diff --git a/internal/app/application.go b/internal/app/application.go
index 13fc5122..dc3b7f13 100644
--- a/internal/app/application.go
+++ b/internal/app/application.go
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ type application struct {
 	overrideLoads chan func()
 	speechChoices chan preferences.Discovery
 	prepareSpeech func(config.Speech) (speech.Transport, error)
+	preview       speechPreview
 
 	notificationSound   notificationSoundGate
 	notificationHistory *notifications.Client
@@ -106,8 +107,10 @@ func new_application(ctx context.Context, source Source, keyboards Keyboards, vo
 	a.ui = new_internal_ui(ctx, keyboards, a.voice)
 	a.ui.gridSettings = func() config.InternalUI { return a.settings.live.InternalUI }
 	a.ui.previewSpelling = a.preview_spelling
+	a.ui.previewSpeech, a.ui.restoreSpeech = a.preview_menu_speech, a.restore_speech_preview
 	a.ui.discoverChoices, a.ui.saveSettings = options.SettingsChoices, a.save_menu_settings
 	a.speechResults = make(chan speechChangeResult, 1)
+	a.preview.results = make(chan speechPreviewResult, 1)
 	a.overrideLoads = make(chan func(), 1)
 	a.speechChoices = make(chan preferences.Discovery, 1)
 	a.prepareSpeech = prepare_speech
diff --git a/internal/app/event_loop.go b/internal/app/event_loop.go
index 3941883b..8d41529c 100644
--- a/internal/app/event_loop.go
+++ b/internal/app/event_loop.go
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ func (a *application) loop(ticks <-chan time.Time) error {
 			a.quick.discovery = discovery
 		case loaded := <-a.overrideLoads:
 			loaded()
+		case result := <-a.preview.results:
+			a.speech_preview_result(result)
 		case result := <-a.speechResults:
 			a.speech_result(result)
 			if len(a.overrides) != 0 || a.overrideCurrent != nil {
diff --git a/internal/app/fenrir_menu.go b/internal/app/fenrir_menu.go
index bccbb426..ea2d90a6 100644
--- a/internal/app/fenrir_menu.go
+++ b/internal/app/fenrir_menu.go
@@ -53,6 +53,15 @@ func (ui *internalUI) open_settings_context(settings config.Settings, path strin
 			ui.previewSpelling(draft)
 		}
 	}
+	if restore := ui.restoreSpeech; restore != nil {
+		restoreSpelling := ui.onClosed
+		ui.onClosed = func() {
+			if restoreSpelling != nil {
+				restoreSpelling()
+			}
+			restore()
+		}
+	}
 	previewChanged := ui.changed
 	speechOverride := ui.speechOverride
 	go func() {
@@ -108,10 +117,20 @@ func (ui *internalUI) open_settings_context(settings config.Settings, path strin
 		pending := map[string]bool{}
 		var tested config.Speech
 		var testSequence uint64
+		previewSpeech := func(session *interaction.Session) {
+			if ui.previewSpeech == nil {
+				return
+			}
+			if draft, err := readSettings(session, doc.Settings); err == nil {
+				ui.previewSpeech(draft.Presentation.Speech)
+			}
+		}
 		changed := func(session *interaction.Session) {
 			if previewChanged != nil {
 				previewChanged(session)
 			}
+			// Discovery below can replace dependent voice choices first.
