3 sure-fire ways to improve the bass sound in your headphones

Bass makes music juicy, deep, rich, and dynamic. But it doesn’t always sound exactly as it should in new headphones or old favorite earbuds on a smartphone. At least with standard settings.

The good news is that if the headphones are really good, the situation can be improved. There are three ways to adjust the bass on headphones to suit the listener. Moreover, they are not mutually exclusive. You can try everything, the main thing is to check the result after each experiment.

Let's figure out how to add bass to headphones without the qualifications of a sound engineer.

Check for debris, damage or poor connections

1. Check for debris in the headphone port on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Check the headphone cable, jack, remote control, and in-ear headphones for damage such as wear or breakage.
3. Inspect the mesh of each earbud for small debris. To remove debris, carefully brush all openings with a clean, dry, soft brush.
4. Connect your headphones securely to your device. If your iOS device is protected by a case, remove it to ensure a secure connection.

If the problem with the headphones cannot be resolved, follow the steps below.

How to fix if one earphone is quieter than the other

Above are detailed instructions for solving problems with sound. Now briefly about what needs to be done in a given situation:

Cause	Solution
The membrane mesh is clogged	Place the earphone mesh in the water so that the speaker does not touch the moisture. Rinse the mesh and set it to dry;
Damaged wire	Assess the extent of damage. If the contact comes off, then move the wire and plug. If the contact breaks, take the gadget to a service center;
Water got in	Place the headphones next to a radiator or in a bag of rice and wait until completely dry;
Software reason	Adjust the sound balance on your computer or smartphone. If this does not help, then update the drivers.

Still need help?

If your headphones still don't work, contact Apple Support.

Sometimes iPhone owners encounter problems with the operation of Apple EarPods, when when connecting the headset to the device, crackling and noise appear instead of normal sound. In some cases, you can solve the problem yourself, and the instructions below will tell you how to do this.

Before you begin searching for the possible cause of the breakdown, perform a number of preliminary steps:

- If the iPhone is in a case, remove it, as some cases may prevent the headphones from connecting;

— Connect headphones to the device and press the volume button until it reaches maximum;

— Make sure that the iPhone and headphones have no mechanical damage. The audio jack may not work correctly if the smartphone is damaged, exposed to rain or dropped into water;

— Try restarting your iPhone. In some cases, bugs in the software can cause problems with the headphone output or audio jack.

Possible reasons if two headphones have different volumes

There are a number of reasons that lead to a situation where one earphone is louder than the other:

1. Speaker clogged. In this case, the operation of the device is interfered with by: earwax, dirt or debris that has gotten through the mesh of the device.
2. Damage to the cable or plug. Due to damage, the contacts short out.
3. Water ingress. Water penetrating into the speaker not only clogs it, but also oxidizes the contacts. The faster the user dries out the audio device, the greater the chance of returning them to normal operation.
4. Sound card failure. She is responsible for receiving the audio signal. A sound card, like any other component, is not immune to breakdowns.
5. Speaker demagnetization. Worst situation. Demagnetized speakers cannot be repaired. This often happens with cheap models or replicas of Apple AirPods and EarPods, Redmi AirDots JBL, Honor, Samsung and other fakes.
6. Device incompatibility. This happens, for example, if a person uses a high-impedance gadget with a device that requires different power to operate.
7. Human factor. People who are accustomed to listening to music at maximum volume perceive the sound as quieter over time.

Read more about how to solve problems with sound in headphones.

Dirt accumulation

Headphones often fail in people who play sports or lead an active lifestyle. This happens due to sweating caused during exercise.

If the sound has deteriorated, then first they are cleaned of dirt. This can be done by washing and cleaning the mesh with improvised means. Algorithm of actions:

1. Buy hydrogen peroxide in tablets or 3% solution. This substance is used to clean the ears when wax plugs appear. Alcohol is also suitable for cleaning, but with the same effect, purchasing it will be more expensive.
2. Prepare a container in which to clean the headphones. A bottle cap is suitable for this.
3. Pour the solution onto half the lid, then carefully lower the grids into it so that the speaker does not come into contact with the peroxide.
4. Dip the mesh into the solution for 10 minutes. Carry out similar actions with the second one.
5. After washing, keep them in an upright position with the mesh down (so that the solution does not get into the speakers and flows out faster).

After drying, connect the headphones to your phone or computer and check their operation. If the volume is restored, then all actions were performed correctly.

