Transform Your Streaming Experience With In-App Audio Adjustments
When it comes to enjoying music, podcasts, or any form of audio content, having the right headphones is only part of the equation. To truly elevate your listening experience, fine-tuning the audio settings within your favourite streaming service is essential. Many users overlook this step, resulting in audio output that feels average—even with premium audio equipment. Fortunately, with a few simple tweaks, you can transform your audio quality from standard to sensational.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the audio settings of popular streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. We'll also introduce a few services that deliver top-tier audio quality straight out of the box. Whether you're an audiophile or just looking to improve your daily listening, these tips will help you get the most out of your audio setup.
Spotify: Boosting Bass and Treble for Richer Sound
Spotify remains one of the most popular streaming services worldwide, and for good reason. It offers an intuitive interface, expansive music library, and customisable audio settings. One of Spotify’s standout features is its built-in equalizer, allowing you to fine-tune the intensity of bass, treble, and more. By adjusting these settings, you can achieve crisper treble and deeper, more resonant bass—perfect for genres ranging from classical to hip-hop.
How to Adjust the Equalizer on Spotify
On iPhone:
Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
Select Settings and Privacy.
Tap Playback.
Enable the Equalizer and adjust the settings to your preference.
On Android:
Open the Spotify app.
Tap the gear icon to access Settings.
Select Playback.
Enable the Equalizer and experiment with the sliders.
Spotify also offers preset options for different genres, allowing you to switch between sound profiles easily. Whether you prefer the thumping bass of EDM or the balanced tones of acoustic tracks, there’s likely a preset that suits your needs.
Apple Music: Embrace Lossless Audio for Superior Sound
Apple Music offers a fantastic feature called Lossless Audio, designed to deliver music as the artists intended. Lossless Audio preserves all the subtle details of a track, which are often lost during standard streaming. This feature can significantly improve your listening experience, particularly if you're using high-quality headphones or audio equipment.
How to Enable Lossless Audio on Apple Music
On iPhone:
Open Settings on your device.
Select Music.
Tap Audio Quality.
Toggle on Lossless Audio.
On Android:
Open the Apple Music app.
Tap More, then go to Settings.
Select Audio Quality.
Enable Lossless.
When streaming over mobile data, keep an eye on your data usage, as Lossless Audio files are significantly larger than standard audio files.
Amazon Music: Stream at the Best Available Quality
Amazon Music may not offer extensive customisation options like Spotify or Apple Music, but it still allows you to maximise audio quality. The Best Available setting ensures that you're always listening to the highest quality audio that your connection can support. This feature is ideal for those who want improved sound quality without manually adjusting equalizer settings.
How to Set Audio Quality to Best Available on Amazon Music
Open the Amazon Music app.
Tap the settings cog in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings.
Select Streaming Audio Quality.
Choose Best Available.
Keep in mind that streaming at the highest quality may affect buffering times, particularly when using mobile data. This can vary based on your network provider and the overall demand in your area.
Streaming Services with Automatic High-Quality Audio
If manually adjusting audio settings sounds like too much hassle, there are streaming services that deliver exceptional audio quality by default. These services are ideal for users who want a premium listening experience without the need for fine-tuning.
Qobuz: High-Resolution Audio for Classical Music Lovers
Qobuz is a streaming service created by classical music enthusiasts, but it offers a vast library across all genres. All music tracks on Qobuz are provided in CD quality or higher, offering a significant step up from the MP3 quality of most mainstream services. If you're seeking uncompromised audio quality with minimal effort, Qobuz is a strong contender.
Tidal: Master-Quality Audio Straight to Your Ears
Tidal is another streaming service that prioritises sound quality. With its Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tracks, Tidal ensures that listeners receive studio-quality audio. The service offers audio quality at CD level and above, perfect for discerning listeners who want to enjoy their favourite tracks in the best possible format.
Final Thoughts
Enhancing your audio experience doesn't necessarily mean investing in new hardware. Sometimes, a simple adjustment to your streaming service's settings can make all the difference. Whether you prefer to customise every aspect of your sound profile or enjoy high-quality audio right out of the box, there are options to suit your preferences.
So go ahead—dive into your streaming app's settings, experiment with audio options, and rediscover your favourite music in richer, fuller quality. Your ears will thank you!
