left and right audio test

Ah, the classic left and right audio test—because who doesn’t want to confirm their speakers aren’t possessed by a mono ghost? Simply play a stereo test track, which alternates sound between the left and right channels. Your left speaker should blare on the "left" prompt, and your right speaker on the "right." If it’s all coming from one side, congratulations: your audio setup is confused and possibly broken.

For a quick DIY, use YouTube or any sound test app. If you want to get fancy, you can even pull up audio settings on your PC or phone to isolate channels. Still, if you’re hunting for gear, check out Tradingpost or CarShowroom for speakers that actually know their left from their right.