Bass test

How to run a bass test

1. Lower the volume, then press Bass sweep. A tone rises slowly from 20 Hz to 200 Hz. Note the frequency shown when you first hear it.
2. To check one frequency, type it in or pick a preset (25, 30, 40, 50, 60 Hz…) and press Play bass tone.
3. Listen for rattles, buzzing or distortion and for frequencies that suddenly get louder or disappear. Those point to a loose driver, port noise or a room resonance.

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What your result means

• Audible from 20–30 Hz: a good subwoofer or large speakers with deep bass extension.
• Audible from 40–60 Hz: typical bookshelf speakers, soundbars and good headphones.
• Audible only from 80–120 Hz or higher: normal for laptops, phones and small Bluetooth speakers. They cannot reproduce deep bass.
• Tone is silent but you feel air or vibration: the speaker is moving but the frequency is below what you can hear; lower volume protects the driver.

Bass sounds weak, boomy or rattly?

• No bass at all: check the subwoofer power, the LFE/sub cable, and that the receiver or soundbar bass level is not at minimum.
• Weak bass: check speaker polarity (+/−) on both speakers and move the speakers or subwoofer closer to a wall or corner.
• Boomy at one frequency: a room mode. Move the sub, or the listening position, and run the sweep again.
• Rattling or buzzing: tighten loose screws, check cables and shelves touching the speaker, and lower the volume or crossover level.
• Headphones: a poor fit or ear-pad seal removes bass. Press the cups to your ears and listen again.

Frequently asked questions

What frequency is bass?

Bass is roughly 20–250 Hz. Sub-bass is 20–60 Hz and mid-bass 60–250 Hz.

How do I test my subwoofer?

Play the sweep at a moderate volume and note where you first hear it and where distortion starts. A healthy subwoofer is smooth, without rattling, down to its rated frequency.

Why can't I hear the 20 Hz tone?

Most speakers cannot play 20 Hz, and the ear is much less sensitive at very low frequencies. Not hearing 20–30 Hz is normal.

Can the bass test damage my speakers?

Not at normal volume. Very loud low tones can overload small speakers, so raise the volume gradually and stop if you hear distortion.

See also the tone generator, the headphone test and the full speaker test.