Bass Test
A bass test plays pure low tones, for example 200, 100, 50, 30 and 20 Hz, so you can find the lowest one your headphones, speakers or subwoofer can reproduce. Start at 200 Hz and work down at low volume. Below about 40 Hz most people feel bass more than they hear it.
Before you start
Turn your volume down before you start. Stop if anything is uncomfortable. Long exposure to loud or high-pitched sound can damage hearing.
These tests need JavaScript to make sound. The explanations below work without it.
Sound starts only when you press a button, at a low level with a soft fade-in. The level is capped in the code. Esc or the space bar stops it. On iPhone, turn off silent mode or web sound may stay muted. This is not a medical hearing test.
Bass test
Play each tone (4 seconds) and tick the ones you can hear or feel. Start at 200 Hz and work down.
Very high or very low tones: keep the volume low and stop if it is uncomfortable.
Press a button to play.
How to do it
- Turn the volume down.
- Play 200 Hz and tick "heard" if you can hear it.
- Work down through each tone.
- Press "Show my result" to see the lowest tone you heard.
What affects bass
- Seal: earbuds and closed headphones only produce deep bass when they seal against or in the ear.
- Size: small speakers in phones and laptops cannot move enough air for deep bass.
- Room: with speakers and subwoofers, where you sit can make bass much louder or quieter.
- Settings: EQ, bass boost, and "voice" modes change what you hear.
Testing a subwoofer? Sit where you usually listen, play 30–80 Hz and move the subwoofer if some tones nearly vanish.
Frequency bands
| Band | Range | What you hear |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | 20–60 Hz | Rumble you feel more than hear: kick drum weight, film explosions |
| Bass | 60–250 Hz | Bass guitar, the body of drums and male voices |
| Low mids | 250–500 Hz | Warmth; too much sounds muddy |
| Mids | 500 Hz–2 kHz | Most of the voice and instruments |
| Upper mids | 2–4 kHz | Clarity of speech; the ear is most sensitive here |
| Presence | 4–6 kHz | Attack and closeness |
| Treble / air | 6–20 kHz | Cymbals, "s" sounds, sparkle |
Band edges are approximate and differ slightly between sources.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not hear 20 Hz?
Very few headphones or speakers play 20 Hz at a level you can hear at low volume, and the ear is not very sensitive that low. Not hearing it is normal and does not mean anything is broken.
What is a good bass result?
Over-ear headphones and well-sealed earbuds often reach the lowest tones on this page. Laptop and phone speakers usually fade out much higher. Compare different headphones on the same device and volume.
Why do I hear buzzing or rattling?
A rattle at certain bass tones is often something loose near the speaker, a damaged driver or the volume being too high. Turn down first. If the rattle stays at low volume, the speaker may be damaged.
Can the bass test damage my speakers?
At normal volume, no. Very loud deep tones can overload small speakers, so keep the level low, and do not leave a very low tone playing loudly for a long time.
Why does bass sound different in each ear?
Usually one earbud or ear cup seals less well than the other. Try another ear tip size or adjust the fit, then test again. The earbuds test has a dedicated fit check.
Last updated: October 13, 2026