+			defer previewSpeech(session)
 			if ui.cancelTest != nil {
 				draft, err := readSettings(session, doc.Settings)
 				if err != nil || draft.Presentation.Speech != tested {
@@ -148,6 +167,7 @@ func (ui *internalUI) open_settings_context(settings config.Settings, path strin
 					}
 					discovery = result
 					discovery.Refresh_catalog(session, previous)
+					previewSpeech(session)
 					if ui.catalog != nil {
 						ui.catalog(result)
 					}
diff --git a/internal/app/internal_ui.go b/internal/app/internal_ui.go
index 43dadec1..5f92487b 100644
--- a/internal/app/internal_ui.go
+++ b/internal/app/internal_ui.go
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ type internalUI struct {
 	onClosed        func()
 	gridSettings    func() config.InternalUI
 	previewSpelling func(config.Reading)
+	previewSpeech   func(config.Speech)
+	restoreSpeech   func()
 	speechOverride  *config.Speech
 	testSpeech      func(context.Context, config.Speech, config.Speech) error
 	cancelTest      context.CancelFunc
diff --git a/internal/app/runtime_settings.go b/internal/app/runtime_settings.go
index c767b7f4..c23c156c 100644
--- a/internal/app/runtime_settings.go
+++ b/internal/app/runtime_settings.go
@@ -208,14 +208,23 @@ func (a *application) save_menu_settings(doc *config.Document, draft config.Sett
 		a.ui.failed("Could not save settings: {0}", fmt.Errorf("speech selection in progress"))
 		return false
 	}
+	if a.after_speech_preview(func() {
+		if !a.save_menu_settings(doc, draft, done) {
+			done(fmt.Errorf("settings save in progress"))
+		}
+	}) {
+		return true
+	}
 	previousDraft := a.settings.saveDraft
 	liveSpeech, draftSpeech := a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech, draft.Presentation.Speech
 	sameDevice := draftSpeech.Driver == liveSpeech.Driver && draftSpeech.HardwareDevice == liveSpeech.HardwareDevice && draftSpeech.HardwareBaudRate == liveSpeech.HardwareBaudRate
 	profileSelected := draft.VoiceProfiles.Matching(config.Primary_voice(draft)) != ""
 	speechApplied := a.settings.speechAvailable && (sameDevice || profileSelected) && !same_speech_selection(draftSpeech, liveSpeech)
+	// The menu preview may already be speaking with this selection.
+	previewed := a.preview.active && same_speech_selection(a.preview.selection, draftSpeech)
 	if !a.saver.start(a.ctx, draft, func() error {
 		var prepared speech.Transport
-		if speechApplied {
+		if speechApplied && !previewed {
 			var err error
 			prepared, err = a.prepareSpeech(draft.Presentation.Speech)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -281,6 +290,11 @@ func (a *application) save_menu_settings(doc *config.Document, draft config.Sett
 			a.settings.resetBase = draft // RESET reflects disk, not later overrides.
 			a.quick.changed = newerQuick
 		}
+		// A committed save owns the voice now; otherwise the form stays
+		// open with its preview. Either way the live settings decide.
+		if settings_committed(err) {
+			a.restore_speech_preview()
+		}
 		done(err)
 	}
 	return true
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_preview.go b/internal/app/speech_preview.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..457c1043
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/app/speech_preview.go
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+package app
+
+import (
+	"log/slog"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/config"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/speech"
+)
+
+// speechPreview lets the Fenrir Menu speak with its unsaved voice. The event
+// loop owns every field. One candidate is prepared at a time; newer form
+// values replace the queued one. Closing the menu, or committing a save,
+// returns the transport to the live settings.
+type speechPreview struct {
+	active     bool
+	busy       bool
+	selection  config.Speech
+	parameters speech.Parameters
+	queued     *config.Speech
+	idle       []func()
+	results    chan speechPreviewResult
+}
+
+type speechPreviewResult struct {
+	selected config.Speech
+	err      error
+}
+
+func previewable_selection(driverID string) bool {
+	driver, err := speech.Find_driver(driverID)
+	return err == nil && !driver.Hardware && driver.Voices != nil
+}
+
+// preview_menu_speech applies unsaved menu values to the running voice.
+// Hardware synthesizers keep their explicit voice test instead.
