Sound Localization Test — L/C/R
Test directional hearing across 8 trials with timing, level and pan cues, scored with instant feedback. Headphones required. Free in your browser, no download.
Protect your hearing. Start at a low volume. Never raise the volume to make a tone audible. Levels are shown in dBFS, relative to full scale — not SPL.
How it works
Each of 8 shuffled trials renders a 440 Hz tone through DelayNodes for timing cues up to 0.5 ms, per-ear gains for 9 dB level cues, and a StereoPanner for pan cues. You answer left, center, or right after each presentation and the page scores correct against incorrect with text feedback. The last score persists in localStorage. Nothing is uploaded or recorded, and no sound plays until you ask for it.
A sound localization test checks whether timing, level, and pan cues place sounds where they should. Eight shuffled trials play a short 440 Hz tone with a hidden cue — a sub-millisecond delay on one side, a level lift on one side, or a hard pan — and you answer left, center, or right. Each answer scores immediately with the correct direction, and the scoreboard tracks all eight. Everything runs live in your browser, and nothing is uploaded.
Eight trials
Three timing trials, two level trials, and three pan trials in random order. Timing trials use delays up to 0.5 ms. Level trials use a 9 dB difference. Pan trials are hard left, center, and hard right on an equal-power curve.
Scoring
Correct answers show as mint chips and misses as red chips on the scoreboard. The readout tracks your running score, and the last score persists locally with a timestamp.
Aliases covered on this page: sound localization test, stereo localization test, and left center right test.
Frequently asked questions
What does the sound localization test measure?
How reliably you place short stereo cues in space. Eight trials mix timing differences, level differences, and hard pans. You answer left, center, or right after each trial and the page scores you.
What are ITD and ILD cues?
Timing differences delay one ear by a fraction of a millisecond and pull the image toward the leading ear. Level differences make one ear louder and pull the image toward the louder ear. Both are rendered live with DelayNodes and per-ear gains.
How should I run the test?
Use headphones in a quiet room at a low fixed volume. Press Start test, play each trial once, and answer with your first impression. Replaying the same trial can blur the image.
Why do I need headphones?
Laptop and phone speakers mix both channels in the air before they reach your ears, which collapses timing and level cues. Headphones keep the two channels separate.
Is my score saved?
Yes, the last score is saved in this browser only with a timestamp. Use Clear saved score to reset. Nothing is uploaded or recorded.
Is this safe for my hearing?
Start at a low volume. Every trial starts only from a button you press, a persistent Stop and Mute are always available, and levels are reported in dBFS, relative to full scale, never in SPL.