A low frequency tone detector filters out higher frequencies, then a latching circuit locks on when a given number of low frequency cycles are detected which have at least a predetermined peak amplitude. Thereafter, only a second given number of missing or low amplitude cycles will reset the latch. The circuit is particularly suited to use with AM stereophonic signals where a low frequency tone is added to the difference channel for providing mono/stereo indication and mode switching. The circuit can also provide an early detect for use by a scanning circuit in a receiver.