A hidden YouTube Music setting can make cheap earbuds sound better

YouTube Music has a built-in equalizer that can make cheap earbuds sound noticeably better. It is tucked away in the settings, so many listeners have never seen it. Android Police writer Tom Bedford, who tests earbuds often, says it can fix common problems with lower-cost pairs without spending a cent.

What it is and where to find it

An equalizer, or EQ, lets you turn certain parts of the sound up or down. That means more or less bass, middle tones (mids) and high tones (treble). Many earbuds offer one in their own app, but not all do. In YouTube Music, tap your profile icon in the upper-right corner of the home screen. Then go to Settings, Playback, then Equalizer.

There are several presets with self-explanatory names. There is also a Custom option with a nine-band equalizer. The left side controls the lowest sounds and the right side controls the highest. Bass is on the left and treble is on the right. The EQ only changes music in YouTube Music. It does not change how regular YouTube sounds.

Three common problems and fixes

• Tinny and thin: lower the treble, then add some bass, testing after each change.
• Too boomy or muddy: leave the treble alone and dial back the bass and some mids.
• V-shaped sound with weak mids: reduce bass and treble first, then raise the mids.

Bedford describes tinny sound as a lack of bass paired with boosted, thin-sounding treble. He says many makers hide weak drivers, the small speakers inside earbuds, with extra bass. A V-shaped sound boosts bass and treble over the mids. It feels punchy but can lose detail in the middle and make some songs sound phony.

What to do

Start with the presets. They may solve the problem without any fiddling. If not, use Custom and move the sliders a point or two at a time. Play familiar songs between changes. Small steps help avoid overdoing it, which can make earbuds sound worse. Bedford notes the right mix depends on the earbuds, so some trial and error is normal.

What it will not fix

The EQ only helps if sound quality is the issue. Bedford says premium earbuds can offer other things, and the EQ will not help with how long a pair lasts. It also only works inside YouTube Music, so other apps will sound the same as before.