How to set EQ in Android?
What is EQ and Why Set it on Android?
EQ stands for “equalizer”, which is a setting that allows you to adjust the balance of audio frequencies within music or audio tracks. As defined by PCMag, “An equalizer lets you boost bass, tweak treble, and more to tune your audio to the optimum levels for your ears and headphones or speakers.”
There are several benefits to setting EQ on your Android device:
- Boost bass or treble to match your preferences
- Optimize audio for different genres like rock, pop, or classical
- Compensate for headphone or speaker deficiencies
- Improve audio clarity for podcasts and audiobooks
- Enhance overall listening experience
As noted by SoundGuys, EQ settings allow you to “enjoy your music to the fullest” by customizing the sound. Common use cases include enhancing bass on headphones, reducing harsh treble on lower-quality speakers, or boosting vocal clarity for podcasts.
Overall, EQ gives you more granular control over the audio experience on your Android device. Whether you want to spice up your music collection or optimize the sound for different applications, EQ is a valuable tool.
Accessing the EQ Settings
The Equalizer (EQ) settings on Android allow you to adjust the sound frequency levels to customize the audio output as per your preference. Here’s how to find the EQ setting on your Android device:
Locating the EQ in the Settings App
On most Android phones like Samsung Galaxy and Pixel, the EQ setting is available under Sound & Vibration or Sound settings in the Settings app. For example, on Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Sounds and Vibration > Sound Quality and Effects. Here you’ll find the Equalizer option which lets you choose from presets like Pop, Classic, Jazz etc. or manually adjust the bands.1
Finding EQ in Individual Apps
Many music, video and audio apps on Android also include built-in EQ settings. For instance, check the Settings or Audio options within apps like Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, Poweramp, VLC etc. to find the Equalizer feature. Tweak these to change the sound profile just for that particular app.2
EQ Presets
Many Android devices come with preset equalizer settings optimized for certain genres or styles of music like rock, pop, jazz, and more. These presets boost or attenuate frequencies that are characteristic of that genre. For example, the rock preset will emphasize higher frequencies while the jazz preset will boost midrange frequencies.
Using presets can be a quick way to improve the listening experience for different music types without having to manually adjust all the frequency bands. The downside is that they are generalized settings and may not be tailored specifically for your music library or preferences. Also, some presets like pop or rock tend to overemphasize the highs which can cause listener fatigue over longer periods.
The main advantage of manually setting the EQ vs using a preset is that you can customize it precisely for your device, headphones/speakers and taste in music. For example, you may want to reduce bass or treble only slightly vs a preset which makes broad boosts across many frequencies. Manual settings allow more granular control. The downside is that it can be time consuming to find your ideal settings through trial and error.
Setting EQ Manually
Manually adjusting the EQ bands gives you precise control over the sound profile. Here are some tips for setting EQ manually on Android:
- Adjust bands one by one, listening for the impact on bass, mids, and treble.
- Start by lowering higher frequencies like 8-10kHz to reduce harshness.
- To boost bass, increase lower frequencies like 80-200Hz in small increments.
- Avoid drastic 15dB+ boosts or cuts which may degrade audio quality.
- Aim for a smooth curve across the frequency spectrum.
- Tweak mids (500Hz-4kHz) to adjust clarity and fullness.
- Fine tune with narrow Q bands for surgical changes to small frequency ranges.
- Compare your custom EQ with track presets to understand the frequency response.
- Save your EQ settings as a preset for consistency across tracks.
With careful sweeping of frequencies and listening tests, you can achieve the perfect EQ sound for your preferences. Start with small tweaks for the most natural results.
EQ Apps and Plugins
There are several great equalizer apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you customize the sound on your Android device. Some of the top options include:
Poweramp Equalizer – This is one of the most popular and fully-featured EQ apps for Android. It offers both graphic and parametric EQ with presets and customization options. Poweramp works system-wide and with most music apps.
Wavelet – Wavelet auto-generates EQ settings optimized for your specific headphones. It can analyze your headphones and adapt the EQ accordingly. The app is free and easy to use.
In addition to Play Store apps, you can install plugins like Viper4Android to deeply customize the Android audio experience. Viper4Android lets you adjust the EQ, audio profiles, headphone surround sound, and other advanced options. However, it requires root access on your device.
The right EQ app or plugin can make a big difference in audio quality on your Android phone or tablet. Try out some of the top options to see which one provides the sound tweaking capabilities you need.
EQ by Music Genre
The optimal EQ settings can vary based on the genre of music you are listening to. Here are some recommended EQ presets for common music genres:
Rock
For rock music, you generally want to boost the midrange frequencies to highlight the guitars and vocals. Try boosting 250Hz by 3dB, 1kHz by 4dB, and 8kHz by 5dB. You can also add a slight bass boost around 100Hz.
