In this guide
Open Spotify's settings and find Equalizer under Playback. Turn it on, choose a preset or adjust a band, and compare with it off at a comfortable level. Spotify says audio settings cannot be changed while Spotify Connect is playing on another device.
To use the Spotify equalizer, open your profile settings, find Playback, and turn on Equalizer. Choose a preset or adjust the frequency controls while listening, then compare with the equalizer off. The exact path differs slightly by device. Spotify documents the current controls in its equalizer guide.
Spotify says you cannot change audio settings while using Spotify Connect to play on another device. If the setting is unavailable, first check which device is actually playing. The equalizer changes playback tone; it is not an instrument separator or an editor that creates a new audio file.
Want to sing along instead? See how to get lyrics on Spotify and compare karaoke options.
Turn on the Spotify equalizer
| Device | Where to find it | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Tap your profile picture, then Settings and privacy → Playback → Equalizer. | Turn it on, then choose a preset or adjust the points. |
| Android | Tap your profile picture, then Settings and privacy → Playback. Find Equalizer under Listening controls. | A device's built-in equalizer may also change other apps' audio. |
| Desktop app | Click your profile picture → Settings. Find Equalizer under Playback. | Turn it on, then select a preset or adjust the points. |
Menu labels and availability can change with app and device versions. If you cannot see the controls, use Spotify's current support instructions and check that the app is playing on the device you are adjusting.
Choose a setting without guessing
- Start with a familiar recording. Pick a song or podcast passage you know well and listen at a comfortable level. Use the headphones or speakers you normally use.
- Compare the original. Turn the equalizer off for a baseline, then turn it on. A preset is a starting point, not a guaranteed improvement for every track or device.
- Adjust one area at a time. To reduce excessive rumble, try a small reduction in a low-frequency band. If voices sound harsh, test a small adjustment higher in the spectrum. Listen to the same passage after each change.
- Compare at a similar perceived level. Boosting frequencies can make playback louder, which can be mistaken for better sound. Avoid raising the overall volume to make the comparison.
- Check another track. A curve that suits one recording may make another sound thin, boomy or sharp. Reduce or undo the change if the tradeoff is not useful.
There is no single best Spotify equalizer setting for every listener. Recordings, headphones, speakers and listening environments differ. If a strong boost makes playback sound distorted, reduce the boost or use a smaller cut elsewhere, then listen again. EQ changes all sounds in the affected range; it cannot independently raise a vocal that shares frequencies with instruments.
What do the frequency controls change?
Lower frequencies contribute bass and rumble; middle frequencies carry much of the body of voices and instruments; higher frequencies can affect detail, consonants and brightness. These are broad descriptions, not fixed boundaries. A band affects a range around its center, and several sources can overlap there.
For a closer explanation of frequency and how to compare an adjustment, see what an audio equalizer does and what sound frequency means. Do not use a visual curve alone to judge a track: listen to the result in context.
Why can't I find or hear the equalizer?
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| The option is missing or unavailable | Check the current app's Playback settings and the device receiving the audio. Spotify says audio settings cannot be changed while using Spotify Connect to play on another device. |
| Another app sounds different too | On Android, a device-level equalizer can affect other apps. Check the phone's audio settings as well as Spotify. |
| The sound is louder but not clearer | Compare at a similar listening level and make a smaller adjustment. Different tracks can respond differently. |
| The change is harsh or distorted | Reduce boosts and listen again. Check other active sound processing in the playback chain. |
Equalizer vs volume normalization
An equalizer changes the balance of frequency ranges. Spotify's volume normalization is a separate feature that aims to make the listening level more consistent between tracks. Spotify lists normalization for Premium and explains its options in the normalization guide. Neither control separates a singer from a finished mix.
Can I export the adjusted audio?
The Spotify equalizer is a listening control. If you need to edit an audio file you have permission to use, start with that file separately; do not assume a Spotify playback setting produces an edited download.
The free Saturalabs audio equalizer adjusts four fixed bands on a supported mono or stereo MP3 or WAV up to five minutes and 50 MiB. It processes locally in a compatible browser and can prepare a WAV or MP3 for preview and download. It does not connect to Spotify or accept a streaming link. Boosting can raise peaks; listen to the prepared file and keep the original.
Common questions
What is the best Spotify EQ for bass?
There is no universal curve. Start with a small low-frequency adjustment on familiar material and compare with EQ off. Too much bass can mask speech or sound distorted on some equipment.
Does Spotify EQ remove vocals?
No. It changes frequency ranges across the mix. Vocals and instruments overlap, so an EQ cut changes both. Vocal separation is a different process and can introduce artifacts.
Why can't I change EQ while using Spotify Connect?
Spotify states that audio settings cannot be changed when Connect is playing on another device. Check the active playback device and its available controls.