Speaker Test
Test left and right channels, and sweep the full frequency range.
The tests
Left-only and right-only tones confirm both channels work and are the right way round โ headphones on backwards and crossed speaker cables are both more common than people admit. The fixed tones probe specific ranges: 60 Hz for bass, 1 kHz as the reference, 8 and 15 kHz for treble. The sweep runs the whole audible range over fourteen seconds.
Start quiet: pure sine tones carry more energy than they seem to, especially into headphones.
Interpreting what you hear
One silent side: reseat the 3.5 mm plug first โ a half-inserted jack cuts one channel cleanly โ then check the balance slider in system sound settings. Swapped sides: reversed headphones or crossed speaker wiring.
Silence at 60 Hz from small laptop speakers is physics, not failure: tiny drivers cannot move enough air for deep bass. Rattles or buzzes during the sweep suggest a damaged cone or something on the desk resonating. And if 15 kHz is silent for you but audible to a teenager nearby, that is ordinary age-related hearing range โ most adults top out between 12 and 17 kHz, and it is normal. Checking the other half of a call setup is the mic test's job.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test if my speakers work?
Play the left-only and right-only tones. If both sides sound and match their labels, channels are working and wired correctly.
Why is one earphone silent?
Usually a partially inserted plug or a balance slider pushed to one side. If it persists across devices, the cable is damaged near the plug โ the classic headphone failure.
Why can't I hear the 15 kHz tone?
Adult hearing typically tops out between 12 and 17 kHz and declines naturally with age. Not hearing the highest tone is normal for most adults.
Why can't my laptop play the bass tone?
Laptop speakers are too small to reproduce 60 Hz at meaningful volume. The tone is there โ plug in headphones and it appears.