QuickDeviceTest Device test / Headphone test
Headphone test
Put your headphones on, set the volume low, and check both ears, the stereo image and the frequency range in under a minute. Works with wired, Bluetooth and USB headsets.
Play each side, then tell us what you heard. Start with your volume low.
The browser does not list output devices here; sound plays through your system default.
What a good pair should do
- Left and right: each tone only in its ear, at the same loudness.
- In phase: the tone sits in the centre of your head.
- Sweep: smooth from deep bass to treble without buzzing. Bass that disappears may just be a poor seal: try bigger ear tips or reposition the cups.
Bluetooth quirks
When a Bluetooth headset's microphone is active (during a call), most connections switch to the "hands-free" profile and audio becomes mono and muffled. That's a Bluetooth limit, not a fault. For the best sound in calls, use a separate microphone or a USB/2.4 GHz headset.
Want more channels? The surround sound test plays each 5.1 or 7.1 speaker on its own.
Questions
How do I test if my headphones work?
Play the left and right tones. Each should come only from that ear cup. Then play the in-phase tone (it should sit in the middle of your head) and the sweep to check both bass and treble.
Why does sound only come from one earbud?
Check the balance setting and Mono audio in your system accessibility settings, clean the earbud mesh, and for wired headphones make sure the plug is fully inserted. With true-wireless earbuds, put both back in the case to reset the pairing.
How do I know if my headphones are on the right way?
Look for L and R marks. Then press "Play left": if you hear it in your right ear, they are reversed.
What does the out-of-phase test sound like on headphones?
With correctly wired headphones it sounds odd, as if it comes from inside or around your head rather than the centre. If the normal (in-phase) tone sounds like that instead, one driver is wired backwards, which is rare but happens with cheap or repaired cables.
Can I test my headphone microphone too?
Yes: use the mic test with the headset selected as the input, and record a playback to hear yourself.