For more bass without muddy sound, boost 60 Hz by about +3 to +5 dB, boost 125 Hz slightly (+1 to +3 dB), cut 250–500 Hz a little (−1 to −2 dB) and leave the treble flat or give 4–8 kHz a small lift so the sound stays clear. Then lower the overall volume a little to avoid distortion. Below are ready-made settings for a 5-band and 10-band equalizer.
Best 10-band EQ settings for bass
| Band | Balanced bass boost | Heavy bass (headphones, subwoofers) |
|---|---|---|
| 32 Hz | +3 dB | +5 dB |
| 64 Hz | +4 dB | +6 dB |
| 125 Hz | +2 dB | +4 dB |
| 250 Hz | 0 dB | +1 dB |
| 500 Hz | −1 dB | −2 dB |
| 1 kHz | 0 dB | −1 dB |
| 2 kHz | 0 dB | 0 dB |
| 4 kHz | +1 dB | +1 dB |
| 8 kHz | +1 dB | +2 dB |
| 16 kHz | 0 dB | +1 dB |
Best 5-band EQ settings for bass
| Band | Setting |
|---|---|
| 60 Hz | +4 dB |
| 230 Hz | +1 dB |
| 910 Hz | 0 dB |
| 3.6 kHz | +1 dB |
| 14 kHz | +1 dB |
Equalizers label their bands slightly differently. Use the band closest to each value.
Why these settings work
- 32–64 Hz is the deep sub-bass you feel. Boosting it adds weight and rumble.
- 125 Hz is the punch of a kick drum and bass guitar.
- 250–500 Hz is where bass turns "muddy" and "boxy". A small cut here makes the bass sound cleaner and actually more powerful.
- 4–8 kHz brings back clarity, so vocals and cymbals are not buried by the extra bass.
Read more about what each range does in what Hz is bass.
Settings by device
Small speakers, phones and laptops
These cannot play much below 100–200 Hz. Boosting 32 or 64 Hz only adds distortion. Instead boost 125–250 Hz by +2 to +3 dB and keep the volume moderate.
Headphones and earbuds
Headphones with a good seal play deep bass well, so the full settings above work. If bass is weak, check the ear-tip fit first – a poor seal loses most of the bass.
Car audio
Cars naturally boost low bass because the cabin is small. Start with +2 dB at 64 Hz and adjust; a big boost often sounds boomy.
With a subwoofer
Leave the EQ flatter and use the subwoofer level instead. Make sure the crossover and phase are set correctly – see how to test a subwoofer.
Bass EQ settings by music genre
| Genre | Where to boost |
|---|---|
| Hip-hop, trap, EDM | Sub-bass 32–64 Hz |
| Rock, metal | Punch 80–125 Hz, plus 2–4 kHz for guitars |
| Pop | 64–125 Hz, small lift at 8 kHz |
| Jazz, acoustic | Gentle 100–200 Hz warmth only |
How to test your EQ
- Play our bass test tones at 40, 60 and 100 Hz before and after changing the EQ.
- Run the bass sweep and listen for any note that suddenly gets much louder (a boomy peak) or any rattling.
- Play a familiar song and switch the EQ on and off. The bass should be stronger but vocals still clear.
Avoid these mistakes
- Boosting everything. Raising all bands just makes it louder and more distorted.
- Huge boosts (+10 dB or more). These cause clipping and can damage speakers – see how to tell if a speaker is blown.
- Stacking effects. Turn off "bass boost" in the app if you also boost bass in the EQ.
Test it now
Related guides
How to Test a Subwoofer
Test tones, power, connections, crossover, phase and placement.
Read guideWhat Hz Is Bass? Bass Frequency Range Explained
Sub-bass, punch and warmth – which Hz does what, and how low your speakers go.
Read guideMono vs Stereo Audio: What's the Difference?
What mono and stereo mean, and how to switch mono on or off on any device.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
What is the best Hz for bass?
60 Hz for deep bass you feel and 100–125 Hz for punchy bass you hear. Most music benefits from a small boost at both.
Why does my bass sound muddy?
Usually too much energy around 200–400 Hz. Cut that range by 1–3 dB instead of adding more low bass.
Should treble be higher than bass?
Not necessarily. A slight lift in both, with the mids flat or slightly lower (a gentle "V" shape), is the most popular sound for music.
What is the best EQ for bass on Spotify?
Use the "Bass Booster" preset as a start, or set the 60 Hz and 150 Hz sliders to about +4 dB and +2 dB, with the mids slightly lower.