The Tool Desk
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Which settings affect music playback?
Music EQ and Sound Check are in the Music app’s settings. EQ changes tonal balance; Sound Check evens out differences in playback volume. Neither is a universal setting for every audio app.
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1. Choose an EQ preset in Music
- Open Settings > Apps > Music > EQ.
- Choose a preset, or select Off to hear the unadjusted sound.
- Compare the options using a familiar song and the same headphones and volume.
EQ changes how music sounds in Apple’s Music app, not the output of every app on your iPhone. A preset may suit one track or listener better than another, so use the sound you prefer rather than assuming one option is best for everyone. Apple’s iOS 26 Music guide describes EQ and Sound Check.
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2. Turn on Sound Check for more consistent volume
- Go to Settings > Apps > Music.
- Turn on Sound Check.
Sound Check normalizes playback volume so songs with different recorded levels are less jarring when played in sequence. It addresses loudness consistency, not tonal balance, added detail, or a promise of higher fidelity. Turn it off if you prefer the original level differences.
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
How can I tailor headphone audio to your hearing?
3. Set up Headphone Accommodations
- Connect supported Apple or Beats headphones.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations and turn the feature on.
- Choose whether the adjustments apply to Phone, Media, or both, then listen and adjust the available tuning.
Headphone Accommodations can amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies. The separate Phone and Media choices let you target calls, media such as music, or both. It requires a supported headphone model; compatibility is not guaranteed for every Bluetooth headset. Apple’s iOS 26 audio settings guide covers the feature, and its Beats accommodations guide describes supported Beats tuning choices, including Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, or Brightness and Slight, Moderate, or Strong amplification. These are personal adjustments, not guaranteed improvements.
What do Mono Audio and Balance change?
4. Use Mono Audio when you need channels combined
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual and turn on Mono Audio. It sends the same combined content to the left and right speakers. This can help if you need both channels together, but it removes left/right stereo separation and is not a general music-quality enhancement.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
5. Adjust Stereo Audio Balance only if needed
In Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual, move the Balance slider left or right if sound seems louder on one side or your listening needs are asymmetric. Center is the neutral starting point; shifting the slider changes the stereo image rather than making audio universally better. Apple documents both controls in its iPhone audio settings guide.
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6. Check Phone Noise Cancellation on iPhone 12 or earlier
Apple documents Phone Noise Cancellation for iPhone 12 and earlier; it is on by default on those models. The feature uses air-pressure sensing to reduce ambient background noise when you hold the receiver to your ear. To check it, open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual and toggle Phone Noise Cancellation if the option is present. This affects what you hear through the receiver. It is not the same as Voice Isolation, which changes microphone processing for the other person on a call. Apple’s guide documents this model limit.
Rank #3
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with Lightning Connector also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
7. Choose a microphone mode, such as Voice Isolation
- Start or join a supported call.
- Open Control Center and tap the controls for the app in use.
- Under Audio & Video or Mic Mode, select the available mode.
Voice Isolation prioritizes your voice and suppresses ambient noise. Use it when background sounds are distracting. Wide Spectrum leaves ambient sound unfiltered, which can be preferable when other sounds need to come through; it is not available for phone calls. Automatic selects a mode based on the call situation. Availability depends on the iOS version and app: Voice Isolation in phone calls requires iOS 16.4 or later; Voice Isolation or Wide Spectrum in FaceTime and certain third-party apps requires iOS 15 or later; Automatic Mic Mode requires iOS 18 or later. The selection applies to the app in use and persists for that app until you change it. See Apple Support’s Voice Isolation and Mic Mode instructions for the supported modes and eligibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which settings should you try first?
- For music volume jumps: Try Sound Check; it targets playback-level differences.
- For a tonal change: Compare an EQ preset with Off in Apple Music.
- For personalized headphone tuning: Use Headphone Accommodations if your model is supported, and select Phone, Media, or both according to where you want the changes.
- For a call with background noise: Try Voice Isolation if your call app and iOS version support it.
- For channel or balance needs: Use Mono Audio to combine channels, or adjust Balance if one side needs a different level.
Change one setting at a time and listen in the context where you intend to use it. That makes it easier to tell whether the adjustment helps you.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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