Many headphone owners face the problem of weak bass — even expensive models sometimes sound ‘flat’. The reason is not the quality of the technology, but a combination of factors: the type of design, the size of the driver, the tightness of the fit, and the settings of the sound source. Understanding these points will help you improve the low frequencies without buying new headphones.
Technical reasons for weak bass
The quality of the headphones themselves plays a key role in the reproduction of low frequencies. Cheap models with small drivers (less than 30 mm) are physically incapable of producing deep bass. Open-back headphones are always inferior to closed-back headphones in terms of low-frequency reproduction due to their lack of isolation.
Defects also affect the sound: a damaged driver membrane, worn ear pads, or a loose fit cause sound leakage and bass loss. If the headphones are new and expensive, but the bass is still weak, check them on another device; they may be defective.
If the headphones are of good quality, the problem may lie with the sound source. Low output voltage from a smartphone is the most common cause of low frequency deficiency. Built-in amplifiers in phones do not always cope with high-quality bass reproduction, especially in high-impedance headphones. The sound is not only lacking in depth, but also ‘sluggish’ and lacking in dynamics — the music sounds flat and expressionless even at maximum volume.
Bitrate and codec also greatly affect bass transmission. FLAC or a stream with a bitrate of 320 kbps contains more low-frequency information than a compressed MP3 128. With poor file quality, no equaliser settings will restore the lost bass.
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How to increase bass using settings
Software settings are the most affordable way to improve bass without buying new equipment. Proper use of the equaliser and sound technologies will give noticeable results.
Equaliser settings
The 60–250 Hz range is responsible for the main bass in music. Raise these frequencies smoothly, avoiding sharp jumps — they create humming and ‘rumbling’. Start with a 3–5 dB increase and evaluate the result.
Frequencies of 60–80 Hz provide deep bass, 80–120 Hz provide the main power and density, and 120–250 Hz are responsible for the attack and clarity of the low frequencies. Popular apps such as Poweramp, Wavelet, and Spotify EQ offer ready-made presets for different music genres.
It is important not to overload the mid frequencies (500–2000 Hz), otherwise you will lose vocals and details. In Windows, use the built-in Realtek equaliser, and in Android, use the system sound settings. Adjusting the balance between low and high frequencies is critical for high-quality sound.
Bass enhancement programmes and technologies
Modern sound technologies can significantly enhance the perception of low frequencies without overloading the headphone drivers. The main task is to find the optimal balance.
Effective technologies:
Dolby Atmos — spatial sound with an emphasis on bass.
Bass Boost — direct amplification of low frequencies.
DTS Headphone X — virtual surround sound.
On Android, find the equaliser in the ‘Sound’ section, on Spotify — in the sound quality settings, on Windows — via the Realtek HD Audio control panel. Tip: test several modes on familiar tracks, because there is no universal solution.
