth headphones stutter while playing music?
Bluetooth uses the 2.4GHz band and is easily disturbed by home Wi-Fi and microwaves. Move away from the router, or switch to a 2.4G dongle or wired headset.
Audio device basics
Types & connection
- Sound and mic test combo: after the speakers pass, run our microphone test to verify the other end of the call — ideal before streaming or meetings.
- Speakers air-conduct for desktop/media; headphones deliver sound right at the ear for personal listening.
- Wired (3.5mm / USB / Type-C): lowest latency, least signal loss.
- 2.4G wireless: great for gaming; Bluetooth: best for portability & multi-device, but codec-dependent.
Core metrics
- Frequency response (Hz): how wide a range the device reproduces — roughly 20Hz–20kHz is the human audible band.
- Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR, dB): higher = cleaner output with less hiss.
- A DAC decodes music and a driver turns it into sound — both shape the final tone.
Box specs often differ from reality — measure real frequency response, channel balance and latency with the tester here.
Driver units & sound quality
Driver types
- Dynamic: the mainstream choice — punchy, cost-effective bass; used in most speakers and headphones.
- Balanced armature: tiny and detailed in the mids/highs — common in IEMs, often paired with a dynamic driver.
- Planar magnetic: very low distortion and excellent detail — audiophile-grade, but needs more power.
Look at specs & codecs
- Unit size, impedance (Ω) and sensitivity (dB) decide volume and source pairing.
- aptX / LDAC set the quality ceiling for Bluetooth audio.
- EQ presets and spatial audio let you tune response or add immersive, head-tracked sound.
Specs don't equal real perception — test actual frequency response, left/right balance and distortion before trusting the data sheet.
How audio devices work
Sound transmission
- Air conduction: drives air to the eardrum — the mainstream route for most earphones and speakers.
- Bone conduction: vibrates through the skull to the inner ear — leaves ears open for sports, but lighter on bass.
Wearing & placement
- Over-ear: wraps the ear — good isolation, comfortable for long sessions.
- In-ear: compact and portable — isolation and bass depend on eartip fit.
- Desktop / bookshelf speakers: take desk space but add soundstage and deeper bass.
Using & maintaining your audio
Quick fault checks
- One-sided distortion/silence: check the cable, oxidized jacks, then the driver.
- Bluetooth dropouts or lag: firmware, 2.4GHz interference and low battery are the usual suspects.
- Mic problems (inaudible, noisy): fit, noise-cancelling settings and drivers.
- Test left/right, frequency response and latency first — isolate hardware vs connection vs settings before returning it.
Daily care
- Wipe eartips and earmuffs with a slightly damp, soft cloth; keep them dry and clean.
- Protect jacks and charging ports from moisture; store gear in a dry place long-term.
- Give ANC batteries a periodic charge/discharge if left unused to slow decay.
- Keep volume moderate — too-loud listening ages drivers and can permanently damage hearing.
Speaker & headphone care
Test bass depth
Type 40, 30 and 20 into the custom frequency and see which you can still hear — the lower the better.
Test treble reach
Try 14000 and 16000 to check the top end. High frequencies are hard on the ears, so keep the volume low.
Find resonances
If a specific frequency suddenly “crackles” during a sweep, note it and cut it with an equalizer for a clear improvement.
Check channel balance
Close your eyes and press “stereo” — if the image leans clearly left or right, the pair has a balance issue.
Buying guide
Use cases
- Commuting / noisier places: ANC and battery life — in-ear or over-ear ANC models.
- Office / video calls: clear mic pickup and all-day comfort.
- Gaming: low latency and spatial cues — 2.4G wireless with virtual surround.
- Music fans: wide, accurate response — wired or bookshelf speakers, maybe a separate DAC/Amp.
Connection & driver
- Wired is the safest for pure sound and zero latency.
- 2.4G balances gaming latency with wireless freedom; Bluetooth for portability & multi-device — check LDAC/aptX support.
- Warm, punchy bass → dynamic; max detail & low distortion → planar; IEMs → hybrid dynamic + armature.
Verify what you buy
- Right after unboxing, run the tester to check real frequency response and channel balance vs the spec sheet.
- Test different volumes for distortion, and check actual connection latency.
- Use the EQ to fine-tune until the signature matches your taste.
Brands & budget
- International: Sony, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Logitech, Apple.
- Value: Edifier, 1MORE, Nank — strong price/performance.
- Specialists: Bose, AKG, Topping — noise-cancelling or pro-grade sound.
- Budget from entry-level to flagship; the gains are driver class, chip and tuning.