4replies
how to tell if my new headphones are fake or have a faulty driver
Test both sides with the Left Right Test, then play a sweep. If one side differs in level, bass or crackle, document it and return the pair within…
Alistair Cross
Headphone Benchmark Lead at Sound Test
Alistair Cross is the Headphone Benchmark Lead on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Expert in transient response tracking, left/right separation, and driver matching for studio monitors.
Alistair Cross is the Headphone Benchmark Lead on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Expert in transient response tracking, left/right separation, and driver matching for studio monitors. Shares high-end headphone benchmarks and hardware metrics on LinkedIn. On Sound Tester he answers discussions about weak or uneven headphones, mismatched drivers and buying questions, and checks fixes with the Headphone Test and Left Right Test.
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Answers On Sound Test
- 9
What Alistair Works On
Headphone benchmarksdriver matchingchannel separation
Sound Tester Tools Alistair Looks After
Headphone TestLeft and right channel, balance and driver checkFree · Open tool Left Right TestPlay one side at a time to catch a swapped or dead channelFree · Open tool
Discussions Answered By Alistair
4replies
headphones so quiet on max volume windows 11
High impedance headphones like 250 ohm need more power than a laptop jack can give. Use a headphone amp or DAC, and also check the Loudness…
3replies
how to spot fake airpods
Check the serial number on Apple's coverage page, compare pairing animation and run a Left Right Test. Flat sound and missing features are warning…
4replies
how to test used headphones before buying
Bring your phone and use the Left Right Test, check cable wiggle and ear pad condition, and ask for the serial number.
2replies
refund for headphones that broke after 30 days
A fault after 30 days may still be covered by the maker's warranty or consumer law. Gather proof and contact the maker.
4replies
my headphones lost their bass over time
Pads that have gone flat or cracked reduce bass. Replace the ear pads and compare with a Frequency Sweep.
4replies
my headphones are too quiet on my laptop even at 100
Low volume at maximum often means high-impedance headphones or a weak laptop output. Check the Loudness Equalization and consider a small DAC or amp.
4replies
left channel crackles on my headphones every time i move
Crackling that follows cable movement points to a damaged cable or plug. Test another cable if the headphones are detachable, otherwise repair or…
3replies
my earbuds have almost no bass
No bass is often a poor seal. Try other ear tip sizes, press the bud in and run the Bass Test to compare both sides.
The Audio Team Behind These Answers
Brandon VanceAudio & Acoustic Performance Lead
Xavier CruzFrequency Sweep Specialist
Diana ChenHearing Test Architect
Imogen BlakeBinaural Beats Engineer
Callum SterlingSurround Sound Auditor
Gemma GallagherTone Generator Validator
Harvey FinchSpectrum Analyzer Lead
Rishabh SharmaAudio DSP EngineerEach answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers