Online Subwoofer Test: Bass Frequency Sweep (20Hz - 200Hz)
Test your subwoofer's low-end response. Free online bass sweep (20-200Hz). Detect rattles, check crossover frequencies, and verify deep bass performance.
Is Your Subwoofer Working Correctly?
Deep bass is felt as much as it is heard. Whether you are setting up a home theater, calibrating a car audio system, or testing studio monitors, this tool generates pure low-frequency sine waves to test your system's capabilities.
Subwoofer & Bass Test
Test your subwoofer and speakers with low frequency tones (20-120 Hz)
Fixed Frequencies
Testing Tips:
- Most laptop/phone speakers can't reproduce below 80-100 Hz
- A subwoofer typically handles 20-80 Hz range
- If you feel vibration but hear little, the frequency is very low
- Use the sweep to identify resonance points in your room
Audio is generated in your browser. Use external speakers or a subwoofer for best results.
How to Use This Test
1. The Frequency Sweep (20 Hz - 200 Hz)
Use the sweep function to play a tone that glides from deep sub-bass up to mid-bass.
- What to listen for: The volume should remain relatively consistent. If the sound suddenly disappears or gets extremely loud at certain points, you may have "room modes" (standing waves) or acoustic cancellation.
- Rattle Check: Listen for loose screws, vibrating panels, or furniture rattling in the room.
2. Deep Bass Check (20 Hz - 40 Hz)
These frequencies are at the limit of human hearing.
- 20-30 Hz: You will likely feel this more than hear it (shaking floor/walls). Only high-end subwoofers can reproduce this cleanly.
- 30-40 Hz: The "thump" range. Most decent home theater subs should handle this.
3. Crossover Check (80 Hz - 120 Hz)
This is the typical "handover" region where your subwoofer stops and your main speakers take over.
- Ideally, the transition should be smooth. If the bass seems to come from a specific location (localizable) rather than filling the room, your crossover might be set too high (>80 Hz).
Understanding Bass Frequencies
| Frequency Range | Description | Musical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 20 - 40 Hz | Sub-Bass | Earthquake rumble, synthesized explosions, lowest piano note (A0 is 27.5 Hz). |
| 40 - 80 Hz | Bass | Kick drum chest punch, low E string on bass guitar (41 Hz). |
| 80 - 160 Hz | Upper Bass | Warmth of male vocals, cello, guitar bodies. |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"I can't hear anything below 40 Hz."
- Hardware Limit: Most computer speakers, laptops, and phones physically cannot produce these waves. You need a dedicated subwoofer or high-quality over-ear headphones.
- Roll-off: Many consumer subwoofers have a "roll-off" around 35 Hz to protect the driver.
"One specific note booms much louder than others."
- Room Modes: Your room geometry is likely amplifying that specific frequency. Try moving the subwoofer a few feet or using bass traps in corners.
"The bass sounds thin or weak."
- Phase Issues: Your subwoofer might be "out of phase" with your main speakers (they are pushing air while the sub is pulling). Try flipping the 0°/180° phase switch on the back of your sub.
Safety Warning
Warning
Protect Your Equipment: Low frequencies require massive power and excursion (cone movement). Do not play these tones at maximum volume, as you can overheat the voice coil or physically damage the speaker cone. Start low and turn up gradually.
Related Tools
- Speaker Test - Test left/right stereo imaging.
- Tone Generator - Generate fixed frequencies for prolonged testing.
- Binaural Beats - Explore psychoacoustic bass effects.
- Frequency Chart - See where instruments sit in the spectrum.