There are two types of smartphone users. Those that are not fond of headphone jack removal and those that don’t mind it all that much. We all know that a Bluetooth headset will never be able to replicate sound from good old wired headphones. Especially if the volume on Bluetooth earphones is too low and users can’t increase it above a certain point.
There’s seemingly a workaround for this that allows users to increase the volume of Bluetooth headphones. We made sure to share it with you below.
In order to protect users from potential hearing damage, Android’s limit on max volume is quite low for Bluetooth audio devices.
Now, before Android 7 Nougat, there were separate controls and thus separate volume sliders so users were able to go for the actual max volume on Bluetooth speakers or earphones.
After Android 7 was introduced, this option was gone. This, of course, wasn’t a major issue when the majority of headphones were wired. Today, however, we have a trend of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, and wireless headphones are taking over.
How do I increase the volume on my Bluetooth earphones?
And now, let’s get to the point of this article. How to synchronize the volume sliders and increase volume on Bluetooth speakers. The solution is rather simple, and it only requires accessing Developer options. Once there, you should disable the Absolute volume toggle.
After that, your Bluetooth volume and device volume controls will work separately. Not to mention that the limitations imposed by the Android system will be gone, so you’ll be able to max the volume at your own volition and to the full capabilities of your Bluetooth earphones or headphones.
If you are unsure how to access Developer options and disable the Absolute volume toggle, follow these instructions:
- Open Settings.
- Choose System.
- Open About phone.
- Locate the Build number and tap it 7 times in succession to enable Developer options.
- Now, you should see Developer options in Settings > System.
- Scroll down until you reach the Networking section.
- Once there, enable (toggle ON) the Disable absolute volume
option.
- Reboot your Android device and you should have more control over the volume of Bluetooth devices.
That’s it. If you need additional settings, like tweaking the equalizer, you can look into Sound settings. And for all of you advanced users with rooted devices, there are a few Magisk modules that might help with the audio output significantly.
Thank you for reading, if you want to discuss this article further, but also find more articles like this, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in December 2019. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.
Headphones for all your needs
Headphones have become a style statement in recent years. While most people choose them based on their music preferences, some try to match them with their clothing and lifestyle.
Be it just for fashion or for some real music, headphones play a key role in our lives. And when they don’t meet the expectations we have of them, we’re disappointed!
Just like any other electronic hardware device, headphones too can suffer a loss in performance, be it the sound quality, or volume. But I have some good news for you ー you can make your headphones louder and improve the sound quality to what they used to offer when new.
The chances are good that you have headphones that no longer offer the sound quality they used to. The ways I’m going to list in this article will surely help you get the most out of your worn-out headphones.
But before that, let’s take a quick look at the reasons why this happens.
Related:
8 Best Wireless Headphones on Amazon
Best Android Headphones, Earphones, and Earbuds on the Market
5 Best USB C Headphones to Buy
Why are your headphones quiet?
There are many reasons that cause a lowered sound performance in the headphones. To mention a few, wear and tear, and sound settings on mobile or desktop are the most common reasons.
Another factor that affects headphones sound quality is the impedance of the headphones. In simple terms, it is the resistance offered to the current transmitted by the amplifier.
Let’s make it simpler! You need to pick headphones with lower impedance as they require lower power to function, thus making them ideal for smartphones and laptops. Typically, you should choose headphones with impedance of 16 Ω or 32 Ω.
Higher impedance headphones need more power and an amplifier for them to function effectively. So make sure you get your impedance game right because it affects the loudness of the headphones. Check it on the headphones box or the user manual.
Moving on, let’s try a few ways to make your headphones louder.
Caution: A maximum of 60 to 85 decibels of sound exposure for eight hours a day is considered to be a safe limit. Anything beyond that can prove to be dangerous for you. So be cautious when using headphones at high volume.
Here are a few simple tricks you can try to make your headphones louder:
1. Time to clean up
It happens more often than not that the solution to a problem is right in front of us while we look for it elsewhere. The first thing you should do to make your headphones louder is to clean up your headphones.
If you are a frequent user of headphones, it’s highly likely that your headphones have built up dirt and ear wax. You can easily clean your headphones using ear swabs, rubbing alcohol, wiping cloth, blue tack, wax removal tool, water, and liquid soap.
Add the liquid soap to the water and give it a mix. If your headphones have removable pads, take them off. Now, with an ear swab dripped in the soap-water mixture, clean the hard-to-reach places and folds.
Now, clean the headphones with a dry cloth and let them air dry for around 30 minutes. Finally, put the removable pads back on and enjoy the music. You’ll notice a clear difference in the loudness your headphones offer.
Watch this video from Best Buy for more instructions on how to clean your headphones and wireless earbuds.
