Top Best Apple Music Equalizers & EQ Settings [Update]

Part 1. How to Use Apple Music Equalizer on iPhone/Android/Mac/PC

It's simple to adjust Apple Music EQ settings on iPhone, Windows, Mac, and Android because it only takes a few steps. Furthermore, you can make many adjustments on your preferences, such as boosting bass, tuning clear vocals, and more. Follow the steps below to learn how to do this on your mobile/desktop device.

How to Adjust EQ on Apple Music for iPhone/iPad

It is noted that the equalizer is not in the Music app on iOS and iPadOS. It is in your device's Settings. So, follow the steps to start.

Step 1. Click on the 'Settings' app, then scroll mid-way and select the 'Music' option.

Step 2. Tap on the 'EQ' button under 'Audio' or 'Playback' and select the desired equalizer.

Step 3. Open EQ to browse all available presets. There is a list of more than 20 EQ presets like Bass Booster, Rock, Vocal Booster and so on. Just select a favorite music effect and activate it.

Step 4. Go to Apple Music to play the song with the new sound effect.

How to Change Apple Music Equalizer on Mac

On Mac computers, there is a built-in Apple Music EQ in the Apple Music app for you to do more control directly.

Step 1. Launch the Apple Music application on your Mac desktop.

Step 2. Select 'Window' > 'Equalizer' from the top menu bar on the app's screen.

Step 3. On the pop-up Equalizer screen, select a preset or drag the slider to adjust the sound parameters.

Step 4. Tap the 'On' button to turn on the Apple Music Equalizer settings.

How to Set up Apple Music EQ on PC

While on a Windows PC, to adjust Apple Music EQ settings, you need to use the iTunes program.

Step 1. Launch the iTunes app on your PC, and tap the 'View' option in the menu bar.

Step 2. Click the 'Show Equalizer' option.

Step 3. Choose the desired preset and adjust the frequencies by moving the sliders in the Equalizer window.

Step 4. Hit the 'On' button to enable Equalizer for Apple Music.

How to Set Equalizer on Apple Music for Android

On Android, there is no Equalizer within the Apple Music app. However, you can still setup the Equalizer from your phone's Settings. Now, most modern Android devices have a system-wide equalizer that will affect all audio playing on your device, including Apple Music. Follow the steps below to customize Equalizer for Apple Music on Android!

Step 1. Navigate to Settings on your Android phone.

Step 2. Scroll down and find the Sound & Touch or Sound & vibration section.

Step 3. Tap Sound Effect, Sound quality and effects or Audio effects > Graphic Equalizer. Then, you can select the preset eq. Alternatively, you can drag the slider to customize an EQ perfect for most of your Apple Music songs.

Tips: If your Android device doesn't offer this feature, you can download and use third-party EQ apps from Google Play Store. In the following part, we will introduce some best Apple Music EQ. You can jump to Part 3 to learn more.

Part 2. What Is Best EQ for Apple Music on PC/Mac/Car/AirPods

Above are the steps to use equalizer for Apple Music. You may wonder what is the best EQ setting for Apple Music? In fact, it depends on your device and listening environment. Apple Music's built-in equalizer presets are convenient, but customizing EQ settings can deliver a more personalized audio experience. Below, we break down the top EQ options and how to use them effectively. Then, you can check the step-by-step guide above to adjust Apple Music EQ settings on all devices.

Best Apple Music EQ Presets

It is not a difficult task to tweak your Apple Music custom EQ. What is important is how to set the best equalizer settings for Apple Music as there are multiple presets here for you to choose from. These presets are designed by experts to match the taste and music style of most people. You can learn about the following important Apple Music EQ settings so that you can listen to Apple Music the way you like.

Bass Booster (For hip-hop/EDM/electronic): It boosts the bass and improves the overall sound. If used with bass headphones, you can fully immerse yourself in the sound effects.

Flat (For a neutral sound): It can keep all frequencies at a balanced level equally. It helps you accurately monitor audio without any added coloration or distortion and makes a more natural and unaltered sound.

Vocal Booster/Spoken Word (For podcasts & spoken word): These presets boost the mid-range where voices sit, making speech clearer and easier to follow.

Rock (For rock & metal): The Rock preset usually bumps the lows and highs, giving that classic 'V-shape' sound that makes guitars and drums hit harder and feel more exciting.

