What Are the Best Car Stereo Equalizer Settings?
There’s a reason why the North American and European car audio market is expected to grow to $6.46 billion by 2025. People crave great music quality when they drive.
Unfortunately, a nice system isn’t the only thing you need for the perfect audio. Poor equalizer settings can make even the best stereo equipment sound awful. So, exactly what are the best car stereo equalizer settings?
In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about equalizing your vehicle’s sound. That way you get the best sound for the music you enjoy. Let’s get started!
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What Does an Equalizer Do?
Before we begin it’s important to first understand exactly what an equalizer does. Think back to when you’ve been in a car with an inferior sound system. Certain parts of a song might be deafeningly loud, cutting through all the other instruments.
Other parts may be barely audible. An equalizer fixes this problem by flattening the dips and peaks of the sound. This creates a perfect listening experience that, when done right, feels like the band is playing right in front of you.
Essentially what an equalizer does is allow you to boost certain aspects of a song, while reducing the volume of the other parts. Now you may be thinking, Why not just increase the bass or treble levels? Unfortunately, this is not enough.
That’s because an equalizer split up the sound into different bands of ranges. This allows you to control sound levels across the board—not just on the left and right extremes. The amount of bands on the equalizer depends on how advanced it is.
However, even a small five-band EQ is preferable to nothing. Now that we know more about the role an equalizer plays in sound design, let’s learn about how to get the best settings out of one possible.
How to Get the Best Car Stereo Equalizer Settings
The first thing you need to do when setting your stereo’s EQ is to make sure the speakers are working in phase. This means that they’re moving and out at the same time. If your speakers aren’t in phase then you miss out on a good deal of bass response.
You can test the speaker's phase by shifting your stereo’s bass to one side of your vehicle while playing a song with noticeably heavy bass. Then, shift your balance back to the center.
If your speakers are in phase, then you should notice the bass level increase greatly. Now it’s time to fine-tune the equalizer. Before you begin make sure that you set it flat and turn your subwoofer off.
A flat EQ means that all the tone controls are set at zero and the EQ curve isn’t turned on. Now, play a song that you know well. Gradually increase the bass level until it reaches that sweet spot where it sounds like it’s right in front of you.
Now it’s time for some fine-tuning. Moving from left to right, adjust the balance of each band individually. Ideally, you want the sound to come from the back of the vehicle. This will balance the bass in the front.
The bass sound should be rich and thick without adding unnecessary distortion or noise. The midrange frequencies should come through smooth and steady. Finally, the high range should be clear and noticeable without adding any piercing sounds.
What Else Should You Consider When Adjusting Equalizer Settings?
Now that we know the basics of adjusting your EQ settings, let’s explore some other considerations. These are important if you notice a particular area of the mix isn’t coming through well. A little troubleshooting or added equipment can make up for any deficiencies.
Add Tweeters for More High Frequency
If your high-frequency ranges are coming in too high or low, then consider adding tweeters to your set up. This helps add needed clarity to the high ranges. Just remember that tweeter add-ons require tuning too.
You should also experiment with the position of the objects. Find the perfect, “sweet spot” that adds the most to your car’s mix.
Install Dampeners for Rattling Subs
Everyone loves a lot of bass in their mix. But too much can cause an annoying rattling sound in your subwoofers.
This is especially noticeable if you hit potholes in the road or turn up the volume. That’s where noise dampeners come into play. Install these on your speakers to get rid of the rattling sound.
Fine Tune the Rear Speakers
When rear speakers do their job right they add needed support to the mix of the sound system. If you notice a lot of sound coming from the rear speakers, then it’s time to adjust them.
Experiment with the audio settings until you find a level that adds depth without being overbearing.
Upgrade If You Need Too
Unfortunately, even the best equalizer settings won’t fix a bad stereo system. If you still can’t get the sound that you want out of your car, then it’s time to consider upgrading.
Think about the aspect of your current system that needs improvement.
If you want a softer, but richer sound, then consider installing mid-range speakers. If the mix doesn’t have enough bass, then you’ll want a nice subwoofer.
If you need a new system entirely, then we recommend car audio packages with everything you need.
Did You Enjoy This Article? Keep Reading to Find More
We hope this article helped you find the best car stereo equalizer settings for your vehicle. Ultimately, the right mix comes down to personal preference and music style.
The perfect equalizer settings for a hip hop song won’t work in the same way for classical music. However, with that said, the perfect equalizer settings can drastically improve your listening experience.
So keep experimenting until you find the levels that work for you. If you want more vehicle-related content, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring our topics to find something else you’ll love.
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