2. Check volume settings on your music app
Depending on the music streaming app, the playback sound may vary. You can change the default sound preferences of the music apps in the app settings.
For instance, you can change the audio quality on the Pandora app by following these steps.
- In the Pandora app, go to your profile.
- Tap Settings
- Select Advanced settings
- Select Audio quality and Downloads
- Toggle on the higher quality audio setting
Similarly, on Spotify, you can turn bass boost or surround sound experience under the Equalizer settings. By doing so, you can improve the sound quality of the headphones.
3. Check the device sound settings
If your headphones have an in-built amplifier or a sound setting, adjust it before we move ahead.
Now, on your Windows computer,
1. Right click the volume icon on the taskbar with your headphones connected to the device. Now, click on “Open Volume mixer.”
2. Under Device, click on the dropdown near the speakers and select your headphones.
3. Finally, move the volume slider up to increase the loudness of your headphones.
It was easy, wasn’t it?
Also read:
5 Best Skullcandy Wireless Earbuds with Reviews
3 Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
3 Best Sony Wireless Earbuds: Top Picks to Cut the Cord
4. Try a volume booster app
The Play Store is flooded with volume booster apps. These apps work in sync with the default system audio tools to give you the best sound experience. Following is a list of a few volume booster apps you can try right now:
- Volume booster for Android
- Volume booster GOODEV
- Extra volume booster
Beware, loud sound can be dangerous for your sense of hearing.
5. Check equalization settings
Equalization or EQ settings are set such that you get an ideal listening experience. You change the equalizer settings on your Android, follow these steps.
- Go to the Settings app on your Android phone
- Select Sound & vibration
- Next, select Advanced sound settings or Sound effects depending on the option available on your phone model
- Now, tap Equalizer. You’ll see the sound levels at different frequencies preset to 0dB.
- Here, you can change the genre to Rock, Jazz, pop, Classical, Hip Hop, and more for which the sound levels will be preset. Adjust them according to your preferences. For the default sound, move the equalizer slider up.
6. Disable volume limitations
Most Android phones offer a volume adjustment feature. This feature is by default set for a 30-year old’s auditory perception.
You can check this and adjust the volume according to your preference by following these steps.
- Go to Settings
- Select Sound & vibration
- Go to Sound effects
- Now, select Volume adjustment
- Turn the Volume adjustment toggle on and choose the system preset as per your age group
Also, most Samsung Galaxy devices come with a Media volume limiter. To disable it,
- Go to Settings
- Select Sounds and vibrations
- Select Volume
- FInally, select the Media volume limiter and turn the toggle off
7. Why not give these headphones a shot!
If all the above methods are not fruitful, you should seriously consider buying a new pair of headphones. Choosing the right headphones might be overwhelming but there are quite a few guides you can refer to for the same.
Depending on your preference, you can choose Bose or Sony headphones for noise cancellation, Sennheiser for excellent sound quality while still offering noise cancellation, or if you are tight on budget, boAt should be the ideal choice for you.
Check out these stunning Bose headphones on Amazon!
Suggested reads:
The 6 Best High-End Headphones For Audiophiles In 2020
10 Best Bluetooth Headphones with Reviews
9 Best Neckband Bluetooth Headphones To Buy
FAQs
How do I make my earbuds louder?
Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Sound effects > Volume adjustment. Set the right preset according your preferences. On Samsung Galaxy devices, under Sounds and vibrations in Settings, go to Volume and turn the Media volume limiter toggle off.
How do I make my headphones louder on Windows 10?
On your Windows 10 device, right click on the volume icon in the task bar. Now, select Open volume mixer and click on the dropdown near speakers. Select your headphones and turn the volume up.
Is there an app to boost volume in headphones?
Yes, there are a lots of volume booster apps on the Play Store. For instance, Volume booster for Android app not only works as a volume booster but also as a bass booster, speaker booster, and voice call audio booster among many more features.
Winding up!
Headphones’ performance tends to deteriorate with time but there are workarounds to improve the loudness and sound quality of the headphones. The above methods mentioned in the article are effective ways to improve the loudness of your beloved headphones.
If none of the tricks mentioned work for you, it’s high time you get a new pair of headphones based on your needs.
I hope this article brought some value to your headphones usage and audio experience. Which headphones have you been using? Did these tricks work for your headphones? Let me know in the comments section below. Take care and stay safe! Cheers!
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Jagdish is an Android troubleshooter who loves talking tech and discussing technology's impact on humanity. He is passionate about writing and fond of technology—with a zeal for Android problem-solving. When Jag isn't writing or discussing tech and marketing, he'll be smashing cricket balls or shooting hoops on the basketball court.