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frequency sweep fades out under 200hz on my laptop

Ask By Hannah B.911 views

when i run the sweep from 20hz the sound is just gone until like 200. is my laptop speaker broken or is this normal?

Brand
ASUS
Model
VivoBook 15
Connection
Built-in Speakers
System
Windows 10/11
Browser
Edge 130
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Tones And Frequency SweepsLaptop Speakers
Tool used in this discussionFrequency SweepGlide 20Hz to 20kHz to find buzzes and dead spots
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Short Answer

Laptop speakers are too small to play below roughly 150 to 200 Hz, so the sweep going silent there is normal. Use headphones or a subwoofer to hear the low end.

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Xavier Cruz
Xavier CruzAudio Team
Frequency Sweep Specialist · 8+ years experience · Answered Oct 15, 2026

This is normal behaviour and not a fault. Laptop speaker drivers are tiny and cannot move enough air to produce real bass, so most start to fade around 150 to 200 Hz.

To judge low frequencies, run the same sweep on headphones, an external speaker or a subwoofer. That is the fair test of your hardware.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Play the Frequency Sweep through a pair of wired headphones
  2. Compare the point where sound returns with the laptop speakers
  3. Use the Bass Test for specific tones such as 60, 50 and 40 Hz
  4. Plug in external speakers if you want lower bass from the laptop
Sources
  1. W3C Web Audio API

Checked by Gemma Gallagher on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 3

  • Austin ColeCommunity Member

    laptop speakers just cant do bass below 200, physically too small. headphones will show the full sweep

  • Samantha WrightCommunity Member

    yep my macbook does the same thing, headphones fixed the test

  • William FosterCommunity Member

    Same on my ThinkPad. Headphones played the full sweep, so the laptop speakers were the limit.

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Audio ToolsBass TestFind how deep your woofer or subwoofer can play
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Xavier Cruz
Written and tested by

Xavier Cruz

Frequency Sweep Specialist at Sound Test

Xavier Cruz is the Frequency Sweep Specialist on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Dedicated to testing high and low frequency sweeps, sub-bass limits, and speaker rattling thresholds. Posts deep bass stress tests and acoustic sweeps on Threads. On Sound Tester he answers discussions about speaker rattles, buzzing at certain pitches and bass that cuts out, and checks each fix with the Frequency Sweep and Bass Test.

Frequency sweepssub-bass limitsspeaker rattle
  • 7 answers on Sound Test
  • 8+ years experience
  • Reviewed by Gemma Gallagher
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The Audio Team Behind These Answers

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Brandon VanceBrandon VanceAudio & Acoustic Performance LeadDiana ChenDiana ChenHearing Test ArchitectAlistair CrossAlistair CrossHeadphone Benchmark LeadImogen BlakeImogen BlakeBinaural Beats EngineerCallum SterlingCallum SterlingSurround Sound AuditorGemma GallagherGemma GallagherTone Generator ValidatorHarvey FinchHarvey FinchSpectrum Analyzer LeadRishabh SharmaRishabh SharmaAudio DSP Engineer

Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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