Wire damage

If cleaning the mesh does not correct the situation, the problem may be a damaged cable. To check for a damaged cable, the headphones need to be moved and tugged in the plug area when they are turned on. If you hear crackling noises, changes in volume or hissing, then the cause of the problem lies in cable damage or poor contact.

If the plug is not in full contact with the socket, lightly press it to insert it all the way. When the contact stabilizes, the sound will be reproduced evenly on both speakers. If the contact is complete, but the sound is distributed unevenly, then the plug is removed and inserted back several times. Next, it is turned in the socket until the balance between the speakers is restored. This happens with new smartphones that connect to headphones for the first time.

If there is no sound at all, then this means that the contacts are broken. If you have the appropriate skills, you can repair the cable yourself or take the device to a service center.

Water got in

Often, why the left earphone plays louder than the right is a consequence of water getting inside the gadget. This could happen while washing or playing sports. If you take action right away, you can fix the problem yourself.

There are 2 ways to dry your headset:

1. Place them next to the radiator. You need to place the headphones next to the battery, not on it. The heatsink may become too hot and damage the device board.
2. Place the headphones in a bag of rice. If the battery is disconnected or gets too hot, a bag of rice is an alternative. The risk quickly absorbs moisture, so within a day the device will dry out.

If the devices work properly after getting into water, they still need to be dried. The fact is that contacts occur gradually. Even if there are no problems with sound in the first 2 weeks, over time the speakers will begin to sing poorly, hum or make noise. In this case, only a specialist can help fix the problem.

Membrane problems

No sound in the headphones may be caused by damage to the membrane:

• the membrane burst. In this case, the membrane cannot be repaired. Buy new headphones or replace the membrane;
• membrane deformation. If this element is deformed, then it is carefully bent with your fingers, giving it its original shape.

It is recommended to replace only a branded membrane (for example, AirPods). There is no point in repairing cheap Chinese models.

Human factor

Young people are accustomed to listening to music at high volumes (from 100 dB). Therefore, gradually the ears begin to hear loud sounds as quieter ones and lose their hearing acuity. In this case, it is recommended to avoid listening to music at high volume. If the problem does not disappear after a week, you should consult a doctor.

The user also needs to make sure that his ears, as well as the mesh of the headphones, are clean. Wax gradually accumulates in the ear canal and impairs hearing. You can remove it using hydrogen peroxide (first pour in the solution, then carefully clean the ear).

Software cause of the malfunction

Often the reason for different volume distribution in headphones is not due to mechanical damage, but to incorrect settings or failure. In addition, in addition to headphones, a second device is also involved in sound reproduction. Therefore, it is likely that the problem lies in its incorrect settings. To verify this, just connect the headphones to another smartphone or computer.

Incorrect setting

It happens that the sound balancing between the speakers is incorrectly configured in the headphones. This results in one side of the headset playing better than the other (a problem common with wired and wireless models).

If the user uses headphones in conjunction with a computer or laptop, you can adjust the balancing as follows:

1. Enter the “Sound” menu, in which right-click and go to “Properties”.
2. Open the “Use device” item and select “Use this device”. Finally, click Apply for the changes to appear.
3. Next, go to the “Levels” tab to adjust the volume and balance between the speakers. Set all indicators to 100%. This will help if the sound is normal in the speakers, but not in the headphones.
4. Now click on the “Advanced Features” tab and uncheck all the boxes. This will remove various noise when playing audio.
5. At the end, go to “Advanced” and turn off exclusive mode.

This was an instruction for balancing sound on a PC. For Android smartphones, the algorithm of actions is different. Unfortunately, the built-in equalizer does not have a function for changing the sound balance. Therefore, you will need third-party software - ViPER4Android. After installing the utility, do the following:

1. Open menu.
2. Enter interface settings.
3. Activate display of expert settings.
4. Enter the headphone settings and adjust the balance.

On iPhones, the sound balance is adjusted faster. To do this you need:

1. Enter iPhone settings.
2. Open the “Universal Access” section.
3. At the bottom of the list, click on “Audiovisual element”.
4. Under the words “Balance”, set the slider in the middle. If it is shifted to the left or right, this is likely the reason for the deterioration of the sound in the headphones.

These instructions are for iOS 13 and differ depending on the software.

