Purpose
This blind test helps you assess the upper limit of your hearing frequency range. This test is an extension of our High Frequency Response and Hearing Test.
While both tests measure the same limit, the blind test will give you results that are probably closer to your real life listening experience. Instead of generating a pure sine sweep such as in our initial test, we are now using white noise. Noise induces a masking effect: the sound produced in your audible range will now mask the frequencies located at the very edge of your hearing range, reducing your audible frequency range.
Using noise also minimizes the side effects of aliasing (by masking the aliased frequencies as well).
Files being tested
| Full Range | Below 16kHz |
The first one plays back full range white noise, with frequencies extending up to 22 kHz. The second file plays back a low-pass filtered noise, with no sonic content above 16 kHz. Listen to both files: if you think you can hear a difference try the test below, otherwise pick a lower cutoff frequency at the top of this column.
The Test
| Full Range Below 16kHz | |
| Listen to [?] then vote — multiple guesses not allowed (your vote triggers a new draw) | |
To pass a blind test, you will need to perform 10 trials at least, obtain a high score and reach a high confidence level: 95% is standard to rate statistical significance. It means that your score outperforms random guesses by 95%. There is still a probability that you just got lucky though, 5%. To reduce such probability to 1%, keep testing until you reached a confidence level of 99%.
If you didn't pass this test, try with a lower cutoff frequency: 10kHz 11kHz 12kHz 13kHz 14kHz 15kHz ...
Related pages
Other high frequency tests
- Our Original High Frequency Response and Hearing Test
External links
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Take up the challenge
- Find the smallest difference in sound levels you can detect.
The Level Series: 6dB 3dB 1dB 0.5dB 0.2dB 0.1dB - Find the highest frequency you can reliably hear.
The Frequency Series: 10kHz 11k 12k 13k 14k 15k 16k 17k 18k 19k 20kHz - Find the smallest difference in pitch (frequency) you can hear.
The Pitch Series: 50c 20c 10c 5c 2c 1c - Find the shortest timing difference you can reliably hear. NEW
The Timing Series: 1ms 2ms 5ms 10ms 20ms 50ms 100ms - Find the highest dynamic range offered by your listening environment.
The Dynamic Range Series: 36dB 42dB 48dB 54dB 60dB 66dB 72dB 78dB - Do you have the absolute hearing ability?
The Perfect Pitch Blind Test: C Scale Chromatic - Are your ears sensitive to Absolute Phase?
The Absolute Polarity Blind Test: Here - Can you hear a difference between 16-bit and 8-bit audio files?
The 16-bit v/s 8-bit Blind Test
