A no-frills list of the top 5 EQ apps to enhance your audio experience on Android devices.
| Name | Price | Equalizer Type | Number of Presets | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poweramp Equalizer Best All-Rounder | Free / $1.99 | Parametric | N/A | DOWNLOAD |
| Music Volume EQ+ Best Free | Free | Graphic | 9 | DOWNLOAD |
| Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer Best for Audio Immersion | $4.99 | Graphic | 22 | DOWNLOAD |
| Wavelet Best for Audiophiles | Free / $5.49 | Graphic | 3300 | DOWNLOAD |
| Neutralizer Best for People with Hearing Problems | Free / $5 | Parametric | N/A | DOWNLOAD |
How to Pick the Best Android Equalizer App
Most Android devices give users the ability to tinker with audio frequencies using their built-in equalizers. Yet, these built-in equalizers are often quite limited and do not allow users to truly customize their audio experience.
In contrast, third-party audio equalizer apps offer greater flexibility to tailor the sound output all across the audio frequency spectrum.
Picking the right EQ app is not straightforward, though. You must consider factors such as compatibility with your streaming platform or how much freedom you have to customize the sound to your liking.
We’ve tested out several Android EQ apps and put together our top 5 picks on the Play Store.
Before getting into our list, let’s take a closer look at the most important factors to consider when selecting the right EQ app:
Is it compatible with your streaming platform?
Third-party EQ apps need access to the audio file source to function optimally. Fortunately, these apps can work with files stored locally without much trouble.
However, not all EQ apps can work with files in cloud storage or streaming platforms, as the latter may add a layer of Digital Rights Management (DRM). DRM prevents unauthorized access and modification of a platform’s digital content, which includes applying equalizer effects.
Therefore, when picking an EQ app, you must ensure it is compatible with your streaming platform of choice. For example, Qobuz offers 24-bit Hi-res audio files which are DRM-free.
On the other hand, Spotify discontinued third-party app integrations last year. So, your best bet to improve audio quality is to try out the top Spotify equalizer settings.
File support
Audio files are stored on your device in a compressed digital format, which can be divided into two categories: lossless and lossy.
Lossless formats, such as FLAC and ALAC, do not lose any information from the master audio file during the compression process. As a result, they offer higher-quality audio. However, these files are rather large.
On the other hand, lossy formats lose some information during the compression process, resulting in lower-quality audio. Audio files in this format, like MP3 and AAC, are easy to store and ideal for online streaming.
When picking an EQ app, you must ensure it supports the audio file format. Some apps do not support lossless audio files since they require more storage space and additional software support.
Paid vs. free apps
If you’ve been looking for an EQ app for a while, you may have noticed that most apps are not free. When opting for a paid app, you can either expect to make a direct one-time payment or sign up for a subscription-based model.
Even most free-to-download apps have a paid version, which contains premium features. Whether you decide to opt for the paid version is a subjective call and depends on whether you think the additional features are worth the money. You may even find that the free version adequately meets your needs.
Equalizer types and capacity
The type of equalizer and its capacity can determine how much control and flexibility you have over the audio output.
Equalizer apps have two main types of EQ: Graphic and Parametric.
- Graphic EQ tools have multiple sliders and allow you to cut (reduce) or boost (increase) several pre-defined frequency bands. However, they do not allow you to change the bandwidth or center frequency.
- Parametric EQ tools give users far more flexibility. They have dedicated controls for frequency, gain, and bandwidth allowing you to make more precise audio adjustments.
If you’re looking for greater control over audio customization, you should opt for an app with a parametric EQ. We also recommend learning about the best equalizer settings, depending on your choice of activity.
Presets
Most EQ apps offer preset configurations as a quick and convenient way to enhance sound quality. These apps allow users to select a preset configuration that automatically applies to the audio output.
Generally, presets are based on genres of music, such as hip-hop and R&B, or focus on enhancing specific effects, such as bass or vocals.
An important thing to note here is that a single preset may only be ideal for some situations. For example, a bass-boosting preset can enhance your music experience but might not be optimal when listening to an audiobook.
Therefore, if you prefer to switch up your EQ settings based on your listening activity, you should pick an app that offers multiple presets.
Sometimes a preset may not provide the exact configuration you seek. In that case, setting up your own EQ preset is ideal. Doing so is especially helpful if you prefer to tweak your EQ settings more often. We recommend picking an app that allows users to create and save multiple customized presets.
5 Best Android Equalizer Apps in 2023
Poweramp Equalizer
Key features
- Price: Free/$1.99 (one-time payment)
- Free Trial: 30 days
- EQ Type: Parametric EQ up to 32 Bands
- Number of Presets: 19
- Compatibility: Local and Cloud storage, media players, and streaming services (might have to grant extra permissions and add code to the command-line).
- Size: 13.48 MB
- Additional Features: Set presets for each headphone model or speaker, Advanced Player Tracking, Visualization
The Poweramp Equalizer stands out because it allows you to completely customize your audio experience.
For starters, it has a wide range of customization controls. Users can add up to 32 configurable bands to the parametric EQ. It also allows you to manually adjust the bass (20Hz – 250Hz) and treble (5kHz – 15kHz) frequencies.
Once you figure out the best EQ customization for you, you can also save your own presets, which can be applied as defaults to a number of audio outputs, such as their device speakers, wired headphones, Bluetooth headsets, and Chromecast.
Linking the Poweramp equalizer with your storage, media player, and streaming service is also easy, as it automatically detects known media players.
Finally, the optional Visualization setting adds another element to your audio experience. It generates colors and movement patterns on the screen that correspond with the audio you’re listening to.
