MotionShine01 / Sides
Left is left
The left sound should come only from the left speaker or ear. If it comes from the right, the cables or the headphones are swapped.
Free tool
Speaker test, left, right and both.
Check that sound comes out of the right side: play a sound on the left speaker only, then the right, then both. A phase check tells you if one speaker is wired the wrong way round, a sweep shows how low and how high your speakers or headphones go, and pink noise lets you compare the two sides.
Left
Right
Start low, especially with headphones.
More checks
The sounds are made in your browser. Nothing is recorded.
What to listen for
Three things to check.
02 / Phase
Centred and full
In phase, the tone sits in the middle and sounds full. If the second half sounds fuller, one speaker's + and − wires are swapped.
03 / Range
Low to high
Small speakers often start around 100 Hz or higher. Many adults stop hearing the sweep before 20 kHz; that is normal.
Questions
Good to know.
Why do I hear the left sound in both ears?
Check that the sound output is stereo, not mono. On a Mac, Mono Audio is in System Settings, Accessibility, Audio. On Windows, look for Mono audio in Settings, Accessibility, Audio. Some Bluetooth headsets also drop to mono while their microphone is in use.
Why is there no sound at all?
Check the volume here and on your computer, and which output is chosen: on a Mac in Control Centre, Sound, or System Settings, Sound, Output. Browsers also start sound only after a click on the page, so press a button again if the first press was silent.
Is the sweep safe for my speakers?
At a normal volume, yes. The very low and very high ends can strain small speakers and ears when played loud, so keep the volume moderate and stop if you hear rattling or distortion.
What is pink noise for?
Pink noise has the same energy in every octave, so it sounds even rather than hissy. Play it on the left and then the right: both sides should sound the same. A side that sounds duller or quieter may have a fault or be blocked.
Does it work with headphones and AirPods?
Yes. Any output your computer or phone plays through works, including Bluetooth headphones. Wear them the right way round: L on the left ear.