What you should hear
The test plays short, soft bursts of sound that circle your head every few seconds. A working setup sounds like this:
- The bursts start in front of you.
- They move to your right, then pass behind you, then come round your left and back to the front.
- The sound seems outside your head at least some of the time, rather than only moving between your ears.
Left and right are the part almost everybody hears. Front versus behind is the hard part: it depends on how closely the HRTF resembles your own ears, so some people hear the sound moving only along a line through their head. That is normal and does not mean your headphones are broken.
If it doesn't work
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Sounds the same in both ears | Check left/right balance and any "mono audio" accessibility setting on your phone, computer or Bluetooth device. |
| Only left and right, no front/back | Normal for many people. Try the circle at a slower speed, or the figure-of-eight movement. |
| Sound cuts out or jumps | Close heavy tabs, or switch from Bluetooth to a wired connection to avoid dropped audio. |
| Spatial audio or "surround" enhancement is on | Turn off virtual surround, spatializers and EQ presets for the test, as they can process the signal twice. |
| No sound at all | Press play again (browsers need a click first), check your output device and system volume. |
Ready to make your own?
Once the test sounds right, use the 8D audio converter to turn a song into 8D audio.
FAQ
How do I test 8D audio?
Wear headphones, turn the volume low, press play on the test above and listen for the sound moving around your head. A working setup moves from front to right, behind, left and back.
Do I need special headphones for 8D audio?
No. Any stereo headphones or earbuds work. Quality headphones with good left/right matching give a clearer effect.
Why can't I hear sound behind me?
Front/back cues depend on the shape of your ears. Generic HRTFs match some people better than others, so the sound can seem to move along a line rather than all the way round. Left/right movement is the reliable part.
Does 8D audio work on speakers?
Barely. Speakers let both ears hear both channels, which cancels most of the cues the effect depends on.
Is the test loud?
It is quiet by design, but headphones differ. Start with the volume low and raise it slowly.