Sound quality in headphones on smartphones Android is often disappointing - even with expensive models like data-i="40">. The reasons lie not only in the headphones themselves, but also in the phone settings, choice of codecs, limitations Sony WH-1000XM5 or Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. The reasons lie not only in the headphones themselves, but also in the phone settings, choice of codecs, restrictions Bluetooth, and sometimes in the hardware features of the chipset or audio chip. In this article, we'll look at 8 practical ways improving sound: from basic equalizer settings to fine-tuned optimization for specific genres of music.

It is important to understand: there is no universal solution. For example, for wired headphones, support impedance and support Hi-Res Audiois critical, and for wireless headphones - version Bluetooth (5.2 vs 5.3) and codec (LDAC vs AAC). We tested the methods on devices from Xiaomi, Samsung and Google Pixel —the results varied even on the same smartphone with different headphones. Therefore, after each section you will find checklists and warnings about possible pitfalls.

If you are not a technical specialist, do not be intimidated by the terms. We explain everything in simple language, with examples from real use. For example, why the bass booms in the subway, but disappears in a quiet room, or why the same track sounds different in Spotify and YouTube Music. Let's start with the simplest - and gradually reach advanced settings.

1. Setting up Android's built-in equalizer

Most smartphones on Android 10+ have a built-in equalizer, but it is often hidden in the sound settings or music application. For example, on Samsung it is called "Adaptive Sound", and on Xiaomi — "Sound Effects". To find it:

  1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Quality sound (names may vary).
  2. Select "Equalizer" or "Sound effects".
  3. Activate manual adjustment of bands (usually 5-10 bands from 60 Hz to 16 kHz).

The following presets are suitable for most genres of music:

  • 🎸 Rock/Metal: raise 100–250 Hz (+3 dB) and 3–5 kHz (+2 dB) for the “crunch” of guitars.
  • 🎤 Vocal/Pop: Accent 2-4 kHz (+4 dB) and lightly cut 60-100 Hz (-2 dB).
  • 🎧 Electronics/EDM: Boost 60-80 Hz (+5 dB) and 10-12 kHz (+3 dB) for "air".
  • 🎻 Classical/Jazz: Leave the bands flat or slightly raise 1-2 kHz (+1 dB).

⚠️ Attention: Excessive boost of low frequencies (below 100 Hz) by headphones with small speakers (for example AirPods or Galaxy Buds Live) will lead to distortion. It’s better to lose a little bass than to get a “mumbling.”

📊 What genre of music do you listen to more often?
Rock/Metal
Hip-hop/RnB
Electronics
Classical/Jazz
Pop

2. Choosing the right audio codec for Bluetooth headphones

Wireless headphones transmit sound through Bluetooth codecs compression algorithms that affect quality. On Android available:

Codec Max. bitrate Latency (ms) Hi-Res support Cons
SBC 328 kbps 100–250 ❌ No Audible artifacts at high frequencies
AAC 250–320 kbit/s 80–150 ⚠️ Partially Works poorly on cheap chipsets
aptX 352–576 kbit/s 40–80 ⚠️ aptX HD Requires a license from Qualcomm
LDAC 990 kbit/s 50–100 ✅ Yes (up to 96 kHz/24 bit) Unstable on weak smartphones
LC3 345–600 kbps 20–40 ✅ Yes (Bluetooth 5.2+) There are few supported devices yet

To change the codec:

  1. Connect headphones and open Settings → Connected devices → Settings gear next to the headphones.
  2. Select "Sound quality" or "Codec".
  3. If there is no option, use the application Developer Options (how to enable - see section 4).

Critical information: On smartphones with chipsets MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12) codec LDAC can cause audio cuts at bitrates above 660 kbps. The optimal choice for them is aptX Adaptive or AAC.

LDAC or aptX HD for Hi-Res music (FLAC, WAV)| AAC for streaming (Spotify, Apple Music)| aptX Low Latency for games and videos| SBC only if nothing else is supported-->

3. Optimizing Bluetooth settings for stable sound

Problems with sound in wireless headphones are often associated not with the headphones themselves, but with the settings Bluetooth on the smartphone. Here's what you can do:

  • 📶 Disable power saving for Bluetooth:
    1. Go to Settings → Battery → Power saving mode.
    2. Add Bluetooth to exceptions or disable optimization.
  • 🔄 Reset Bluetooth settings: 
    Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings

    This will remove all paired devices, but often solves problems with interruptions sound.

  • 🎛️ Enable Dual Audio (if necessary): Allows you to connect two devices at the same time, but may impair stability. Located in Bluetooth settings → Advanced.

    • ⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14) function "Absolute volume" (Absolute Volume) may cause volume jumps. Disable it in Developer settings → Network → Disable absolute Bluetooth volume.

    If the sound is interrupted in the subway or elevator, the problem is channel overload 2.4 GHz. Try:

    • Reconnect the headphones manually (forget the device and pair again).
    • Turn off Wi-Fi on the phone (sometimes it helps).
    • Use supported headphones Bluetooth 5.2+ i LE Audio (for example Sony WF-1000XM5).
      • 💡

      If the headphones start to “hiss” when the smartphone battery is low (below 15%) - this is normal. The sound chip does not receive enough power. Connect the phone to a charger or use wired headphones.

      4. Enabling developer mode for advanced audio settings

      Hidden settings Android allow you to fine-tune the audio system. To activate them:

      1. Go to Settings → About phone → Software version.
      2. Tap 7 times on "Build number" (a notification “You have become a developer” will appear).
      3. Go back to the main settings and open System → For developers.

    Useful options for sound:

    • 🎚️ Disable absolute Bluetooth volume — removes volume jumps.
    • 📊 Bluetooth codec —forced codec selection (if the automation selects a bad one).
    • 🔊 Disable monopole audio mode —allows multiple applications to play sound simultaneously.
    • 🎧 Force the use of stereo —for headphones that are erroneously detected as mono.

    ⚠️ Attention: Not all options are available on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).Changing parameters Bluetooth AVRCP or Audio HAL can lead to failures - it is better not to touch them without understanding.

    What to do if there are no audio settings in developer mode?

    On some smartphones (for example, Realme or Oppo) the manufacturer blocks access to audio parameters in Developer Options. In this case, use third-party applications like Wavelet or Poweramp Equalizerthat work at the system level.

    5. The use of third-party equalizers and audio players

    Standard equalizer Android is limited. For advanced sound settings, install:

    • 🎛️ Wavelet (free):
      • Automatic sound correction for your headphones (base of 3000+ models).
      • Support LDAC i aptX with manual bitrate adjustment.
      • Equalizer with a 15-band graph.
    • 🎵 Poweramp Equalizer (paid, ~300 rubles):
      • Works at the system level (affects all applications).
      • Presets for different genres and speaker systems.
      • Support Hi-Res Audio up to 32 bit/384 kHz.
    • 🎧 ViPER4Android (for rooted devices):
      • Full control over the audio chain (including IR correction).
      • Emulation of surround sound and 3D effects.
      • Requires Magisk or custom recovery.

      • For ViPER4Android you will need:

      1. Install Magisk and module ViPER4Android FX.
      2. Download a profile for your headphones (for example, Harman Target for Sony).
      3. Enable «Field Surround» for surround sound (but this will increase the load on the processor).

      ⚠️ Attention: It may not work due to changes in the audio subsystem. Alternative - Android 13+ ViPER4Android may not work due to changes in the audio subsystem. Alternative - JamesDSP (requires Magisk).

      💡

      Third party equalizers type Wavelet or Poweramp give an increase in quality only if you use high-bitrate sources (FLAC, WAV, Tidal HiFi). On compressed tracks (MP3 128 kbps), the difference will be minimal.

      6. limitations: impedance, output power, ports

      Even with ideal settings, the sound may be poor due to hardware limitations smartphone or headphones. Check:

      • 🔌 Headphone impedance:
        • Most smartphones work normally with impedance 16–32 Ohm.
        • Headphones with impedance 100+ Ohm (for example Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro) will sound quiet without an external amplifier.
      • 📱 Smartphone output power:
        • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: ~2 Vrms (enough for most headphones).
        • Redmi Note 11: ~0.8 Vrms (may not “drive” headphones with an impedance of 64 Ohms).
      • 🔊 DAC quality (digital-to-analog converter):
        • Flagships (Google Pixel 7 Pro, OnePlus 11) have separate audio chips (ESS Sabre, AKM).
        • Budget phones use a built-in DAC in the chipset - the sound will be worse.

      If your smartphone does not support headphones:

      • Use external DAC (for example, iFi Audio Hip-Dac or DragonFly).
      • Connect headphones via USB-C adapter (bypass the built-in DAC).
      • Select headphones with low impedance (16–32 Ohm) and high sensitivity (100+ dB/mV).

      ⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (Xiaomi, Realme), when you connect headphones via USB-C the built-in microphone will be disabled for calls. data-i="257">Attention: Bluetooth.

