Every driver has a point below which it physically can't reproduce sound — air just slips around the cone instead of being pushed by it. This bass test is the easiest way to find that point. Start at 200 Hz where almost everything works, then step down. The frequency where the tone fades or starts to rattle is your speaker or subwoofer's low-end limit.
Realistic expectations
- Phone / laptop speakers roll off around 100–150 Hz.
- Earbuds typically reach 30–50 Hz, but only at moderate level.
- Bookshelf speakers ~40 Hz on a good day.
- Subwoofers 20–30 Hz; rare home subs reach 16 Hz.
- 10–15 Hz is felt, not heard, even on big systems.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my speaker rattle in the bass test?
Either the driver is being pushed beyond its excursion limit (back off the volume) or something near the speaker is sympathetically vibrating. Move loose objects away first to isolate the cause.
Will the bass test damage my speakers?
Sustained sub-bass tones at full volume can blow small drivers — they overexcurse and tear. Start quiet and step up only as long as the sound stays clean.
I can feel the 20 Hz tone but not hear it.
Normal. The lowest octave is felt as pressure rather than heard as pitch — you're verifying the driver is moving, not your ears.
How do I test a subwoofer specifically?
Run the bass test in the 20–80 Hz range. A subwoofer should produce clean, even output through that band. If it gets quieter as you step down, that's the roll-off; if it rattles, the cabinet or driver is the issue.