Start with fit, battery and balance
Charge both earbuds, reseat the ear tips and confirm that the device’s balance control is centred. A poor seal can reduce bass and make one side feel much quieter even when electrical output is similar.
Turn off unusual spatial or accessibility settings temporarily so the comparison is simpler.
Inspect the mesh safely
Look for visible wax, lint or moisture under good light. Follow the earbud manufacturer’s cleaning directions; never use pins, compressed air or cleaning liquid through the mesh.
If the earbuds are wet, keep them out of your ears and charging case until completely dry.
Compare more than one source
Test the earbuds with another phone, laptop or cable if available. A problem that follows the same physical earbud points toward that earbud; a problem that stays on the same left or right channel may be a source setting.
Use familiar spoken audio after the nBeats sound so loudness and clarity differences are easy to describe.
Do not compensate with unsafe volume
Raising the overall volume to overcome one quiet side exposes the better side to more sound. Stop if the difference is severe or if either earbud crackles.
Persistent imbalance after safe cleaning, charging, reset and a second source is a reason to contact the manufacturer or a repair provider.
Device-specific safety statements are linked to current manufacturer guidance and independent reporting.
Apple: headphone and earbud debris checks