Bass Test
How low does your setup go? Play pure bass tones from 20 to 200 Hz, sweep down until the sound fades to find your speaker's real low end, run a slow sweep to catch rattles, and try a kick drum and a long 808 hit to hear how punchy and clean the bass is. Works for subwoofers, speakers, headphones and car audio.
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Bass tones (8 s each)
Sweeps and beats
Start with your system volume low, then press 50 Hz.
How to test your bass
- Turn your system volume down before you start. Bass needs more power than other sounds and can surprise you.
- Press 50 Hz and raise the volume slider until you hear or feel it clearly. That is your reference level.
- Press Sweep down (200 to 15 Hz) and press I can't hear it any more the moment the tone fades. The result is your setup's lowest usable bass.
- Run the Rattle check and listen for buzzing from the speaker, the room or loose objects.
- Play the Kick drum and 808 bass to judge punch and clarity with real music sounds.
What the results mean
Compare your lowest marked frequency with what your speakers usually reach:
| Lowest bass | Typical of |
|---|---|
| 20-30 Hz | A good subwoofer, large floor-standing speakers, or closed-back headphones with a good seal. |
| 30-50 Hz | Small subwoofers, bookshelf speakers, good headphones and earbuds that seal well. |
| 50-90 Hz | Laptop speakers, soundbars without a sub, small Bluetooth speakers. |
| Above 90 Hz | Phone speakers and tiny laptop speakers. |
Very low tones are felt as much as heard, and human hearing is much less sensitive below 40 Hz, so the low end depends on volume. Test at a level you would actually listen at. A tone that sounds higher than it should, or has a buzz on top, is distortion: the speaker cannot play that note cleanly.
Testing a subwoofer
Set the subwoofer's crossover to 80 Hz if it has one, which is the usual setting for most speakers. Play 30, 40, 50 and 60 Hz in turn at the same volume: they should sound roughly equally strong. If one is much louder, that is a room mode, a resonance of your room; moving the subwoofer even 30 to 50 cm along the wall often fixes it. If the sub is quiet at 80 to 120 Hz while the main speakers are thin there, the crossover is set too low. Then use the stereo test to check the main speakers are balanced.
Headphones, earbuds and car audio
Headphone bass depends almost entirely on the seal. If earbuds sound thin on the 40 Hz tone, try a larger ear tip; if over-ear headphones lose bass, the pads may be worn or glasses are breaking the seal. In a car, run the rattle check at moderate volume to find buzzing door panels or a loose number plate, and play the 808 bass to hear whether the subwoofer and door speakers blend. For checking the whole range above the bass, use the tone generator.
Common problems and fixes
I hear nothing below 60 Hz
That is normal on laptops, phones and small speakers, which cannot move enough air. Use headphones or a subwoofer for deep bass.
The subwoofer does not play
Check it is switched on and its volume is up, the cable goes to the SUB or LFE output, and the amplifier or TV has the subwoofer enabled. Play 40 Hz and put a hand on the sub to feel for movement.
Buzzing or rattling on some tones
Find the source: a loose grille, a screw, an object on the shelf, or the speaker itself. If the buzz comes from inside the speaker at moderate volume, the cone or surround may be damaged.
The bass is boomy on one note
A room resonance. Move the speaker or subwoofer away from corners, or reduce the bass level a little.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency is bass?
What is the best frequency to test a subwoofer?
Can a bass test damage my speakers?
Why can I feel the bass but not hear it?
Can I test bass on my phone?
What is an 808?
Low frequencies at high volume can damage speakers and your hearing even when they do not sound loud. Start at a low volume, raise it gradually, and stop if you hear distortion or feel discomfort.
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