Classical/Jazz (For classical & jazz): These presets aim for balance, adding a bit of warmth in the low-mids and clarity in the highs so the full range of these genres really comes through.

Pop/R&B (For pop & R&B): These usually give the mids a little boost to make vocals and main instruments pop, giving the music a clear and lively feel.

Acoustic (For acoustic & singer-songwriter music): This preset is great for singer-songwriter tunes or acoustic-heavy music. It adds clarity and warmth to the mids, making vocals and instruments like guitars and pianos shine, without letting the bass get muddy.

Treble Booster (For brighter and more detailed sound): If a song sounds dull, this preset boosts the highs to make cymbals and strings sparkle, giving the music more brightness and 'air'.

Best Custom EQ for Apple Music on PC/Mac

Creating a custom EQ in Apple Music allows you to fine-tune frequencies to suit your unique taste. Yet, it is available on Mac and Windows computer. If you're new to such sound settings, below is a simple and quick explanation on Apple Music Equalizer panel for your reference:

To get started, you should know what each frequency slider on the Apple Music EQ controls:

💡Low Frequencies (32 - 400 Hz): This is the entire bass range, covering the deep sub-bass rumble you feel (32-100 Hz) to the main bass. This will provide warmth and fullness to the track (100-400 Hz).

• Boosting these sliders is great for bass-heavy genres like Hip-Hop or EDM. This gives the sound more power and impact
• Cutting these frequencies can reduce muddiness if the bass feels overwhelming, boomy, or muddy.

💡Mid Frequencies (400 - 2 kHz): The midrange affects vocal clarity and the fullness of instruments like guitars and pianos reside. It gives the music its main body and character.

• Boosting these frequencies highlights vocals and melodic instruments, ideal for acoustic or vocal-centric music. That is because it can highlight the singer's voice and the main melody.
• Cutting here can help reduce harshness in crowded mixes.

💡Upper-Mid Frequencies (2 kHz - 6 kHz): This range determines the presence and clarity of the music. It helps the vocals, cymbals and snare drum stand out in the mix.

• Boosting these frequencies to add aggression to electric guitars and make vocals sound more clear and upfront.
• Reducing these frequencies can soften the sound if it feels too sharp or vocals sound nasal.

💡High Frequencies (6 kHz - 20 kHz): This range adds sparkle, brightness and airiness to a track, making the sound crisp and airy.

• Boosting these frequencies is excellent for genres like Classical or Pop, where you want to emphasize clarity and create a sense of open space.
• Reducing high frequencies if the sound is too sharp or if you notice excessive 'sss' sounds (sibilance) in the vocals.

Then, you can create the best custom EQ for Apple Music based on your music genre and your own preferences. After you adjusted the frequency sliders you like in the Equalizer window, you can click the dropdown menu and select Make Preset. After that, you can name it and save your custom setting for future use.

Below is some collections of Apple Music Equalizer settings for different music genre. You can take it as a reference. If you have some Apple Music EQ with best sound, please share your settings at the comment below!

Best EQ for Apple Music in Car

Apart from streaming Apple Music songs on a mobile or desktop, many music lovers prefer to streaming Apple Music in a car. A suitable Apple Music equalizer settings for those devices will take you to an awesome auricular spectacular. Without further ado, let's see which is the best Apple Music EQ settings for cars.

For optimal sound in your car, use the Rock or Loudness presets. These enhance clarity and bass for better acoustics in confined spaces. Alternatively, a custom EQ with slightly elevated bass and mid frequencies can reduce low-frequence and road noise and improve vocal detail.

Recommended Apple Music EQ for Car:

• Rock: This is the best starting preset. It will boost the low-end (bass) and high-end (treble). The extra bass blocks out road noise, and the brighter highs make sure things like cymbals and vocals sound clear and crisp.
• Bass Booster: If you're into bass-heavy music like Hip-Hop or EDM and feel the bass fades on the go, this is an easy way to add some extra kick to your tracks.
• Loudness: This preset makes music sound fuller at low volume by adding some extra bass and treble. It keeps things balanced without cranking it up, making it great for podcasts or casual listening.

View Also: How to Play Apple Music on Tesla

Best EQ for Apple Music AirPods/AirPods Pro/AirPods Max

AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max usually sound best with the EQ set to Off (Flat). That way, Apple's built-in tech, like Adaptive EQ, can adjust the sound for your ears in real time. If you want the most accurate, 'as the artist intended' experience, keeping the EQ flat is the way to go.

