Frequency Sweep Generator: Audio Test (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Frequency Sweep Generator: Audio Test (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Generate a full audio frequency sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Test speakers, headphones, and hearing range with a logarithmic sine wave sweep.

What is a Frequency Sweep?

A Frequency Sweep (or "sine sweep") is a continuous tone that glides from low pitch to high pitch (or vice versa). It is the ultimate diagnostic tool for audio equipment and room acoustics.

By playing every frequency in the audible spectrum, a sweep reveals issues that standard music hides—like a speaker cabinet that rattles only at 140 Hz, or a room that booms uncontrollably at 50 Hz.

Interactive Sweep Generator

Frequency Sweep Generator

Sweep through frequencies to test speakers, hearing, and room acoustics

20 Hz20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz20.0 kHz
Frequency Range
Duration
Direction
Volume30%
-+

What to listen for:

  • Frequency dropouts indicate speaker or hearing limitations
  • Resonances (loud spots) reveal room acoustic issues
  • Rattles or buzzing suggest loose objects or damaged speakers
  • Use logarithmic sweeps to spend equal time on each octave

How to Use This Tool

1. Test Your Hearing Range

  • Setup: Use high-quality headphones. Start at a low volume.
  • The Test: Start the sweep from 20 Hz.
    • Low End: You should start hearing/feeling it around 20–30 Hz.
    • High End: Pay attention to when the sound disappears.
      • Adults (Under 30): Typically hear up to 16–17 kHz.
      • Adults (Over 40): Often drop off around 12–14 kHz.
      • Note: If you stop hearing it at 15 kHz, that is your upper hearing limit (or your headphone limit).

2. Find Room Resonances (Room Modes)

  • Setup: Use speakers (monitors/subwoofer).
  • The Test: Play a slow sweep from 20 Hz to 300 Hz.
  • Listen For: Volume spikes. If the bass suddenly gets much louder at a specific note, that is a "room mode" where standing waves are building up.
  • The Fix: Acoustic treatment (bass traps) or moving your listening position.

3. Check for Equipment Rattles

  • Setup: Play a full range sweep (20 Hz - 20 kHz) at moderate-high volume.
  • Listen For: Buzzing, rattling, or distortion.
    • Low Frequencies: Often rattle loose screws, grilles, or furniture.
    • High Frequencies: Can reveal damaged tweeters (distortion/hissing).

Logarithmic vs. Linear Sweeps

  • Logarithmic (Recommended): The pitch rises exponentially. It spends equal time in each octave (e.g., takes the same time to go from 100-200 Hz as 1000-2000 Hz). This matches how human ears perceive pitch.
  • Linear: The pitch rises at a constant rate (e.g., +100 Hz per second). This zooms through the bass frequencies instantly and spends most of the time in the high treble. Useful for spectrogram analysis, but bad for listening tests.

This tool uses a Logarithmic sweep for the most natural listening experience.

Common Frequency Ranges

FrequencyDescription
20 - 60 HzSub-Bass. Felt more than heard. Shakes the room.
60 - 250 HzBass. The "meat" of the rhythm section (drums, bass guitar).
250 - 2 kHzMidrange. Vocals, guitars, main melodies. Most critical for clarity.
2 kHz - 6 kHzUpper Mids. Presence and attack. Too much here hurts (harshness).
6 kHz - 20 kHzTreble. Air, sparkle, cymbal shimmer.

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