Surround Sound Test 5.1 & 7.1
A surround sound test plays a sound in one speaker at a time: front left, center, front right, the surrounds and the subwoofer. This page first checks how many channels your browser can output. Many browsers and devices give web pages only stereo, and the page tells you so instead of faking surround.
Before you start
Turn your volume down before you start. Stop if anything is uncomfortable. Long exposure to loud or high-pitched sound can damage hearing.
These tests need JavaScript to make sound. The explanations below work without it.
Sound starts only when you press a button, at a low level with a soft fade-in. The level is capped in the code. Esc or the space bar stops it. On iPhone, turn off silent mode or web sound may stay muted. This is not a medical hearing test.
5.1 / 7.1 channel test
Press the button to see how many output channels your browser gives this page.
Press a button to play.
Why you may only get stereo
Whether a web page can reach all speakers depends on the browser, the operating system, the sound card and the cable or receiver. If your browser reports 2 channels, this page cannot test real 5.1 or 7.1. A receiver’s own test tone, or a test file played in a media player, is then the better check.
Virtual surround headsets create surround inside the headset or its software from a stereo or multichannel signal. A web page cannot tell whether that processing is on.
Speaker names
| Short | Speaker | In |
|---|---|---|
| FL / FR | Front left / right | 5.1, 7.1 |
| C | Center | 5.1, 7.1 |
| LFE | Subwoofer (low-frequency effects) | 5.1, 7.1 |
| SL / SR | Surround left / right (side) | 5.1, 7.1 |
| RL / RR | Rear left / right (back) | 7.1 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I test 5.1 surround sound?
Press "Check my channels". If your browser reports 6 or more channels, play each speaker by name and check it comes from the right place. If it reports 2, use your receiver’s test tones instead.
Why does the page say I only have stereo?
Your browser, operating system or connection is giving this page two channels. That is common on laptops, phones and with Bluetooth. Set your sound output to 5.1 or 7.1 in the system settings and reload.
Can I test surround on headphones?
Normal headphones have two channels, so a web page plays stereo to them. Virtual surround is done by the headset or its software, and this page cannot see or test that processing directly.
What is the .1 in 5.1?
The .1 is the low-frequency effects channel for the subwoofer. It carries only deep bass, which is why it sounds like a low hum in this test rather than noise.
What if a sound comes from the wrong speaker?
Swap the cables of those two speakers at the receiver, or fix the speaker setup in the receiver menu. Then run the test again until every name matches its speaker.
Last updated: October 13, 2026