Smartphones today can do much more than just send a message, make a call, or take selfies. For one, you can also use them to listen to music wherever you go. The bad news is that their default audio profiles just won’t cut it, especially if you are an audiophile.
There is some good news, though: you can use an equalizer app to enhance your phone’s sound. If you are an Android user, we have gathered some of the best Android equalizer apps in one place, but before we get to this, let us take a quick look at what an equalizer is.
Also read: How to Improve Sound on Your Android Phone
What Is an Equalizer App?
An equalizer app is a tool that you can use to adjust the different frequency bands of your phone’s audio signal. In simpler terms, it allows you to optimize the sound based on your unique taste, or should we say hearing.
Most Android devices have built-in equalizer capabilities, but they are not all created equal. Other phones won’t let you access it at all unless you use a third-party software, like System Equalizer Shortcut.
In any case, your best option is to look for a standalone equalizer app and install it on your phone. So without further ado, take your pick from the list below.
Also read: AirPods Alternatives: 5 of the Best Wireless Earphones You Should Get
1. Equalizer FX
Equalizer FX is one of the simplest but most popular Android equalizer apps in the market today. It features a clean user interface that has three main sections: Equalizer, Effects, and Profile.
The equalizer lets you adjust five frequency bands, which is not much but enough to enhance the output quality of your phone’s audio. You can customize the effects by changing the balance between channels or enabling the bass boost, loudness enhancer, and virtualization.
Just keep in mind that you won’t hear much difference after enabling virtualization unless you are wearing headphones.
In the Profiles section, you will find 15 different presets, including Super Bass, Rock, and Blues. You can add your own if you do not like any of the selections given.
The Equalizer FX app comes free as long as you don’t mind ads zipping across the top of the screen. If you find these ads distracting and want to get rid of them, be prepared to pay around $2 for the premium version.
Another cool thing about Equalizer FX is that it has a widget function. While this feature is not unique, it is still nice to have.
Also read: How to Create Your Own Android Widget
Why you should choose Equalizer FX
- It is one of the best equalizer apps with a widget function
Pros
- Easy to use
- Multiple presets
- Customizable effects
- Compatible with Spotify and more
Cons
- Distracting ads in free version
- Only five bands
- Does not work with FM radio
2. Bass Boost and Equalizer
Bass Booster and Equalizer is another Android app that offers a five-band equalizer. As its name implies, it also features a bass boost function that will give your phone’s audio more punch.
In addition to its two main features, this app has a virtualizer that will vibrate the air and make your phone sound unique. You can find all of these functions in the equalizer tab, along with 22 profile presets and a small control panel at the bottom which lets you launch your favorite player directly from the app.
The menu button is at the top left corner of the default page. In it, you will find a button that enables the “10-band equalizer” function for free, which is a very nice option to have.
At the right of the equalizer icon at the top of the default page is an audio icon that lets you control the volume and increase it to as high as 200%. However, it is best to try out the lower settings first before you crank it all the way up, as you could cause some serious damage to your hearing.
Also read: 6 Useful Android Volume Control Apps to Fine Tune Your Device’s Volume
Like some of the best Android equalizer apps in the market, Bass Boost and Like some of the best Android equalizer apps in the market, Bass Boost and Equalizer has a widget function, which makes it easier to access the controls without having to open the app itself. You can download it for free and remove the ads by watching five videos to get a total of 50 virtual coins.
Why you should choose Bass Booster and Equalizer
- You can enable the 10-band equalizer for free.
Pros
- Multiple profile presets
- Volume optimization
- Remove ads for free (by collecting in-app coins)
Cons
- Need to watch videos to remove ads
Also read: 7 of the Best Lossless Audio Players for Android
3. Neutralizer
Fair warning: the Neutralizer app is not like all the other Android equalizer apps out there. After you download and open it, the first thing you see is not columns of band frequencies. Instead, you will be asked to create a profile before you can do anything else.
It is a sign of what the app has in store for you, which is total personalization. Instead of offering the typical EQ controls, it creates a sound profile from scratch based on your hearing. It does this through a hearing test, which is a bit complicated but totally worth it.
Audiophiles who know their stuff love how this app can personalize the sound of their phones. At the same time, newbies with limited experience or knowledge of EQ adjustments will surely appreciate it too.
The app is free and does not run ads, but you can store only one preset. If you want to add more, you can do it for the price of $5.
Why you should choose Neutralizer
- It is ideal for audiophiles and people with hearing difficulties.
Pros
- Unrivaled personalization
- Free with no ads
Cons
- Only one profile in the free version
Also read: 10 of the Best Music Player Apps for Android
4. Music Volume EQ – Equalizer and Bass Booster
Its name is a mouthful, but if you can get past that, Music Volume EQ – Equalizer and Bass Booster is actually one of the best Android equalizer apps in the market today. It features a five-band EQ, nine presets, and a bunch of other functions, including bass boosting, loudness enhancement, and much more.
While all these features are pretty much standard, what sets Music Volume EQ apart from the competition is that it works perfectly with almost all of the audio players today. Even better, it is compatible with most video players too.
The interface is very intuitive and easy to use, which is something that EQ newbies would really like. You can easily switch between the home page and the EQ page by toggling the Equalizer button, which you can access using the menu button in the upper left corner.
The app has a free version that comes with various ads. You can remove the ads for the price of around $4.
Why you should choose Music Volume EQ – Equalizer and Bass Booster
- It works well with most audio and video players.
Pros
- It has all the helpful features that audiophiles look for in an equalizer app.
- The interface is user-friendly and intuitive.
Cons
- Limited presets offered
- Need to pay to remove ads
5. Equalizer Music Player Booster
The Equalizer Music Player Booster is an all-in-one software that lets you use other applications while you are listening to your favorite music, thanks to the background play mode. It has an outstanding built-in music player, which means that you can easily listen to all the songs on your device through the app.
While the standard for most Android equalizer apps is five band frequencies, this app allows you to control seven. It also comes with a bass boost function that can add more depth to your phone’s audio.
There are ten audio presets for you to choose from, including Acoustic, Classical, R&B, and Rock. You can also save a personalized preset if you want.
You can get the app without paying, but the ads in the free version can be very disruptive. Fortunately, $2 will get rid of these interruptions for you.
Why you should choose Equalizer Music Player Booster
- It is an all-in-one Android equalizer app.
Pros
- Versatile equalizer app
- Has background play mode
- Offers seven-band EQ
Cons
- Ads in the free version are disruptive
Also read: 6 Ways to Apply an Equalizer to Your Music in macOS
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Android phones have built-in equalizers?
Most Android phones have had a system-wide equalizer since Android Lollipop was released in 2014. However, for some models, you could not access it even through the settings. That is why it is still better to download a native application to enhance your phone’s audio.
2. What is the best EQ setting?
Listening to music is a very personal experience, so there is no one answer to this question. It would ultimately depend on what type of songs you listen to.
Having said that, most Android equalizer apps offer several presets. You can choose the best one and tweak it incrementally until you are satisfied. Just remember that the EQ sliders on the left side are the low frequencies, and they control the bass. The higher frequencies are on the right side, and these are the sliders you move up or down if you want to change the treble. The middle sliders are for the vocals and other mid-range elements of your audio.
3. If I have two equalizer apps open, which one will work?
If you open two or more equalizer apps at the same time, most of them would work together. You can even switch from one app to another to change the audio settings. However, the results are unpredictable, and it is difficult to achieve a consistent sound if you use more than one equalizer. That is why if you launch some of these apps, you will get a notification that there are other EQ apps open and will be advised to turn those off first.
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