10 Low-Cost Hacks That Can Make Your Budget Headphones Sound High-End
Better sound doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg!
Audiophiles are always on the lookout for the best listening experience. But let’s face it, high-end audio gear can cost a pretty penny.
What if I tell you that there are ways to improve your listening experience without spening too much? Plus, they’re easy and can mostly be done with just a bit of patience and experimentation.
We’re not pulling your leg here. Here are the ten tried-and-true hacks you can try:
1. Replace Your Ear Pads/Tips
You’d be surprised how much of a difference fresh ear pads or tips can make.
Over time, headphone pads and ear tips can wear down and negatively affect not just comfort but also sound quality. So, swapping them out can restore them to their tip-top shape.
It’s not enough to just replace your old ear pads with any new ones, though.
Different materials shape the sound in unique ways.
Leather or protein leather often boosts the bass and adds warmth, while velour can widen the soundstage. And, for the adventurous, exotic options like sheepskin or lambskin usually make the sound warmer.
Even how dense and thick the pads are matters. Denser materials tend to absorb highs, while thicker pads can increase the perceived soundstage.
For IEM users, new tips (especially foam) can create a better seal. Aside from blocking out noise, this seal helps boost the bass frequencies you hear.
2. Do Proper Cable Management
Cable care might seem trivial, but it’s important for both longevity and audio quality.
Your cables are some of the most fragile parts of your gear. When they get bent or tangled a lot, it can create weak spots where internal wires might break or short out. This can cause the audio to cut out or your headphones’ one side to stop working completely.
Not to mention, good cable management makes your listening setup look neater and more organized.
The “over-under” or figure-eight coiling technique is your best friend here.
By changing the direction of each loop, you keep the cable’s natural shape and put less stress on the internal wires.
Also, pay special attention to the areas near the connectors, as they’re often the first points of failure. Avoid tight bends in these areas and make sure the cable isn’t putting unnecessary strain on them when storing your headphones.
For storage, try velcro straps or special cable organizers. Even simple things like binder clips can work well as DIY cable management tools.
3. Utilize Custom EQ Settings
If you feel like your headphones aren’t giving you the sound signature you’re craving, don’t rush to buy a new pair just yet! Instead, try playing around with equalization (EQ) first.
EQ is a powerful tool for changing sound to how you like it or compensating for your headphones’ shortcomings.
The good news is, most smartphones and computers have built-in EQ software, so you don’t really have to spend a dime. But for more control, consider downloading a dedicated EQ app. Options like Equalizer APO for Windows, Boom 3D for macOS, or Wavelet for Android offer extensive customization options.
When you hear the issue becoming more pronounced, you’ve found the culprit. From there, you can cut that frequency to reduce the problem.
Just remember that subtlety is key when making EQ adjustments. Start with small tweaks of 1-2 dB and gradually fine-tune until you find the sweet spot.
Avoid extreme boosts or cuts, as these can introduce distortion.
For example, if your headphones sound too sharp, try lowering the higher frequencies (around 4-10kHz). If they don’t have enough bass, a small boost in the lower frequencies (60-250Hz) might help.
4. Use High-Quality Music Files
The adage “garbage in, garbage out” applies perfectly to audio. No matter how good your headphones are, they can’t make low-quality files sound great. That’s why, to really enjoy your audio setup, start with high-quality music files.
Always choose lossless formats like FLAC or ALAC, as these keep all the original audio data, unlike compressed formats like MP3. You can find these files on websites like HDtracks, 7digital, or Bandcamp, which offer high-resolution audio files (24-bit/96kHz or higher) for download.
And, if you have a CD collection gathering dust, consider ripping your CDs to these lossless formats. This allows you to maintain CD quality (16-bit/44.1kHz) in a digital format at virtually no cost.
For streaming, check if your service offers a high-quality tier.
Tidal, Qobuz, and Apple Music, for example, offer lossless and even hi-res streaming options can make your listening experience much better. Plus, they don’t really cost more than other platforms that don’t have Hi-Fi. (*cough* Spotify *cough*)
5. Optimize Headphone Positioning
It’s easy to overlook, but putting your headphones on the right way can dramatically affect sound quality. In fact, even small adjustments can change the perceived soundstage, imaging, and frequency response.
The key is to try different positions and find the best spot for your specific headphones and ear shape.
For over-ear models, make sure the ear cups completely cover your ears and form a good seal. The drivers should be centered over your ear canals for the best sound delivery.
With on-ear headphones, try different angles and pressure levels. A slight tilt can sometimes make the overall sound more balanced. The goal is to have even pressure for both comfort and consistent sound quality.
