Bass test
Pick a frequency between 10 and 200 Hz and press Play to hear how low your speakers, headphones or subwoofer go.
Bass test workspace
How to use
4 short steps.
Set the volume low
Start with the Volume slider around the default. Low tones push small speakers hard, so raise it gradually.
Choose a frequency and press Play
Use the slider or a preset such as 40 Hz Deep. The tone plays until you press Stop.
Move the slider while it plays
The tone follows the slider, so you can slide down until the bass fades or starts to rattle.
Find your floor
The descent runs from 150 Hz down to 10 Hz over 14 seconds. Note the last frequency you heard clearly.
What the result means
Match what you see to one of these.
Bass stays clean down to 40 Hz or lower
If you hear an even tone down to about 40 Hz, your speakers or subwoofer reproduce most music bass well. Below 30 Hz you feel more than you hear, even on good subwoofers.
The tone fades out above 60 Hz
If the sound disappears above 60 Hz, you are hearing the limit of small drivers. Laptop speakers, phones and small earbuds commonly stop between 60 and 100 Hz, which is normal for that size.
One frequency rattles or buzzes
If a tone rattles, lower the volume and check for loose objects, a grille, a desk panel or a subwoofer port nearby. A rattle that follows one frequency is usually something resonating, not a failed driver.
Troubleshooting
If the test fails, try these in order.
Lower the volume
Rattle and distortion at high volume are normal for small speakers. Repeat the same frequency quieter before changing anything else.
Check the subwoofer
Confirm power, the input cable, and that the crossover and level are not at minimum. Set the phase switch to 0 and replay 40 Hz.
Move things around
Move loose objects off the desk and try the speaker or subwoofer nearer a wall or corner. Replay the same tone from the same seat.
Check the seal on earbuds
Bass on earbuds depends on the seal. Reseat them or try other tips, then replay 60 Hz.
What this test can't tell you
Where a browser check stops.
- The frequency is exact but the loudness in the room is not measured, so this is not a frequency response or SPL result.
- The lowest tone you hear reflects your speakers, room, seating position and hearing together, not a specification.
FAQ
Common questions about this test.
What frequency should I use to test a subwoofer?
Play 40 Hz and 60 Hz first, then step down to 30 and 20 Hz. Most home subwoofers play cleanly to about 30 Hz; large or high-end models reach 20 Hz.
Why can't my laptop speakers play 40 Hz?
Small drivers cannot move enough air at low frequencies, so most laptop, phone and small desktop speakers fade out between 60 and 100 Hz. That is a size limit, not a fault.
What is the difference between sub-bass and bass?
Sub-bass is roughly 20 to 60 Hz: the rumble you feel in film and electronic music. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is kick drum, bass guitar and the warmth of voices.
Why does bass change when I move the speaker or sit somewhere else?
Low frequencies build up near walls and cancel in some spots in the room. Moving the subwoofer or your seat a few feet can change a 40 Hz tone from loud to almost silent.
Why does the bass rattle?
A rattle that follows one frequency is usually a loose object, grille, panel or port resonating. Lower the volume and touch nearby objects while the tone plays to find it.