Despite all the perks, one drawback is that the Parametric EQ interface appears cluttered, which may confuse beginners. Luckily, you have time to study and get used to this for free as you get access to all of the Poweramp features for one month.
DOWNLOAD POWERAMP EQUALIZER HERE
Music Volume EQ+
Key features
- Price: Free
- EQ Type: Graphic EQ with 5 bands
- Number of Presets: 9
- Compatibility: Apple Music, Spotify, local & cloud storage
- Size: 25.27 MB
- Additional Features: Volume boost, bass boost.
Music Volume EQ+ is a solid choice for anyone looking for a completely free equalizer app.
There’s plenty to like about Music Volume EQ+: it is easy to use, offers audio-enhancing features such as volume and bass boost, and works with most streaming services!
Along with a 5-band Graphic EQ ranging from 60 Hz to 14 kHz, the Music Volume EQ+ offers 9 EQ presets. Users can also create and save custom presets.
However, the Music Volume EQ+ app has limited customization capabilities. It does not give the user room to tweak the lower mids, high mids, and presence. We would not recommend it to anyone seeking greater control over their audio.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a way to increase the volume on your device or you care about bass over everything else, the Music Volume EQ+ is well worth a shot.
DOWNLOAD MUSIC VOLUME EQ+ HERE
Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer
Key features
- Price: $4.99/6 months
- Free Trial: 7 days
- EQ Type: Graphic EQ w/ 8 & 16 bands
- Number of Presets: 22
- Compatibility: TIDAL, Spotify, local & cloud storage
- Size: 49.28 MB
- Additional Features: 3D surround sound, 60,000+ radio stations, 30,000+ podcasts, Boom’s native music and video library, System FX
The Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer prides itself on creating an immersive audio experience for the user because of its patented surround sound technology that works on any pair of headphones.
Boom’s 3D Speaker technology makes it seem like the sound is coming from seven different directions or speakers. Users can play around with this feature by turning on/off any of the speakers.
When you fire up Boom for the first time, the app will walk you through its capabilities and inquire about your headset of choice (earbuds, headphones, wired, Bluetooth, etc.). It will then apply presets that best suit the user from the get-go.
Boom has an 8/16-band Graphic EQ, allowing users to customize audio frequencies between 60 Hz and 12 kHz. It also offers meters for intensity, tempo, bass boost, and pitch.
While the app is a complete audio ecosystem in itself with its own Boom Music and Video Library, users can also tune in to over 60,000 radio stations from most countries in the world.
Boom also offers in-app integration with TIDAL, including cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and pCloud.
Boom EQ is also compatible with Spotify but may not work with other streaming services (such as Apple Music). However, you can toggle on Boom System FX to override your phone and enhance audio from other apps. The System FX is more limited, though, as it only has a 5-band Graphic EQ offering frequencies from 60Hz to 14 kHz.
DOWNLOAD BOOM: BASS BOOSTER & EQUALIZER HERE
Wavelet
Key features
- Price: Free/$5.49
- Free Trial: NA
- EQ Type: Graphic EQ w/ 9 bands
- Number of Presets: 3300
- Compatibility: Spotify, local files
- Size: 6.95 MB
- Additional Features: Auto-EQ presets for 3,000+ headphones, bass tuner, reverberation, virtualizer
Wavelet is known for its extensive library of presets tailored to individual headphones. Its built-in auto-EQ capability works on over 3,000 different devices. This function measures and adjusts frequencies in line with the Harman curve to improve sound quality.
Users can play around with the headphone presets using the 9-band Graphic EQ, which lets you customize frequencies between 75 Hz and 19.2 kHz. Wavelet also offers audio improvement features such as a bass tuner, reverberation, and virtualizer.
Another positive is that you do not have to grant special permissions, i.e., root your device, for Wavelet to access stored audio files.
We also found that the app works perfectly with Spotify.
The free version comes with auto-EQ, legacy mode, and graphic equalizer features.
However, you will have to pay the $5.49 price to unlock effects such as reverberation, virtualizer, and bass tuner.
The small app size is a bonus for those with device memory constraints.
Neutralizer
Key features
- Price: Free/$5
- Free Trial: NA
- EQ Type: Parametric EQ
- Number of Presets: NA
- Compatibility: Apple Music, Spotify, other streaming services, local and cloud storage
- Size: 5.90 MB
- Additional Features: Creates unique sound profiles for users
Neutralizer is unlike any other app on our list as it focuses on finding the right sound for you. Quite literally.
Here’s how: It conducts a sound test on new users, where it plays sounds at varying frequencies. The user then selects frequencies according to their hearing, allowing the app to generate a unique sound profile.
Neutralizer is the perfect app for people with hearing problems, or those who are not confident with manually adjusting audio frequencies.
The app is compatible with popular streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. It also works with audio files stored locally or on the cloud.
The free version allows you to create one sound profile. The paid app, which costs $5, will let you make as many as you like. Having more than one sound profile is necessary, especially for those who regularly use different audio devices, such as speakers and headphones.
Neutralizer and Wavelet is what I use on my phone together with SoundID , Neutralizer is a great tool to tame the occasional odd performing piece of earphones really good
Where can I find this T-shirt and vest with the equalizer design?
Poweramp equalizer is 5.49 on the Google Play Store once the 30 day trial is up. Where did the 1.99 price come from?
I think there’s a better app, and that’s it RootlessJamesDSP.
+1
I’ve been using Neutralizer for years now. I like the concept of creating a sound profile for each of your devices based on their speaker’s actual performance.
Apart from developement being discontinued, I’ve only had the app shut down (and resurrect itself) in the background when trying to listen to music and play a game at the same time on my old phone. Not on newer devices, even though the Play Store informed me, it’s been developed for an older Android version.