How to Give My Headphones More Bass? | Turn Up The Low End

Use the equalizer built into your phone or headphones to boost the low frequencies and give your music more punch.

Thin, flat sound is a common frustration, and the fix for weak bass on your headphones usually doesn’t require new gear. The fastest path to stronger low end is your device’s built-in equalizer or a companion app from the headphone maker, letting you shape the sound to your taste without spending a dime. If bass controls are missing, a dedicated EQ app can often fill the gap. For those ready to upgrade their hardware entirely, our roundup of cheap bass headphones tested by our team is a good place to start.

Use Your Phone’s Equalizer First

Your phone is the first place to look, since it’s the source of the audio signal. Both major mobile platforms offer system-level tools that can add weight to the low end.

On iPhone (iOS): Apple provides a built-in EQ within the Music app, but a more powerful tool is Headphone Accommodations. To find it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Turn it on, then choose a frequency tuning option under Tune Audio For. You can also adjust Soft sounds to fine-tune the effect. Apple notes that you can enable Phone and Media to apply these settings to calls and music playback. This feature works with supported Apple, Beats, and other Bluetooth headphones.

On Android: The operating system itself includes a low-frequency BassBoost audio effect at the API level. Google’s developer reference describes it as an effect that “boost[s] or amplif[ies] low frequencies.” Since it’s a system API, you might need a third-party EQ app from the Play Store to actually control it. Keep in mind that Android’s BassBoost is a single low-frequency band, not a full multi-band equalizer, so control is less precise than a dedicated EQ.

Use Your Headphones’ Companion App

For many premium and mid-range headphones, the maker’s official app gives you the best control, often with presets and user-adjustable bands that don’t alter the source audio. This is the route to take when your phone’s EQ feels too limited or you want a sound profile that travels with the headphones themselves.

Sony Headphones: Clear Bass in the Sound Connect App

Sony’s Sound Connect app is where you’ll find the most powerful bass control for supported models. The app includes a five-band equalizer plus a dedicated Clear Bass slider. Sony says raising Clear Bass increases the low end “for more bass without distorting the music.” The path is My Device > Settings > Sound > Equalizer. This setting is specifically engineered to add low end without the muddy, distorted artifacts you get from overdriving the driver.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones: EQ in the Bose Music App

For Bose QuietComfort models, the Bose Music App provides a straightforward equalizer. You’ll find it under EQ or Settings > Equalization. Bose offers three presets here: Flat EQ for a neutral response, Bass Boost to increase the low end, and Bass Reducer to tame it. Selecting Bass Boost is the simplest way to add weight to your sound in one tap.

What Causes Distortion And Other Mistakes To Avoid

The most common mistake is cranking the EQ to the maximum. Pushing bass levels too high overdrives the headphone driver, producing a clipped, muddy, and distorted sound. This is why Sony’s Clear Bass is designed to add bass “without distorting the music”—it’s balancing the low end against other frequencies, not just slamming the gain.

Another mistake is assuming a bass boost works on every device. Headphone Accommodations on iPhone requires supported headphones and won’t apply to every wired pair; Android’s BassBoost is often hidden behind a separate app. If bass still sounds weak after adjusting EQ, check that your headphones are properly seated—a poor seal on over-ears or in-ears robs you of the low end more than any setting can fix.

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