Speaker Test Tones – Reference Tones 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Octave reference setReady
- 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
Reference speaker test tones by octave
Octave-spaced reference tones let you check every part of a speaker’s range quickly and repeatably.
Why octave steps
Octaves divide the range the way we hear pitch, so ten tones cover the whole spectrum evenly.
Alignment tone
1 kHz at −20 dBFS is a studio convention for matching levels between devices.
Reading the results
Most bookshelf speakers lose output below 50–60 Hz; small laptop speakers below 150–200 Hz.
How to Use the
Speaker Test Tones
- 01
Volume
set low with the 1 kHz tone.
- 02
Octaves
step through each tone in order.
- 03
Listen
note missing, buzzing or much louder tones.
- 04
Repeat
test each speaker using the speaker test for left/right.
Why octave steps
Octaves divide the range the way we hear pitch, so ten tones cover the whole spectrum evenly.
Alignment tone
1 kHz at −20 dBFS is a studio convention for matching levels between devices.
Reading the results
Most bookshelf speakers lose output below 50–60 Hz; small laptop speakers below 150–200 Hz. Above 12 kHz, ears matter as much as speakers.
Speaker tone checks
Safety and setup
Start with system volume at 25 % and raise slowly.
Left / right stereo test
Use the speaker test to play each side separately.
High-frequency limit
Step up from 8 kHz until tones vanish.
Sine wave, sweep and noise
Tones isolate frequencies, sweeps connect them and noise checks overall balance.
Does a successful test mean my speakers are fine?
It means they play correctly; subtle issues like distortion at high volume need specific tests.
How do I know if speakers are out of phase?
Bass sounds thin and the centre image is vague; use the phase test.
Can I test headphones?
Yes, the same tones work.
If tests work but an app is silent
The app is using another output device or is muted in the system mixer.
Troubleshooting
Not hearing what you expect
Check the output device, balance and volume.
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.Which tone is loudest?
2–4 kHz usually seems loudest because hearing is most sensitive there.
Q.Are tones calibrated?
No, levels are relative.
Q.Can I loop a tone?
Use the tone generator for continuous playback.
Q.Why does the wave disappear in "Out of Phase" mode?
The two channels are identical but inverted, so where they meet they cancel. The sound becomes thin and diffuse, which is the point of the test.