20 Hz–20 kHz tone generator
Frequency Test
Choose an exact tone or use the slider to explore your playback range. Start low, keep the volume fixed, and stop immediately if a tone is uncomfortable.
Hearing safety: pure tones can feel louder than ordinary audio. Never raise the volume to force an inaudible frequency into audibility.
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Listening guide
What different frequencies reveal
Sub-bass
Often felt as pressure or vibration. Small speakers may reproduce little or none of it.
Bass
Body, kick, and warmth. Listen for rattles or a sudden drop rather than maximum loudness.
Midrange
A dense region for instruments and speech. Resonances can sound nasal or boxy.
Presence
Detail and attack. Human hearing is sensitive here, so use especially conservative volume.
High treble
Air and brilliance. Sensitivity commonly falls with age, and many devices roll off early.
What it can show
Useful listening clues
- • Buzzing or rattling at a repeatable frequency
- • A severe channel or device-specific drop
- • The approximate audible range of the complete playback chain
What it cannot prove
Not a calibrated measurement
- • A flat headphone frequency response
- • A medical hearing threshold or diagnosis
- • Exact sound pressure level at your ears
For a focused low-end check, use the bass test. If your issue is direction rather than tone, return to the headphone test.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
What frequency range can humans hear?
A commonly cited range for young, healthy hearing is roughly 20 Hz to 20 kHz, but real sensitivity varies substantially with age, exposure, volume, and individual hearing.
Why can’t I hear very high frequencies?
High-frequency sensitivity usually decreases with age and noise exposure. The headphones, speakers, Bluetooth codec, operating system, and room noise can also limit what reaches your ears.
Should I turn up the volume when a tone disappears?
No. Do not chase an inaudible tone by raising the volume. High-level test tones can be uncomfortable or harmful. Keep a low, fixed level and stop if you feel pressure or discomfort.
Does this measure headphone frequency response?
No. It helps you listen for audibility, rattles, or obvious gaps in your current playback chain. Accurate frequency-response measurement requires calibrated microphones, fixtures, and controlled conditions.
Why does a tone sound louder at some frequencies?
Your hearing sensitivity, headphone tuning, fit, speaker-room interaction, and resonances all vary by frequency. A louder tone does not automatically mean the generator changed level.