ONE PAIR. EVERY SOUND.
Your headphones.
One place to listen.
Pick a sound. Tap your headphones.
Tap the same spot again to pause.
Choose a sound or tap an earcup to start.
Start with your device volume low. Stop if uncomfortable.
Choose your sound
Starts in stereoOr play some music
30-second excerptsA pure tone with identical left and right channels. Try Left, Right or Mono. Side is silent because there is no stereo difference.
Music credits & licenses ↗Earcups = Left / Right · Center = Mono (Mid) · Outer edges = Side · Same spot again = Pause / resume
What do Mono and Side mean?
Mono plays (L + R) / 2 equally in both ears. Side extracts (L − R) / 2 and plays it with opposite polarity between ears. Side can be quiet or silent for centered instruments or mono recordings. Sine and square waves are mono, so they have no Side content. Noise and stereo music let you explore the difference. Turn off your device’s Mono Audio and spatial effects for this comparison. Read the guide ↗
No sound? Check your output and browser ↗ · No login. No microphone. No autoplay.
These are listening checks, not a hearing test 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 centered comparison, tap Mono in the middle of the headphones.
Mid & Side
Tap the center to hear the shared information in a recording. Tap either outer edge to isolate its stereo difference. Side may cancel in mono. Understand Mid and Side ↗
Bass, treble & stereo
Choose a tone frequency for bass or treble. Try Auto pan for movement, or switch to music while keeping the same controls. 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. Your sound choices are processed locally in your browser. Read our Privacy policy for details.
Good sound starts with
getting to know your sound.