Tools
Headphone test
Make sure both sides work, check the balance and measure your Bluetooth delay.
How the test works
Left and right
Each side plays separately. If you hear the left sound on your right ear, your headphones are on backwards or the channels are swapped in software.
Hearing range
Tones step up from 8 kHz to 18 kHz. Most adults stop hearing somewhere between 14 and 17 kHz; that's normal ageing, not a fault.
Bluetooth delay
Tap along with a steady click. We compare your taps to when the clicks were scheduled. Bluetooth adds delay that you'll see as a higher number. It's an estimate: your own timing is part of it.
Gentle by design
Every tone starts quiet. Lower your volume before pressing play, especially with in-ear headphones.
What your results mean
One side is silent
Try another cable, port or device. If it's silent everywhere, the driver or the cable is likely damaged. Check balance and mono-audio settings first.
Delay over 150 ms
Typical for Bluetooth. You'll notice it in games and when watching people talk. A low-latency codec, a wired connection or a dedicated wireless dongle helps.
Questions
How do I test if my headphones are working?
Play the left and right sounds, then the sweep. If both sides are clear and the sweep has no dropouts or buzzing, your headphones are fine.
Why do my headphones sound muffled on calls?
Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality mode when their microphone is used. Use a separate mic, or a headset with a wireless dongle, for better sound on calls.
How accurate is the Bluetooth delay test?
It includes your reaction timing, so the number is an estimate. It's most useful for comparing two headphones, or wired versus wireless.