If you’re like most people, you probably use your headphones daily. Whether you’re streaming music or listening to a podcast, it’s essential to have headsets that produce clear sound quality. We’ll share some tips on how to make headphones sound better. Whether using in-ear buds or over-ear models, these tips will help you get the most out of your listening experience.

Sound source

The sound quality primarily depends on whether you listen to music, play games, or watch movies. Due to its technical characteristics, the source cannot produce a rich and detailed sound, so even the most expensive headphones will play flat and indistinct. However, you can fix this in most cases without a complete hardware replacement. You need to tweak some parameters. The sound quality of your headphones can be significantly improved by simply changing the audio settings on your devices.

Content

It is important to choose an exemplary service when streaming music. Some services, like Apple Music and Spotify, are very convenient. However, you should be aware that not all content is of the same quality. For example, Spotify uses the Ogg Vorbis codec up to 320 kb / s, Apple Music uses AAC up to 256 kb / s, and Deer uses the usual MP3 up to 320 kb / s. Please note that you can only compare bitrate within the same format. AAC 256 kb / s will be no worse than competitors with 320 kb / s. In any case, these are all so-called lossy compression formats.

Keep the driver clean

If you use in-ear headphones, it is important to clean them occasionally. Sulfur can get into the sound guide and affect the sound quality. The sound will become quieter and harder to understand. To clean the headphone jack, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. For cleaning the guide itself, use only soft materials. A toothpick is suitable for this purpose. Do not use sharp objects to avoid damaging the guide.

Use the correct ear pads or replace them

If you are listening to music and there is outside noise, it is important to have good sound insulation. If the headphones don’t fit tightly, you might not be able to hear all of the details in your favorite song. In-ear models must fit snugly in the ear canal, while over-ear headphones should cup the entire ear. If you can’t find model-specific ear pads, you can usually find generic ones that will work just as well.

Check the audio codec

The audio codec is responsible for compressing and decompressing digital audio data. The sound quality will suffer if it is outdated or has a low bitrate. To check the codec, go to the settings of your music player and look for the “Advanced” settings. In most cases, you can find the audio codec there. If changing the codec is impossible, try using a different music player.

Use a headphone amplifier

You should use a headphone amplifier to get the most out of your headphones. It is a device that increases the signal from the sound source and amplifies it. As a result, you get a richer and more detailed sound. Headphone amplifiers are available in both portable and desktop versions.

Consider a portable DAC/AMP

If you want to get the most out of your headphones, you should consider getting a portable DAC/AMP. A DAC (digital-to-analog converter) converts digital audio signals into analog ones. An AMP (amplifier) amplifies the signal so the headphones can reproduce it at a higher volume. As a result, a portable DAC/AMP can improve the sound quality of your headphones, even if they are not very good.

Use equalizer apps

If you want to fine-tune the sound of your music, you can use an equalizer app. These apps let you adjust the frequency response of your audio so that it sounds better to you. Several different equalizer apps are available, so be sure to find one you like.

Turn off sound enhancements

Some music players have sound enhancement features that can improve the sound quality of your headphones. However, these features can also make the sound worse. If you’re not happy with the sound of your headphones, try turning off all sound enhancements.

Use a headphone stand

If you want to keep your headphones in good condition, it’s a good idea to use a headphone stand. It will help to prevent the headphones from getting damaged or tangled. There are a number of different headphone stands available, so be sure to find one you like.

Reasons why Headphones are quiet

Blockage

Just like any other device, headphones need to be taken care of. They often get dusty and dirty, and the speakers can get clogged. Also, if one speaker is louder than the other, it probably means that the speaker is clogged and needs to be cleaned.

Violation of the integrity of contacts

The weakest part of the headphones is the plug. The headphone cable is constantly stressed when we fold it, bend it, turn it on and pull out the plug. It may cause extraneous noise, wheezing, and a decrease in the volume level of the speakers.

Wire break

The cable is fragile, so it doesn’t do well with mechanical stress. As a result, it can be damaged anywhere. However, if it looks like it’s damaged, you might not be able to see the damage. To check for damage, feel the cable along its entire length.

Water ingress

If you get wet or spill something on your device, dry it off quickly. If you don’t, the device might not work anymore.

Demagnetization

It is not a good option. If the speakers are demagnetized, you cannot fix the headphones. So you have to buy a new model. Usually, low-quality products, such as inexpensive Chinese-made gadgets, suffer from this “disease.” However, well-known manufacturers value their reputation, so their products have no such problems.