How to Increase Bass on a Windows PC or Mac Computer

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Increase or decrease your computer’s speakers without any technical know-how
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This wikiHow article teaches you how to raise or lower the amount of bass in your computer's speaker output. Some Windows computers have built-in Bass Boost audio enhancements, but if yours doesn't, you can usually use the audio software that came with your computer or try a free tool like Equalizer APO. If you're using Apple Music for Mac, you can adjust the bass using the app's built-in equalizer, or try eqMac for bass bass-boosting features.

Quickly Adjust Bass on a Computer

Open the Sound Control Panel, select your audio device, and click the "Enhancements" tab. Check the box next to "Bass Boost" to enable it. If you don’t have this option, use the audio control panel for your sound card, the EQ settings in your audio app, or a third-party bass booster.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows Sound Settings on Windows 10/11

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  1. Press Win + I to open Settings, then go to Volume > Sound Control Panel .
    • Alternatively, you can find this menu in the Settings menu by click System followed by Sound on the left. You can also right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and click Open Sound Settings .
    • If you don't see these options, try using Equalizer APO for Windows .
    • Not every speaker or headphone set will have this option in Windows Sound Settings. If that's the case for you and you want to boost the bass, try a third-party equalizer or look for a "Bass" setting in your audio's software.
  2. This may be your speakers, headphones, HDMI-out, or other audio devices. Double-click whichever device you are using for your audio output.
    • You may first have to click the Playback tab in the upper-left corner of the Sound window.
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  3. It's at the top of the Properties window for your audio output device.
    • The Enhancements tab is not available for all audio devices. For example, Enhancements may not be available for laptop speakers. However, they may be available if you connect a pair of speakers or headphones via the 3mm headphone jack or via Bluetooth .
  4. It's the first option in the list of enhancements. This enables Bass Boost for your device.
    • To adjust the Settings for Bass Boost, click Bass Boost so that it is highlighted and click Settings at the bottom of the window.
    • Then you can adjust the frequency and boost level. The frequency determines what part of the audio spectrum receives a boost. Boost level determines how much the frequency is increased. Use the drop-down menus to select the frequency and boost level. Click Ok when you are done.
      • 50-75Hz is usually within the sub-bass range. 75-250HZ is the bass range. 250-500Hz is within the lower midrange. And 500-600Hz is within the mid-range settings. [1]
  5. This applies your audio enhancement settings. You can now click Ok to close the window.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Adjusting Bass on Most Computers

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  1. If you have an external speaker set, there might be a knob that you can turn to change the bass levels.
  2. Go to the "Settings" or "Preferences" menu and you might find an "Audio" section where you can adjust the sound levels that come from that app.
  3. If you have a PC laptop or installed a third-party sound card, it likely came with software you can use to adjust the bass and other audio features. The audio software you're looking for is based on your device. For example, Realtek built-in speakers use the Realtek utility, and some Dell laptops use Waves MaxxAudio. Try typing "audio" into the Windows search bar to see what's available.
    • Alternatively, if you have external speakers plugged in, you'll look for software that installed when you plugged them in. You can find the appropriate software by searching audio in the Start menu.
  4. If you use Chrome to play audio or watch videos, try the Equalizer for Chrome extension to increase or decrease the bass. You can install the extension from the Chrome Web Store.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Apple Music on Mac

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  1. If you're using Apple Music to listen to music on your Mac, you can use its built-in equalizer to adjust the bass.
    • Audio adjustments in Apple Music only apply to Apple Music. They do not apply to other apps on your Mac.
  2. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  3. This opens the equalizer for Apple Music.
  4. This turns the equalizer on and applies the settings to your music.
  5. The slider bars on the left control the bass frequencies. The slider bars above 32 and 64 control the sub-bass frequencies. The slider bars above 125 and 250 control the bass frequencies. The slider bars above 500 control the mid-range frequencies.
    • Alternatively, you can select one of the presets using the drop-down menu at the top. [2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Equalizer APO for Windows

