SonicSenses Lab
Stereo panning demo
Panning changes the relative level in each ear, and your hearing turns that difference into an apparent position. Slide it yourself or let it sweep.
Evidence rating: Established science
LeftCurrently centreRight
Use headphones for this one. On speakers the two channels mix in the room, so a hard-left setting still reaches your right ear.
Level differences between the ears are only part of how we locate sound - timing differences and the shape of the outer ear matter too, which is why headphone panning feels like it sits inside your head rather than out in the room.
Every Lab demo is generated by your own browser and stops when you leave the page. Start quiet, raise slowly, and see our listening safety guidance. Nothing here is medical advice or a treatment.