But if you'd rather tweak the sound to match your taste or a certain genre, some EQ presets pair really well with the AirPods' sound profile.

For AirPods and AirPods Pro, the Pop preset works well for most genres, offering a balanced sound. To maximize spatial audio effects, try Hip-Hop for bass or customize settings to boost mid and high frequencies for enhanced clarity and immersion.

Recommended Apple Music EQ with AirPods/Other Headsets:

• Pop (For a subtle and all-round enhancement): This preset lightly boosts the bass and treble, giving your music a livelier, more exciting feel without changing its overall vibe. It's a great 'set it and forget it' option that works well for almost any genre.
• Hip-Hop or Bass Booster (For deeper and more impactful bass): AirPods already have solid bass, but these presets take it up a notch. The Hip-Hop preset not only adds bass but also brightens the highs, so vocals pop and the sound feels more dynamic. If you're after pure low-end power for EDM or trap, the Bass Booster preset brings the heavy thump.
• Vocal Booster (For maximum vocal clarity or podcasts): If vocals tend to get buried in loud rock songs or you're big on podcasts, this preset is a winner. It boosts the mid-range so voices stand out and are way easier to hear.
• Late Night (For listening at low volumes): This preset evens out the sound by making quiet parts louder and loud parts softer. It's great for late-night listening since you'll catch every detail without cranking the volume and bothering anyone.

Part 3. 5 More Best Apple Music Equalizers for Android/iPhone/iPad

Though the built-in Apple Music equalizer is great for EQ settings, some users still want more control. So, in this part, we'd like to introduce some third-party tools for you.

3.1 Equalizer FX: Bass Booster App (iOS)

It is the best Apple Music EQ app for iPhone and iPad. With its powerful 7-band equalizer and dynamic bass tuning features, you can quickly create your own custom presets. It also includes a bass booster and loudness enhancer to adjust the sound effects of your music to suit your preferences. You can also use the audio filters to modify the frequency envelope of the sound and enhance the stereo effect.

3.2 Boom: Music Player & Equalizer (Android & iOS)

It is one of the best bass boosters and equalizer apps for Android and iOS. With a customizable 16-band equalizer, 3D surround sound, and hand-crafted presets, you can immerse yourself in your favorite music and crossfade Apple Music. You can also create your own custom presets to enjoy music the way you want. It also allows you to listen to music from the Tidal streaming service or store on Dropbox and Google Drive.

3.3 Equalizer+ Pro: HD Music Player (Android & iOS)

Equalizer+ is an all-in-one music player, equalizer, and bass enhancer. With this Equalizer for Apple Music, you can mix, edit, and customize the sound of your tracks to get the best music listening experience. You can adjust the volume and give more depth to your tracks with the 7-band equalizer, as well as 10 equalizer presets based on the music genre.

3.4 Music Volume EQ (Android)

It is an equalizer, bass enhancer, and virtualizer for Android devices. It can also be used as a music player for your phone to play your music with 3D effects. Configured with a 5-band equalizer, it can boost audio, adjust bass and treble levels, and create custom sound profiles to suit your preferences.

3.5 Flat Equalizer: Bass Booster and Volume Booster (Android)

Flat Equalizer provides you with an equalizer, a bass booster, a volume booster and a virtualizer. For best sound results, it is recommended to connect this application with headphones or speakers to feel the best sound quality. Its outstanding features are the 5-band equalizer controller and the surround sound effects. You can enrich your music collection with presets covering various music genres.

Part 4. How to Set Equalizer for Apple Music Without Problem

When you try to apply the above equalizer app to set up Apple Music, you may encounter some issues. It is because Apple music is copy-protected and cannot be used on unauthorized devices. To set an equalizer for Apple Music on more devices, you should convert Apple Music to a common format in order to set up EQ without any obstacles.

Here, we come across AudFree Apple Music Converter, which is dedicated to removing encryption from Apple Music. It can convert Apple Music songs to MP3, AIFF, Lossless, M4A, M4B, WAV and FLAC. It will run at 17X faster speed, while the output audio quality and ID3 tags are retained. Then you can effectively apply the desired Apple Music EQ settings to the converted songs.