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  1. Equalizer APO is a free equalizer you can download for Windows. You will need to restart your computer after the installation process. Equalizer APO may not work with some audio devices, such as laptop speakers, but it will work with headphones and external speakers. Use the following steps to download and install Equalizer APO:
    • Go to https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ in a web browser.
    • Click the green button that says Download .
    • Click the EqualizerAPO.exe file in your Downloads folder or web browser.
    • Click Yes to allow the Equalizer APO to modify your system.
    • Click Next to begin the installation process.
    • Click I agree to agree to the terms and conditions.
    • Click Browse to select an install location (optional) and click Next to continue.
    • Click Install .
    • Click the check box next to all audio devices you want to use Equalizer APO with and click Ok .
    • Select Reboot now and click Finish.
  2. PEACE is an extension for Equalizer APO that adds a more user-friendly interface. It also has features like preset equalizer settings and adding gain to bass frequencies. Use the following steps to download and install PEACE:
  3. PEACE has a blue icon resembling a peace sign with two lines off the side. Click the icon in your Windows Start menu to open PEACE.
  4. It's the image on the right. This opens the full interface with all the features.
  5. Move the slider bars on the left up to adjust the bass frequencies.
    • The slider bars below "10" and "21" control the sub-bass frequencies on your computer. The slider bars below "42" and "83" control the bass range frequencies. The slider bars below "83" and "166" control the low-mid range frequencies. The slider bars below "333" and "577" control the mid-range frequencies.
    • Alternatively, you can click one of the pre-saved settings in the box in the lower-left corner to load it. Try Bass Boost or Bass Boost 2 for example.
    • Equalizer APO and PEACE may not work on all audio output devices (laptop speakers, for example). If you don't hear any changes when adjusting the equalizer settings, connect a headset or pair of speakers.
  6. If you want to enhance the bass further, you can add some more gain to the bass under Effects .
  7. Click and drag the Bass gain up to turn it up. This adds more gain to the bass frequencies.
  8. The adjust which frequencies the bass gain is applied to.
    • Between 0 - 75Hz controls the sub-bass frequencies. 75Hz - 250Hz controls the bass frequencies. 250-500Hz controls the low-mid range frequencies. 500-600Hz controls the mid-range frequencies. [3]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using eqMac for Mac

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  1. Go to https://eqmac.app in your computer's web browser. This is the website that allows you to download eqMac for free. It is an equalizer you can download for your Mac audio system with free basic EQ features. You'll need to pay for more advanced EQ functionality.
  2. It's the green button at the top of the page.
  3. You will need to restart your Mac to finish the installation. Once eqMac finishes downloading, do the following to install it:
    • Double-click the eqMac.pkg file in your Downloads folder or web browser.
    • Verify the installation if prompted.
    • Click Continue .
    • Click Continue to install on the Mac hard drive.
    • Click Install .
    • Click Close applications if asked to close any applications before continuing.
    • Enter your password and click Continue .
    • Click Restart Mac to restart your Mac.
  4. It has a green icon that resembles a sound wave.
    • If you are asked if you want to send crash reports and analytic data, click Accept All to agree to everything.
  5. To turn up the bass knob, click it and drag it in a clockwise circular direction. This boosts the bass for your Mac system.
    • Alternatively, you can click Advanced above the knobs and use the slider bars on the equalizer to adjust the frequencies. The slider bars on the left are used to control the bass frequencies. The ones furthest to the left adjust the lowest frequencies. The slider bars above 32 and 64 control the sub-bass frequencies. The slider bars above 125 and 250 control the bass frequencies. The slider bars above 500 control the mid-range frequencies.
    • If you want to save your settings, click the plus (+) sign above the knobs or equalizer and enter a name for your settings. Then click Save . [4]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Will changing the EQ on Windows Media Player affect all sounds (as in every single sound any program makes)?
    Community Answer
    No, that will affect only the Media Player's sound settings.
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  • Question
    How does one get all those options when opening Equalizer APO? It's a blank screen for me, and I don't know how to get it to the point that your screenshot is.
    Aliawilson
    Community Answer
    Open Volume Mixer on your Taskbar. Click on the picture of the speakers, click the Enhancements tab, and select Bass Booster. If you want to increase it more, click on Settings on the same tab and select the dB Boost Level.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 64 Helpful 12
  • Question
    I do not see an option for the equalizer on my Windows 10 version. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    The settings depend on the audio driver. If the Windows 10 driver does not support equalizing, there will not be a tab under advanced. There may be a tone tab that has bass and treble, however.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cuidevices.com/blog/understanding-audio-frequency-range-in-audio-design
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/music/adjust-the-sound-quality-museb684a3de/mac
      3. ↑ https://sourceforge.net/p/equalizerapo/wiki/Documentation/#troubleshooting
      4. ↑ https://help.eqmac.app/en/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Install a equalizer app such as Equalizer APO for Windows or eqMac for Mac.
      2. Open the equalizer app.
      3. Turn up the bass knob or use the slider bars on the left side of the equalizer to increase the bass frequencies.

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