Speaker Test
Check that your left and right speakers are connected and assigned to the correct channels.
Press Left or Right. The tone should play only through the corresponding speaker.
Start at a comfortable volume. For an accurate channel test, make sure mono audio is turned off and the left-right balance is centred in your device settings.
Are the channels reversed?
First, check that the left speaker is physically positioned on your left and the right speaker is positioned on your right.
If pressing Left plays through the right speaker, or pressing Right plays through the left speaker, check the speaker connections and output routing on your amplifier, receiver, audio interface, or computer.
Correct any swapped connection or channel assignment, then run the test again. Turn off your amplifier before reconnecting passive speaker cables.
Does the sound seem hollow or unfocused in the middle?
Select Both, then sit or stand in the centre between the speakers. Try to remain roughly the same distance from each speaker. The tone should appear to come from a stable position midway between them.
If the sound seems hollow, unusually wide, weak in the centre, or lacking in bass, one passive speaker may have reversed polarity. This is often described as being out of phase. Check that the positive and negative terminals are connected consistently at both the amplifier and speaker ends.
Speaker placement, unequal volume levels, room reflections, delay, and other audio processing can cause similar effects. This listening test should therefore be treated as an initial check rather than a precise diagnosis.
Test the low end too
Speakers may pass a left-right channel test but still become quieter or distorted at low frequencies. Use the bass test or subwoofer test to get a rough indication of how deeply your system can reproduce bass.