Bass Test
Turn the volume down first, then play the low tones.
Turn your volume down before you start. Stop any tone that is uncomfortable.
Highest test tone:
Ready.
Every test runs inside your browser. Nothing you type, say, show or press is uploaded.
How to use this test
The bass test plays pure low tones from 20 to 200 Hz and a slow sweep across that range. Play them to find out how low your subwoofer, speakers or headphones really go, and to hear rattles, buzzing panels or anything that vibrates at one particular note.
Lower the volume, then press 80 Hz, which most speakers play clearly. Step down through 60, 50, 40, 30 and 20 Hz and note where the tone fades away. Then play the sweep and listen for buzzing or rattling at particular frequencies. Use Left and Right to check each speaker on its own.
What the results mean
The point where the tone fades away is the lower limit of your speakers. Small speakers, like those in laptops and phones, lose the lowest tones first; desktop speakers and headphones usually reach lower, and a subwoofer lower still. A buzz that appears at one frequency comes from something vibrating: a loose panel, a screw or an object sitting on the speaker.
Common questions
I can't hear 20 Hz. Is my subwoofer broken?
Probably not. Not every subwoofer reaches that low, and tones that deep are felt more than heard. If 40 Hz comes through clearly, the subwoofer is working.
Is the bass test safe for my speakers?
At a sensible volume, yes. Very low tones played loud can push small speakers past their limit; you'll hear clicking or distortion when that happens. Start quiet, turn it up slowly and stop if the sound breaks up.
Why does the subwoofer only play some of the tones?
Check the crossover setting on the subwoofer or your receiver. With the crossover at 80 Hz, the subwoofer plays below 80 Hz and your main speakers play everything above it, so the 100 to 200 Hz tones come from the speakers instead.