+func (a *application) preview_menu_speech(selected config.Speech) {
+	live := a.settings.live
+	if !a.settings.speechAvailable || selected.Driver != live.Presentation.Speech.Driver {
+		return
+	}
+	parameters := speech.Parameters{Rate: selected.Rate, Pitch: selected.Pitch, Volume: selected.Volume}
+	if parameters.Validate() != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	preview := &a.preview
+	if !preview.active {
+		preview.active = true
+		preview.selection = live.Presentation.Speech
+		preview.parameters = speech_parameters(live)
+	}
+	if parameters != preview.parameters {
+		preview.parameters = parameters
+		a.voice.Configure(parameters)
+	}
+	if previewable_selection(selected.Driver) {
+		a.preview_selection(selected)
+	}
+}
+
+func (a *application) preview_selection(selected config.Speech) {
+	preview := &a.preview
+	if preview.busy {
+		preview.queued = &selected
+		return
+	}
+	if same_speech_selection(selected, preview.selection) {
+		return
+	}
+	preview.busy = true
+	go func() {
+		prepared, err := a.prepareSpeech(selected)
+		if err == nil {
+			err = a.replace_speech(prepared)
+		}
+		select {
+		case preview.results <- speechPreviewResult{selected: selected, err: err}:
+		case <-a.ctx.Done():
+		}
+	}()
+}
+
+func (a *application) speech_preview_result(result speechPreviewResult) {
+	preview := &a.preview
+	preview.busy = false
+	if result.err == nil {
+		preview.selection = result.selected
+	} else {
+		slog.Warn("speech preview unavailable", "error", result.err, "at", time.Now())
+	}
+	if queued := preview.queued; queued != nil {
+		preview.queued = nil
+		a.preview_selection(*queued)
+	}
+	if preview.busy {
+		return
+	}
+	if same_speech_selection(preview.selection, a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech) &&
+		preview.parameters == speech_parameters(a.settings.live) {
+		preview.active = false
+	}
+	idle := preview.idle
+	preview.idle = nil
+	for _, run := range idle {
+		run()
+	}
+}
+
+// restore_speech_preview returns the running voice to the live settings.
+func (a *application) restore_speech_preview() {
+	preview := &a.preview
+	if !preview.active {
+		return
+	}
+	live := a.settings.live
+	if parameters := speech_parameters(live); parameters != preview.parameters {
+		preview.parameters = parameters
+		a.voice.Configure(parameters)
+	}
+	if previewable_selection(preview.selection.Driver) {
+		a.preview_selection(live.Presentation.Speech)
+	}
+	if !preview.busy && same_speech_selection(preview.selection, live.Presentation.Speech) {
+		preview.active, preview.queued = false, nil
+	}
+}
+
+// after_speech_preview runs work once no preview candidate is in flight, so a
+// save's own transport replacement cannot be overtaken by an older preview.
+func (a *application) after_speech_preview(run func()) bool {
+	if !a.preview.busy {
+		return false
+	}
+	a.preview.idle = append(a.preview.idle, run)
+	return true
+}
diff --git a/internal/app/speech_preview_test.go b/internal/app/speech_preview_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3a28709b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/app/speech_preview_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2026 Storm Dragon
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+package app
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/config"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/interaction"
+	"git.stormux.org/storm/fenrir/internal/speech"
+)
+
+func preview_application(t *testing.T) (*application, *selectingVoice, string, chan config.Speech) {
+	t.Helper()
+	a, voice, path := selection_application(t, true)
+	prepared := make(chan config.Speech, 8)
+	a.prepareSpeech = func(selected config.Speech) (speech.Transport, error) {
+		prepared <- selected
+		return &preparedVoice{}, nil
+	}
+	return a, voice, path, prepared
+}
+
+func finish_preview(t *testing.T, a *application, voice *selectingVoice) {
+	t.Helper()
+	select {
+	case result := <-a.preview.results:
+		if result.err == nil {
+			(<-voice.replaced).Close()
+		}
+		a.speech_preview_result(result)
+	case <-time.After(time.Second):
+		t.Fatal("speech preview stalled")
+	}
+}
+
+func last_parameters(t *testing.T, voice *selectingVoice) speech.Parameters {
+	t.Helper()
+	if len(voice.parameters) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no speech parameters were configured")
+	}
+	return voice.parameters[len(voice.parameters)-1]
+}
+
+func TestMenuSpeechPreviewAppliesUnsavedVoiceAndRestoresOnClose(t *testing.T) {
+	a, voice, _, prepared := preview_application(t)
+	live := a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech
+	selected := live
+	selected.Module, selected.Rate = "fixture", 40
+	a.preview_menu_speech(selected)
+	if got := last_parameters(t, voice); got.Rate != 40 {
+		t.Fatalf("rate preview = %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got := <-prepared; got.Module != "fixture" {
+		t.Fatalf("prepared module = %q", got.Module)
+	}
+	// A newer form value waits for the candidate in flight.
