Frequency Sweep – 20 Hz to 20 kHz Sine Sweep Test Online
Sine sweeps and burstsReady
Quieter in the mids, louder at the extremes, so the sweep sounds more even to the ear.
- Start quiet, raise slowly
- Check L/R markings first
- Disable audio enhancements
- Runs inside your browser
- No upload, no account
- Nothing saved after you close
Online sine sweep generator for full-range and bass sweeps
A sweep glides through every frequency so resonances, rattles and dropouts jump out. Choose a range and length, or use one of the presets.
Logarithmic vs linear sweeps
A logarithmic sweep spends equal time on each octave, matching how we hear pitch, so 20–200 Hz takes as long as 2–20 kHz.
20–200 Hz bass sweep and sine bursts
Bass sweeps reveal room modes, which make some notes boom and others vanish.
Perceptual (equal-loudness) sweep
Our ears are far less sensitive at the extremes, so a flat sweep seems to grow quieter at both ends.
How to Use the
Frequency Sweep
- 01
Volume
start very low; sweeps contain bass and treble that can be harsh.
- 02
Pick
choose the full 20 Hz–20 kHz sweep or set your own start, end and length.
- 03
Listen
note where the sound starts, buzzes, gets louder or quieter, and where it disappears.
- 04
Compare
repeat with headphones or another speaker to separate room effects from the device.
Logarithmic vs linear sweeps
A logarithmic sweep spends equal time on each octave, matching how we hear pitch, so 20–200 Hz takes as long as 2–20 kHz. A linear sweep rushes through the bass and lingers in the treble; it is useful when you want to inspect high frequencies.
20–200 Hz bass sweep and sine bursts
Bass sweeps reveal room modes, which make some notes boom and others vanish. Sine bursts switch the tone on and off so you can hear rattles that continue after the tone stops and judge how quickly the bass decays.
Perceptual (equal-loudness) sweep
Our ears are far less sensitive at the extremes, so a flat sweep seems to grow quieter at both ends. The perceptual sweep compensates roughly in steps so problems in the response are easier to hear.
How to test frequency response by ear
Without a measurement microphone you can still map your system: play the sweep at a fixed volume and note frequencies where the level clearly jumps or drops. Repeat at your listening position and one metre away; changes that move with position are room effects, not the speaker.
Using sweeps in practice
Room acoustics analysis
Sweep slowly at your seat; loud peaks and deep dips in the bass are room modes, not speaker faults.
Studio monitor calibration
Use sweeps to place monitors and set bass management, then confirm with pink noise and a meter.
Headphone testing
A sweep quickly shows where headphones roll off and whether one side cuts out at a certain pitch.
Science and education
Sweeps make the hearing range, resonance and filters tangible for students.
Locate a sound worth checking again
When the sweep reveals a buzz, note the frequency and replay that exact tone in the tone generator.
Speakers go silent at certain frequencies
That is usually a cancellation from reflections or a crossover problem; move the speaker or your head and try again.
Some frequencies sound much louder
Room resonances and the ear’s own sensitivity peak around 3 kHz both make certain pitches stand out; it rarely means broken gear.
Buzzing at specific frequencies only
A loose part or object resonates at its own frequency; hold that tone and touch nearby surfaces to find it.
Related guides and fixes
Learn more in these guides: No sound on Windows, No sound on Mac, Headphones only one side, Speakers crackling, How to test speakers, How to test headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How long should a sweep be?
Ten to twenty seconds is easy to follow. Longer sweeps make it easier to note exact frequencies.
Q.Why does the sweep get louder in the middle?
Your ear is most sensitive between 2 and 5 kHz. Use the perceptual sweep for a flatter impression.
Q.Can sweeps damage speakers?
Only at high volume. Keep the level moderate, especially for the bass and top octave.