Audio test
Before you start: Start with your device volume low. Play a short reference and stop if it is uncomfortable. The digital level is not a physical loudness measurement.
Output test
Confirm basic output with a fixed tone and a short range reference, then record what happened.
Each reference plays for at least five seconds. Run one at a time and record what you hear before changing the setup.
- 01
Known tone
A short 440 Hz sine tone through both channels.
Loading audio controls.
- 02
Short range check
A controlled sweep from 250 Hz to 4 kHz through both channels.
Confirm that sound reaches the selected output path before testing individual components.
Interpretation: A successful reference confirms that this browser session can produce audible output through the current path.
Limit: It does not identify which component caused a failure, measure physical loudness or certify audio quality.
Safety and privacy: No sound starts automatically. Signals and analysis stay in your browser by default. Browser dBFS is not physical SPL.
How to use this test
- Keep the path unchanged: Select the output you want to check and leave cables, balance and enhancements as they are.
- Run both references: Play the fixed tone and short range check at the same digital level.
- Record before changing: Mark what you heard, then use that observation as the starting point for diagnosis.
Choose the signal level: New references start at -40 dBFS peak. Select up to 0 in 5 dB steps, then press Play. This is WaveLocus's selectable range, not an industry standard or a physical-volume measurement. Zero is full-scale digital output; lower device volume before playback.
Reference and scope: Keep the same selected level between channel references and repeated observations. Controlled-listening guidance supports consistent reproduction conditions; it does not prescribe a universal browser routing-test level. ITU controlled-listening guidance.
Why routing uses matched references
Left and right references use the same source settings with the inactive channel silent. Both sends a coherent signal to both channels; its total physical loudness depends on the playback path. These are presence and routing observations, not measurements of hearing or acoustic calibration. Changing the source level clears the guided observations so results from different settings are not combined.
Source: ITU guidance on controlled reproduction. Read dBFS vs dB SPL to distinguish digital signal levels from physical sound pressure. Use the left and right audio test to isolate channel routing before interpreting a speaker or headphone symptom.
How to interpret your audio test results
The reference plays through the expected output: This confirms audible output through this browser path at these settings. It does not measure physical loudness or certify the device.
A reference is silent or intermittent: Stop and check browser mute, system output and connections. Repeat the same reference after one change; silence alone does not identify a broken component.
One side is reversed or heard on both sides: Check earpiece orientation, channel assignment and system mono settings before repeating. Downstream mixing can change stereo routing.
Source: ITU controlled-listening guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test whether browser audio works?
Choose the intended system output, play the known tone, then try the short range reference. Record what you hear before changing a cable, device or browser setting.
Does a silent test mean my speakers are broken?
No. A muted tab, system volume, output selection, connection or playback device can interrupt the path. Repeat the same reference after changing one setting.
Why is the test playing through the wrong device?
Choose the intended speaker or headphones in your operating system output settings, then repeat the same reference. The browser channel controls select left or right within the current output path, not a different physical device.