Apple Music is the audio-streaming platform of choice for millions of users worldwide. It boasts an extensive library of music, podcasts, and other audio-based content. Using EQ with Apple Music can provide you with a better sound quality and listening experience.
What is the best EQ setting for Apple Music?
This depends on several factors. For example, if you’re listening to Apple Music on low-quality headphones or speakers, increasing the bass frequency bands using EQ and reducing some of the treble frequencies will achieve a better balance.
Adjusting EQ is an effective way to improve the sound of your speakers or headphones.
It’s also a very easy tool to use and can be tweaked in real-time so that you can monitor the results it has on the sound of the audio being played from Apple Music.
The best EQ settings for Apple Music will vary for every person depending on the speakers, monitors, or headphones they prefer to use, and the way that they prefer their music to sound. In this guide, we’ll explain how you can identify the best-suited EQ settings for your preferences and equipment.
What is EQ in Apple Settings?
EQ, or equalization, is a tool that has been used to make music sound better for many decades. It works by reducing or increasing the prominence of specific groups of sound frequencies, which are commonly known as frequency bands so that the overall tone can be altered.
Most playback devices have built-in EQ, but some are more detailed and effective than others. Apple Music is equipped with an equalizer that is very easy to use, compared to most other streaming services and digital devices. However, many users don’t even know it exists, and consequently, they never get to experience its potential benefits.
The EQ found in the Apple device’s setting is fairly basic, but it does the job that is required of it. If you’ve ever used EQ in a DAW when mixing or editing audio, don’t expect to find the same level of detail or capabilities with the onboard equalizer that can be used with Apple Music.
Rather than allowing you to manually adjust the volume of specific frequencies, the Apple EQ includes a total of 22 presets that you can choose from to achieve the best sound possible.
This may be frustrating if you’re experienced at using EQ and would like to be very specific with the frequencies that are adjusted using the tool.
However, for those who are simply looking for a quick way to improve the overall sound of the audio played through Apple Music, having an abundance of presets to choose from is helpful.
Each of the 22 presets is descriptively labeled so that you can quickly test them out to see whether they produce the sound that you’re looking for.
In the table below, you can find ten of the best presets that are currently available when using the Apple EQ.
| Apple EQ Preset | Description |
| Bass Booster | Increases bass tones and lower-midrange |
| Classical | Slight increase in bass, lower-midrange, and treble |
| Deep | Increases bass tones slightly and lowers treble tones |
| Hip-Hop | Increases bass tones, lowers |
| Loudness | Increases all frequencies, but mainly bass |
| Pop | Lowers bass slightly raises mids and lowers trebles |
| R&B | Increases the bass tones, lower mids, and treble |
| Rock | Increases bass and treble tones |
| Small Speakers | Increases the bass, and lower mids lower upper mids, and treble |
| Treble Booster | Increases upper mids and treble |
How to Use EQ in Apple Music
Using EQ in Apple Music is relatively straightforward. Firstly, you’ll need to go into the settings of your iPhone, iPad, or another Apple-made device. You can find the EQ feature in the music menu in the device’s settings.
You’ll then be presented with the 22 presets that are included in the Apple Music EQ tool. The one that will work best for you will depend on the headphones or speakers that you intend to use when listening to audio through Apple Music.
Here’s a YouTube video on Apple EQ settings.
When you select one of the presets, this will cause the EQ settings to be applied to any audio which is then applied through Apple Music. The EQ settings will not be applied to any other audio played from a different app or web page.
To use the Apple Music EQ most effectively, you can select a preset which describes the sound you’re looking for. For example, you can choose the bass booster preset to increase the prominence of low-end frequencies, then open Apple Music, and play a song through your headphones or speakers.
If the EQ setting that you’ve chosen isn’t producing the sound you’re looking for, you can then go back to the EQ settings, select a different option, and see whether this improves the sound coming through your playback device.
Eventually, you’ll likely find the EQ settings that work best for the speakers or headphones that you are using with Apple Music.
You can then take note of this setting so that you can use it in the future, or leave it on permanently in the EQ settings.
This process of trial and error is the best way to determine the ideal EQ setting for your Apple Music playback.
Should You Use Apple Music EQ?
If you don’t like the sound that your headphones, earbuds, or speakers produce, then you should consider using Apple Music EQ to improve it. If you’re happy with the sound, then there’s no need to change the EQ settings. As the old saying goes, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!”.
The chances are that if you’re reading this guide, you’re not happy with the sound that you’re getting when using Apple Music. If this is the case, you will benefit from going through the various presets to see whether they offer any improvements. If they don’t it might be worth using another EQ app or upgrading your headphones.
Headphones and speakers vary dramatically in terms of the sound they produce. Some are deliberately tuned to make the bass frequencies more prominent, while others sound hash due to overly powerful treble frequencies.
Using Apple Music EQ can improve the sound that comes out of your speakers and headphones to an extent, but its effectiveness will be limited if the playback devices you use aren’t very good.
Therefore, it might be worth considering investing in a better set of headphones, earbuds, or speakers if you find that adjusting the EQ settings doesn’t provide you with the improvements you were hoping for.
With so many headphone and speaker manufacturers out there today, you can find a good quality playback device for an affordable price. It may be worth considering upgrading if you’re serious about achieving the best audio quality when using Apple Music.
Does Apple Music EQ Use Extra Data?
If you use Apple Music to play audio that hasn’t been downloaded to your device, and you are not currently connected to WiFi, then it will use data. Due to the 256kbps maximum streaming quality, Apple Music uses around 5 MB of data in three minutes, at the most.
Using the Apple Music EQ settings will not increase the amount of data that is used by the app. EQ requires no internet connection, as the settings are applied directly from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
If you’re concerned about data usage when streaming on Apple Music, the best way to avoid this is by downloading all of the songs and audio content that you like to listen to regularly to the offline memory storage of your device.
You can download all of the audio files to your Apple device while being connected to Wi-Fi so that you’re not eating into your data when downloading the files. Then, when you play them, the songs won’t use any data at all, and you can even enjoy the music when you don’t have an internet connection.
Which EQ Setting is the Loudest for Apple Music?
The various settings in the Apple Music EQ tools won’t make the audio louder, but some of them make it appear louder by boosting frequencies that can be heard through headphones or speakers.
Treble booster is one of the most effective settings for making Apple Music seem louder, and the Dance setting also achieves this.
Related Questions
Does Apple Music EQ affect Spotify?
Changing the settings on Apple Music EQ will not alter the sound that is produced when using Spotify. The Apple Music EQ settings are exclusive to that streaming platform, and Spotify comes with its own EQ tool in the app.
Does Mac have an onboard EQ?
All Mac devices come with a built-in audio equalizer that can be used to alter the sound quality of music and other audio files. This EQ tool includes various presets that significantly impact the sound played from a Mac.
Is there an EQ in iTunes?
iTunes has an EQ tool which can be found in the view tab, under “Show Equalizer”. This EQ tool presents you with various settings and you can also adjust the dB of certain frequency bands manually.
