Low-frequency listening diagnostic
Bass test bench
Run controlled 20–200 Hz sine tones, a logarithmic sweep, spaced reference steps, or short rattle pulses. You supply the listening observation; the browser does not measure your room, equipment, or hearing.
Turn every volume control down first
Low bass may seem quiet while still driving a speaker hard. Start with the device, amplifier, subwoofer, and this tool low. Never raise volume to force an inaudible tone. Stop at discomfort, obvious distortion, excessive driver movement, or a harsh mechanical sound.
How to use
- Lower hardware volume, choose the intended output, and clear loose nearby objects.
- Acknowledge the caution, choose one mode, and leave the tool at its low default level.
- Run one short pass. Pause or stop immediately if anything sounds strained.
- Record only what you heard, then repeat after one controlled change if useful.
Signal controls
Sine only, bounded duration, local Web Audio output after you press Run.
Exact tone: holds one frequency for up to 15 seconds. Move the frequency while it plays to narrow down a repeatable symptom.
Log sweep: gives equal time to each octave, making the low end easier to inspect. A sweep is a locator, not a frequency-response measurement.
Step scan: plays 11 short reference points from 20 to 200 Hz with silent gaps. Listen for a repeatable change; do not turn up the lowest steps.
Sequence: 20 · 25 · 31.5 · 40 · 50 · 63 · 80 · 100 · 125 · 160 · 200 Hz. Each tone is 0.72 seconds, followed by a short silent gap.
Rattle pulses: repeats six short bursts at the selected frequency. The silent gaps help you locate a loose grille, cable, panel, or object without holding a continuous tone.
Set the target in Exact tone first, then choose Rattle pulses. A buzz can come from the room or furniture, not necessarily the driver.
Digital peak gain only; it is not acoustic dB or SPL. Your operating-system and hardware levels are separate. Maximum is capped at −24 dBFS.
Your listening notes
Entries stay only in this page and describe your observation, not a detected result.
No observations saved. The current displayed frequency will be used.
Interpret what you hear carefully
- Weak or silent low steps: may reflect a crossover, limiter, small driver, output route, room cancellation, fit, or hearing. It is not automatically a fault.
- A repeatable buzz: stop, lower the level, and check nearby objects, cables, feet, grilles, and panels. Repeat briefly only after changing one thing.
- A peak or dip that moves: if it changes when you move your head or the speaker, room position is likely involved.
- Sound below a device's range: can be harmonic distortion rather than the displayed fundamental. The source is a sine; the acoustic output may not be.
What this browser test cannot measure
- No acoustic response curve: there is no calibrated microphone, reference level, room correction, or analysis input.
- No pass/fail score: the displayed hertz, time, and dBFS describe the requested digital signal, not what reached your ears.
- No hearing diagnosis: do not use silence or discomfort as a medical conclusion. Stop and seek a qualified professional when appropriate.
Browser access: this tool uses only Web Audio output after a Run press. It requests no microphone, camera, file, location, or connected-device permission; records nothing; uploads nothing; and makes no external request.