Pop
Pop music tends to be focused on vocals and catchy melodies. Boost the upper midrange around 2-5kHz by 3-6dB to emphasize the singers. Add a subtle boost around 100Hz for the bass. Reduce some of the extreme highs above 10kHz.
Hip Hop/Rap
Hip hop relies heavily on bass, so boost 60-100Hz by 3-6dB. The mids, especially 1-2kHz, can also be increased 3-4dB to bring out the vocals. Cut some of the highest frequencies above 12kHz.
Acoustic
For acoustic genres like folk, jazz, and classical, focus on the midrange. Boost 180-600Hz and 1-4kHz by 2-3dB to highlight guitars and piano. The highs can also be subtly boosted from 8-14kHz to add airiness.
Tailor the EQ to the particular instruments and tones of each genre. Listen and tweak the settings until the music sounds balanced and clear on your speakers or headphones.
EQ for Headphones
Optimizing the EQ settings for your headphones can make a big difference in sound quality. The ideal EQ settings depend on the type of headphones you’re using.
For open-back headphones, which provide an open and spacious soundstage, try boosting the midrange frequencies like 1-2 kHz slightly to add clarity and definition. Avoid over-boosting the bass, as these headphones already tend to emphasize low frequencies.
Closed-back headphones generally have enhanced bass but can lack treble clarity. Try increasing the higher frequencies starting from 5 kHz by a few decibels to add more sparkle and detail. You can also boost the sub-bass around 50-100 Hz a bit for more powerful bass if desired.
In-ear monitors (IEMs) sit directly in your ear canal and create an intimate listening experience. Since seals out external noise, they already provide strong bass. Focus on boosting the mids and highs, like 2-4 kHz and 6-8 kHz, to get more balanced sound.
For wireless headphones, first try using a flat/reference EQ setting to compensate for any colored sound reproduction from Bluetooth transmission. Then make minor EQ adjustments as needed, avoiding drastic cuts or spikes which can degrade the audio quality over a wireless connection.
EQ for Speakers
When setting the EQ on your Android device for speakers, there are a few tips to get the best sound based on your speaker setup.
For small desktop speakers or portable Bluetooth speakers, boosting the midrange frequencies from 500Hz to 2kHz can help improve clarity for vocals and instruments. The bass can be slightly boosted around 100Hz for some added warmth. However, avoid boosting too much bass, as small speakers can become muddy or distorted (Source).
For floorstanding speakers or bookshelf speakers paired with a subwoofer, you may want to set the EQ to a more neutral or flat response. Reduce the bass frequencies below 80Hz since the subwoofer will handle those low frequencies. Slightly boost the lower midrange around 500Hz for some added body and richness to vocals and instruments (Source).
If your speakers have a bright or harsh treble response, try reducing the high frequencies above 10kHz by a few dB. This can help smooth out the harshness. However, avoid cutting too much treble, as it can make the sound dull and lifeless.
It’s also important to match the EQ settings to the room acoustics. If you have a very reflective or echoey room, attenuate the midrange frequencies more to prevent a boxy sound. Experiment with different EQ settings while listening to a variety of music tracks to find the optimal setting.
EQ Troubleshooting
If you are having issues getting your EQ to work properly on your Android device, here are some common fixes:
Make sure the EQ is actually enabled in your music app settings. Sometimes there is a global toggle to turn the EQ on or off. For example, in Poweramp, you need to enable it in the second tab of the EQ screen.
Check that you don’t have multiple equalizer apps installed that are conflicting. As noted on the XEQ troubleshooting page, incompatible EQ apps can cause issues. Try uninstalling other EQ apps and rebooting your device.
Make sure your Android OS and apps are up-to-date. EQ issues are sometimes caused by bugs in older versions. Updating to the latest Android OS version and app versions can resolve problems.
For rooted devices, check that any EQ or audio modification mods are properly installed and configured. Improperly setup mods can override EQ apps.
Try resetting your device to factory default settings. If other troubleshooting fails, a reset can eliminate any problematic software or files causing EQ problems.
As a last resort, contact your device manufacturer or custom ROM developer. They may be aware of EQ compatibility issues specific to your device and can suggest customized fixes.
Final Tips for Android EQ
Here are some final tips to help you get the most out of EQ on your Android device:
Use a third-party EQ app for more control and custom presets. Some popular options are Equalizer FX, Poweramp, and Music Volume EQ.
Adjust the EQ based on your headphones or speakers. Boosting bass may sound better on headphones than smaller smartphone speakers.
Try out different genres presets if available, like Jazz, Rock or Pop, as a starting point.
Reset to default EQ when not listening critically, as custom settings may sound worse for casual listening.
If you have hearing issues, customize the EQ to boost frequency ranges you have difficulty hearing.
For more help with Android EQ settings, refer to your device’s user manual or the developer’s website. There are also active communities online to help troubleshoot any issues.