Checking drivers

If sound balancing does not help, and the headphones do not have physical defects, the cause of the problem should be sought in incorrect operation of the sound drivers. In this case, they are updated or reinstalled. The algorithm is as follows:

1. On your computer, go to Device Manager.
2. In the manager, find Realtek or another driver responsible for sound.
3. Right-click and select “Update”.
4. Next, click on “Automatic search for drivers.” If the computer finds them, it will install them itself.

If the system does not find the software, you can download it on the official website (select your computer model).

Check and clean audio connectors

Pull the headphone cable out of the jack and check the port for dust and dirt. Often small threads or dust particles get into the connector, which prevents a stable connection to the device from being established. If you find dirt, clean the port opening using a wooden or plastic toothpick or an air compressor. Do not use metal objects for this purpose.

Also be sure to check and clean the headphone jack or adapter if necessary.

Briefly about the main thing

So, let's summarize. Let us briefly describe each of the above methods.

Bass improvement method	Options	When it fits best
Program	— equalizer in the player; — special applications; - audio codec; - lossy audio format	The easiest and fastest way to get richer bass. Does not require special knowledge, the result is immediate. Works with mid-range and premium headphones.
Physical	— warming up	It takes a long time, but almost always with a pleasant result. Doesn't work on cheap headphones.
Hardware	- DAC; - amplifier; - good player, etc.	Expensive, suitable for premium and mid-range headphones. Gives a noticeable improvement in bass sound, but is not very convenient if you listen to music on the go.

Methods for improving bass can be combined
By the way, the above methods for adjusting sound quality work not only with bass. This way you can customize applications and software players for any genre of music. Be sure to try it. And tell your friends, let them get the most out of their headphones.

Other wireless headphone control features

Different brands of headphones adhere to certain standards so as not to mislead the user. For example, to switch a track, many of them use one click or touch on the earphone.

Unfortunately, not all of them adhere to this. And some control functions may vary. However, these instructions will work for most wireless headphones.

A quick double tap brings up the voice assistant. In other models, the combination can be used to switch to the next track.

Video instruction

Rystam Bakirov learned how to adjust the sound on touch wireless headphones and shares this secret with us.

Source

AirPods, Windows and quiet sound

Connecting AirPods to Windows, but the sound is “so-so”? There are three simple tips:

1. Update Bluetooth drivers. It's always useful!
2. Adjust the equalizer. Either use the “standard” Realtek, or install some alternative program.
3. Use AirPods in Headphones mode. Because when you select “Headphone”, the microphone is activated, but the sound deteriorates - it becomes very dull.

By the way, regarding “Headphones” and “Headphone”.

There is no solution to this problem at the moment.

Well, AirPods are not “friendly” with Windows to such an extent that the sound is good and the microphone works as it should. Therefore... either high volume (Headphones mode), or a microphone and weak sound (Headphone mode).

Microsoft. Apple. Well how is that? :(

Incorrect connection

Unfortunately, sometimes owners of Xiaomi Redmi wireless headphones have problems with the L (left) or R (right) headphones not working correctly, for one simple reason - one of the headphones does not produce sound due to improper connection to gadgets on Android or iOS.

Steps to resolve this issue:

1. Remove both headphones from the charger and turn them off (press and hold both buttons until the red light turns on and release).
2. Press and hold both buttons simultaneously until the red and white indicator flashes twice.
3. After this, insert both headphones into the charger inside the case.
4. Check that both headphones are receiving a charge (if there is a possibility that the accessory is not receiving a charge from the case, in this case you need to make sure that the case is working).
5. If everything is fine with charging, proceed to step No. 5 In gadgets on Android or iOS, go to the list of paired Bluetooth devices and delete paired devices (Redmi Airdots R, as well as Redmi Airdots L, if the L side was previously paired)
6. Remove both headphones and connect them to the phone again. First of all, you need to connect the Air Dots R (Right), and it will automatically connect to the Air Dots L (Left).

Note: When you connect the left L earphone first, the headset will accept pairing and become single earphone mode, and will not connect to the right R earphone. If you want to connect both sides of the earbuds, you need to connect the Redmi Airdots R first.

How to increase bass in headphones - 4 ways (PC and phone)

You can increase the bass in your headphones in 4 main ways. For maximum effect, it is better to use all four methods of boosting low frequencies in succession. The most effective and simplest way is to set the equalizer to bass. We have discussed this and other methods in detail below.

If you listen to vacuum headphones or earbuds, it may be enough to “insert” them correctly to increase the bass; you can read about this in our separate article. Incorrect fit is a common reason for loss of bass in headphones.