+	newer := selected
+	newer.Module = "second"
+	a.preview_menu_speech(newer)
+	finish_preview(t, a, voice)
+	if got := <-prepared; got.Module != "second" {
+		t.Fatalf("queued module = %q", got.Module)
+	}
+	finish_preview(t, a, voice)
+	if a.preview.selection.Module != "second" || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Module != live.Module {
+		t.Fatal("preview changed live settings", a.preview.selection, a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech)
+	}
+	a.restore_speech_preview()
+	if got := last_parameters(t, voice); got != speech_parameters(a.settings.live) {
+		t.Fatalf("restored parameters = %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got := <-prepared; got.Module != live.Module {
+		t.Fatalf("restored module = %q", got.Module)
+	}
+	finish_preview(t, a, voice)
+	if a.preview.active {
+		t.Fatal("preview still active after restore")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMenuSaveWaitsForPreviewAndKeepsPreviewedVoice(t *testing.T) {
+	a, voice, path, prepared := preview_application(t)
+	selected := a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech
+	selected.Module = "fixture"
+	a.preview_menu_speech(selected)
+	<-prepared
+	doc, err := config.Open_document(path, a.settings.live)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	draft := doc.Settings
+	draft.Presentation.Speech.Module = "fixture"
+	var outcome error
+	if !a.save_menu_settings(doc, draft, func(err error) { outcome = err }) {
+		t.Fatal("save not admitted")
+	}
+	if a.saver.busy {
+		t.Fatal("save overtook the preview in flight")
+	}
+	finish_preview(t, a, voice)
+	if !a.saver.busy {
+		t.Fatal("deferred save did not start")
+	}
+	finish_persistence(t, a, false)
+	if outcome != nil || a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech.Module != "fixture" || a.preview.active {
+		t.Fatal("save did not commit the previewed voice", outcome, a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech, a.preview)
+	}
+	select {
+	case extra := <-prepared:
+		t.Fatal("save reconnected the previewed voice", extra)
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+func TestHardwareSelectionIsNotPreviewed(t *testing.T) {
+	a, voice, _, prepared := preview_application(t)
+	selected := a.settings.live.Presentation.Speech
+	selected.Driver, selected.Rate = "dectalk", 30
+	a.preview_menu_speech(selected)
+	if len(voice.parameters) != 0 || a.preview.active {
+		t.Fatal("a different driver changed the running voice")
+	}
+	select {
+	case got := <-prepared:
+		t.Fatal("hardware selection was prepared", got)
+	default:
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMenuRateChangeIsHeardAndEscapeRestoresIt(t *testing.T) {
+	a, voice := persistence_application(t, true)
+	live := speech_parameters(a.settings.live)
+	a.open_settings()
+	receive_ui(t, a.ui)
+	a.ui.handle(interaction.Key{Name: "tab"})
+	a.ui.handle(interaction.Key{Name: "tab"})
+	a.ui.handle(interaction.Key{Name: "right"})
+	if len(voice.parameters) == 0 || voice.parameters[len(voice.parameters)-1].Rate != live.Rate+1 {
+		t.Fatal("menu rate change was not previewed", voice.parameters, live)
+	}
+	a.ui.handle(interaction.Key{Name: "escape"})
+	if got := voice.parameters[len(voice.parameters)-1]; got != live || a.preview.active {
+		t.Fatal("escape did not restore the live voice", got, live)
+	}
+}