      7. Elimination of interference and noise

      Extraneous sounds in headphones are a common problem. Their causes and solutions:

      Symptom Cause Solution
      Hissing/crackling Poor contact in the connector or interference from the network Clean the connector, turn off Wi-Fi/4G
      Background noise (as “wind”) Weak Bluetooth signal or codec compression SBC Switch to aptX or LDAC
      Clicks when adjusting the volume “Absolute volume” is turned on Bluetooth" Disable in Developer settings
      Echo in the microphone Transparency mode is activated or ANC Disable ANC in the headphone settings

      If interference appears only in certain applications (for example, YouTube or TikTok):

      1. Clear the application cache (Settings → Applications → YouTube → Memory → Clear cache).
      2. Disable audio processing in the application settings (for example, "Volume normalization" in Spotify).
      3. Try to play the same file in another player (for example, VLC or Poweramp).
      💡

      If the headphones start to “squeak” when active noise reduction is turned on, this is normal for cheap models. Disable ANC (active noise cancellation) - this is normal for cheap models. Disable ANC or reduce its intensity in the companion application of the headphones.

      8. Optimization of sound sources: streaming, local files, games

      Sound quality depends not only on headphones, but also on sourceComparison of popular services:

      • 🎵 Tidal HiFi:
        • Bitrate: up to 1411 kbit/s (FLAC, 16/44.1).
        • Support MQA (for studio quality).
        • Minus: expensive ($19.99/month).
      • 🎧 Spotify:
        • Bitrate: up to 320 kbps (Ogg Vorbis).
        • Spotify HiFi (announced, but not yet released).
        • Minus: compression spoils high frequencies.
      • 🎶 YouTube Music:
        • Bitrate: up to 256 kbps (AAC).
        • No loss of quality when downloading.
        • Minus: no equalizer in the free version.
      • 💿 Local files (FLAC/WAV):
        • Maximum quality, but takes up a lot places.
        • Use players that support Hi-Res (USB Audio Player Pro, Neutron).

      For games:

      • Turn on "High quality sound" in the game settings (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).
      • Use a codec aptX Low Latency to minimize latency.
      • Disable Bluetoothmicrophone if not needed (reduces sound quality).

      ⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ some applications (for example, Netflix) block high-quality audio output via HDMI or USB-C due to DRM. In this case, only Bluetooth.

      💡

      For maximum quality, use the chain: FLAC/WAV → Poweramp → LDAC/aptX HD → headphones with Hi-Res support. Streaming services, even in “HiFi” mode, play local files.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about improving sound in headphones

      Why is background noise heard in headphones, like wind?

      This is an artifact of codec compression SBC or a weak signal Bluetooth. Solutions:

      1. Switch to codec aptX or LDAC (in Bluetooth settings).
      2. Reduce the distance between the phone and headphones.
      3. Disable ANC (active noise cancellation) if it is enabled.

      If the problem persists, check the headphones on another device. The microphone or audio chip may be faulty.

      How to remove distortion at maximum volume?

      Distortion occurs due to:

      • Too high headphone impedance (need an amplifier).
      • Overloaded low frequencies (reduce the bass in the equalizer).
      • Bad source (MP3 128 kbps or streaming low quality).

      Solution:

      1. Set the volume limit in the sound settings (Settings → Sound → Safe volume level).
      2. Use headphones with impedance 32 ohms or lower.
      Why is the sound in headphones different from the sound in speakers?

      This is normal - headphones and speakers have different acoustic signatures:

      • Headphones transmit sound directly to the ear, without reverberation (reflections from the walls).
      • Speakers depend on the acoustics of the room (furniture, room size).

      To bring the sound of headphones closer to “speaker”:

      1. Turn on the effect in the equalizer «Crossfeed» (in Wavelet or ViPER4Android).
      2. Use the preset «Speaker Simulation».
      Is it possible to improve the sound in cheap headphones (for example, Xiaomi Basic)?

      Yes, but to a limited extent. What will help:

      • Equalizer: Boost mids (1-4 kHz) by +3 dB and cut bass below 80 Hz.
      • Codec: Switch from SBC to AAC (if supported).
      • Source: use files minimum 320 kbps (not 128 kbps).

      What can't be fixed:

      • Poor detail (cheap speakers don't reproduce high frequencies).
      • Weak bass (small speaker size).

      For headphones under 2000 rubles, it is better to concentrate on adjusting the equalizer for specific tracks.

      Why did the sound become worse after updating Android?

      Updates frequently change:

      • Audio chip drivers (for example, switching from AKM to ESS Sabre to LG V60).
      • Power management policy (can disable audio amplification).
      • List of supported codecs (sometimes removed aptX).

      What to do:

      1. Reset the sound settings to factory settings.
      2. Check whether the codec has been reset to SBC.
      3. Install a third-party equalizer (Wavelet).

      If the problem persists, write in support of the smartphone manufacturer (attach log from Developer Options → Bug Report).