SMALL DETAILS. BETTER LISTENING.
Your headphones.
A little sound check.
One side quieter? Bass not quite right?
Get to know your earbuds or headphones, one sound at a time.
Start with your device volume low. Put on your headphones in a quiet place. Start quietly and stop if anything feels uncomfortable.
No autoplayTHE SOUND CHECK
Let’s listen, one by one.
There’s no score to chase.
Just notice anything that sounds different.
Left and right,
one side at a time.
Left plays only in your left ear. Right plays only in your right ear.
MP3
30-second excerpts · levels adjusted · short fades · no added EQ
Music credits, sources & licenses ↗
No sound on iPhone? Check Silent Mode and your audio output, or open this page in Safari. Sound troubleshooting ↗
This is separate from your device volume. Never turn it up suddenly to hear a tone.
No notes yet. Listen to a sound, then leave yourself a note.
These checks help you explore sound playback. They are not hearing tests or precision equipment measurements. Device settings and fit affect what you hear.
FREE ONLINE HEADPHONE & EARBUD TEST
Know what you’re listening for.
Earphone Check works with wired headphones, Bluetooth earbuds and AirPods. Connect your device, lower your media volume and choose a sound. Everything starts with your own tap—there is no autoplay or microphone access.
Left & right channels
Play each ear separately to check channel routing. For a level comparison, use the Mid signal, which sends identical sound to both sides.
Mid & Side
Compare a centered signal with one that has opposite polarity between channels. Side often feels wider and may cancel in mono. Understand Mid and Side ↗
Bass, treble & stereo
Explore low notes, short high tones and left-to-right movement. Finish with a music excerpt. These are listening checks, not a hearing exam or a measured headphone score.
A BETTER LISTEN
Something sound different?
Mid or Side: what changes?
A centered sound, a wider impression.
Understand stereo polarity and mono.
One side sounds quieter
From balance settings to ear tips.
A simple checklist before assuming a fault.
Bass feels weak or boomy
A small ear tip can make a big difference.
Check your fit and sound settings.
Can’t hear the test?
Check Bluetooth output and your browser.
Easy steps for phones and computers.
QUICK ANSWERS
A few quick answers.
Does this work with AirPods and wireless headphones?
Yes. You can use Bluetooth earbuds, wireless headphones and wired headphones. Connect them first, then press a test button. Wireless playback may take a moment to start.
Why can I hear a left-only test in both ears?
Your device’s Mono Audio setting may combine both channels. Check mono, spatial audio and virtual surround settings, then try again. Use headphones for this check: speakers mix in the room.
Does missing a high tone mean my headphones are faulty?
No single tone can tell you that. Headphone response, fit, background noise and individual hearing all affect what you hear. Do not keep increasing the volume to hear a frequency. For a sudden change in your everyday hearing, speak with a healthcare professional.
Does Earphone Check record me or upload my notes?
We don’t use your microphone or record audio. Test tones are generated in your browser; licensed music excerpts are hosted on this site. Listening notes stay in this browser and can be removed with Clear notes. Read our Privacy policy for details.
Good sound starts with
getting to know your sound.