How to Download Apple Music Losslessly to EQ on More Devices

Here are two preparatory things that are needed to be done first:

1) Install the AudFree Apple Music Converter by clicking the above Download button;
2) Have an existing Apple Music account.

Once done, you can refer to the following user guide to convert Apple Music to unprotected MP3 or other types of files.

Step 1Import Apple Music to AudFree Auditior

Open AudFree Apple Music Converter, and log in to your Apple Music account. After that, find and click on the audio content you want. Later, the 'add music' icon at the right side will be activate. Just click on it and then click 'Add to list' to load Apple Music files for converting.

Step 2Customize Output Format for Apple Music

You now need to customize the output format so that you can set EQ on all Apple Music equalizers. To do this, touch the menu icon > Preferences to open the Preferences window. There, tap Conversion and you can choose an output format for exporting your Apple Music locally. Next, you can opt to change Apple Music's bitrate, sample rate, audio channels, and more output parameters for higher-quality audio.

View also: How to Convert Apple Music to M4A

Step 3Convert Songs Locally for Equalizing Apple Music Anywhere

Once you have customized the Apple Music output format, it is time to remove the protection. Go to the Converting section from the top menu bar, then click on the bottom-right 'Convert' button to commence the conversion process. Then tap Converted and click on the bottom File icon to find the Apple Music conversions on your computer's local drive. Once done, you can set EQ on all Apple Music to your most preferred presets without any further problem.

Part 5. How to Fix Apple Music Equalizer Not Working

Many users complain that they need to activate the EQ feature on Apple Music once they play the next songs over and over, which is annoying. Some factors may play a role in the problem, such as unpaired headphones, outdated versions of the Apple Music app and the device software, etc. You can try the following workarounds to resolve this issue:

1) Make Sure that You Have Enabled Equalizer: First, please check if you have activated the equalizer feature in the Apple Music or iTunes app on your device. If not, turn it on.

2) Update to the Latest Version of Apple Music and Device: It can prevent you from encountering unknown bugs and glitches.

3) Repair Headphones: Please make sure you have connected your headphones to your device correctly.

4) Change into Other Headphones: If the above method makes no sense, it indicates there is a problem with your headphones. Please try switching to another compatible pair of headphones.

5) Use the AirPlay from the Computer's Volume Control: If you are listening to Apple Music with smart speakers, please ensure that you connect the AirPlay from the volume control of your computer instead of using the AirPlay menu inside Apple Music.

6) Try the Top 5 Best Equalizer Apps for Apple Music: If those fixes above are of no avail, please give the third-party Apple Music equalizers a shot.

Part 6. FAQs about Equalizer for Apple Music

Q1: How to Turn Up Bass on Apple Music?

A: On iPhone, you can tap Settings > Music > EQ > Increase Bass to turn up Bass on Apple Music. However, you cannot adjust Bass to a certain frequency. On Android/Mac/PC, you can turn up Bass on Apple Music at the Equalizer panel by dragging the slider.

Q2: What Is The Loudest EQ on Apple Music?

A: Among the presets of Equalizer for Apple Music, Late Night, Bass Booster, or Loudness can increase the Apple Music volume by boosting the bass and treble. If you're Apple Music volume is low, you can try these methods on this guide to make Apple Music louder.

Q3: Where Is the Apple Music Equalizer on an iPhone or iPad?

A: It is not in the Apple Music app. You need to get it on your device's Settings > Music > EQ section.

Q4: Why Is the Apple Music EQ Option Greyed Out?

A: If you use AirPlay to stream music, you may get this issue. So, you can just stop using AirPlay.

Q5: What Is the Best Apple Music EQ Setting for Bass?

A: If you want serious low-end punch, go with the Bass Booster preset. If you want the bass plus clearer vocals and a more dynamic sound, the Hip-Hop preset is the way to go.

Part 7. Bottom Line

In short, you can follow this article to adjust Apple Music EQ settings. Also, here are the 5 best Equalizer for Apple Music with unique features. They enable you to fully explore your fills and change your musical journey to a different level.

However, mishaps can happen that prevent you from getting that perfect sound. That's where AudFree Apple Music Converter comes into play. With it, you can convert Apple Music to local files in various formats and listen to Apple Music offline. This way, you can set Apple Music on all EQs for any devices you desire.