Lastly, for IEM users, pay attention to insertion depth.
Putting them in deeper often results in better noise blocking and bass, but may be less comfortable. The shape of your ear canal can also affect the best position, so try different techniques.
While trying things out, remember that our ears are not the same on both sides.
You might find that the best position is slightly different for your left and right ears. So, take time to adjust each side separately for the best overall sound.
6. Make Sure Your Amp or Source Matches Your Headphones
Not all headphones play nice with all sources. That’s why understanding how your headphones and their power source work together is important for the best performance.
Headphone impedance and sensitivity are the main things to think about.
High-impedance headphones (typically above 100 ohms) often need more power to shine, while highly sensitive headphones need less juice to reach high volumes.
If your headphones sound thin or lack dynamics, they might benefit from a dedicated amplifier.
Luckily, there are some good, affordable amp options, like the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus and Qudelix 5K. But, then again, you can’t just buy any amp and expect it to work well.
When choosing an amp, consider both power output and output impedance.
As a rule of thumb, the amp’s output impedance should be less than 1/8th of your headphones’ impedance for optimal damping. This helps make sure the bass is tight and the overall sound is clear.
7. Take Good Care of Your Headphones
Keeping your headphones clean isn’t just about hygiene—it’s important for keeping good sound quality and making your gear last longer.
Regular maintenance can prevent degradation of sound quality and catch potential issues before they become serious problems.
Start with the basics: regularly clean ear pads and tips with a soft, slightly damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, many ear pads can be removed and washed by hand with mild soap.
Don’t forget to clean the headband too, especially if it’s made of fabric or padding that can absorb sweat and oils.
And, for delicate parts like driver grilles, use a soft brush to gently remove dust. If you find stubborn dirt, compressed air can help. But be careful – hold the can at a distance to avoid damaging the delicate driver parts.
8. Practice Healthy Listening Habits
Your ears are the most critical component in your audio chain. No matter how good your equipment is, if you don’t protect your hearing, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your music.
Practicing safe listening habits is essential for the long-term enjoyment of your audio setup. Here are a few tips:
- Follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. After this, take a break to let your ears rest.
- Be mindful of listening fatigue: If you notice ringing or muffled hearing after a session, it’s a sign that you’re listening too loud or for too long. These are warning signals from your ears that you shouldn’t ignore.
- Use earplugs: For situations where you can’t control the volume, like concerts or loud workplaces, consider using high-fidelity earplugs. These lower the overall volume levels while maintaining the sound quality to protect your hearing without ruining the experience.
- Have regular hearing check-ups: Visiting an audiologist once a year can help catch any problems early and guide you in protecting your hearing. If you want something simple, you can also try out online hearing checks.
- Maintain proper ear hygiene, but be cautious: Avoid inserting anything into your ear canal to clean it. If you’re concerned about earwax buildup affecting your hearing, consult a professional for safe removal methods.
9. Curate Your Listening Environment
Tweaking the listening environment is often associated with speakers. But, your experience with headphones can benefit from this, too!
Start by choosing a quiet place to minimize outside distractions. This is especially important for open-back headphones, which don’t block out ambient noise. If needed, consider using heavy curtains or basic soundproofing techniques to reduce outside noise.
Lighting can also really affect your focus and mood.
Try different lighting conditions. Some listeners (including me) find that dimming the lights or listening in darkness helps them concentrate on the music better.
Lastly, make sure you’re physically comfortable.
A good chair or a cozy spot on the couch can make long listening sessions more enjoyable. When your body is comfortable, you’re less likely to be distracted, allowing you to fully enjoy the music.
10. Experiment With Crossfeed Plugins
Crossfeed is a psychoacoustic effect that can make headphone listening more natural by simulating how we hear speakers in a room. It works by slightly blending the left and right channels, which reduces the extreme separation that can sometimes make headphone listening tiring.
Many music players offer crossfeed plugins, often for free. Foobar2000, for example, has several options available, including the popular Meier Crossfeed plugin. JRiver Media Center includes a built-in crossfeed option, while Roon users can access crossfeed settings in the DSP engine.
For those seeking more advanced options, plugins like Isone Pro not only offer crossfeed but also include room simulation and speaker emulation features. These can provide an even more refined and customizable listening experience.
When using crossfeed, start with small changes and gradually adjust to your taste. The goal is to create a more spacious, speaker-like sound without losing the intimacy of headphone listening.
Different genres and recordings might benefit from different crossfeed settings. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your preferences.
Article written by Jolina Landicho