Have you ever felt frustrated when you put on your headphones, play your favorite music, and your headphone’s volume is low? Do you wish you could enjoy your favorite songs or podcasts louder? If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with headphones that are too quiet for their liking. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to make your headphones louder, without compromising the sound quality or damaging your hearing. Let me show you easy tips on “how to make headphones louder”, from adjusting your device settings to using external amplifiers.

How to Make Headphones Louder:

1. Check the File Compression

One of the factors that affects the loudness of your audio files is the compression level. Compression is a process that reduces the size of audio files by removing some of the data that is not essential for human hearing. However, compression also lowers the dynamic range of the audio, which is the difference between the loudest and the softest sounds. This can make the audio sound quieter, especially if you compare it to a file that has less or no compression.

To make your headphones louder, you can try to find audio files that have higher quality and less compression. For example, you can look for files that have a higher bitrate, which is the amount of data that is encoded per second. A higher bitrate means more information and more detail in the sound. You can also look for files that have a lossless format, such as FLAC or ALAC, which preserve all the original data without any compression.

2. Clean Your Headphones

Another simple way to make your headphones louder is to clean them regularly. Dirt, dust, earwax, and other debris can accumulate on your headphone drivers, earpads, or ear tips, and block some of the sound from reaching your ears. This can reduce the volume and clarity of your headphones, and also affect their hygiene and comfort.

To clean your headphones, you can use a soft cloth or a cotton swab to gently wipe away any dirt or earwax from the surface of your headphones. You can also use a toothpick or a needle to carefully remove any stubborn debris from the holes or meshes of your headphone drivers. If your headphones have removable earpads or ear tips, you can wash them with mild soap and water, and let them dry completely before putting them back on.

3. Turn Up All The Knobs

Sometimes, the reason why your headphones are too quiet is simply because you have not turned up all the volume controls on your device and your headphones. Different devices and apps may have different volume settings that can affect the overall loudness of your headphones. For example, your phone may have a separate volume control for media playback, phone calls, notifications, and alarms. Your music player app may also have its own volume slider or equalizer that can boost or lower the sound.

To make your headphones louder, you should check all the volume controls on your device and your headphones, and make sure they are set to the maximum level. You can also try to adjust the balance between the left and right channels of your headphones, in case one of them is quieter than the other. To do this, you can go to your device’s sound settings and find the option to change the balance or pan.

4. Install a Third-Party Software Equalizer

If adjusting the volume controls is not enough to make your headphones louder, you can try to use a third-party software equalizer to enhance the sound quality and loudness of your headphones. An equalizer is a tool that lets you modify the frequency response of your audio output, by increasing or decreasing the gain of certain frequency bands. By using an equalizer, you can customize the sound of your headphones according to your preferences and listening environment.

There are many equalizer apps available for different devices and platforms, such as XBooster for Android, Volume Booster – Sound Louder for iOS, Boom2 for macOS, and FxSound for Windows. These apps allow you to choose from various presets or create your own custom profiles for different genres or scenarios. You can also use them to apply effects such as bass boost, surround sound, reverb, or 3D sound to enhance your listening experience.

5. Use an External Amplifier

One of the most effective ways to make your headphones louder is to use an external amplifier. An amplifier is a device that increases the power and voltage of an audio signal, resulting in higher volume and better sound quality. An amplifier can be especially useful if you have high-impedance or low-sensitivity headphones, which require more power than what your device can provide.

There are different types of amplifiers that you can use with your headphones, such as portable amps, desktop amps, DAC/amp combos, or headphone amp/DACs. Portable amps are small and battery-powered devices that you can carry with you and connect to your device via a cable or Bluetooth. Desktop amps are larger and more powerful devices that you can plug into your computer or home stereo system. DAC/amp combos are devices that combine an amplifier and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which converts the digital audio signal from your device into an analog signal that your headphones can play. Headphone amp/DACs are similar to DAC/amp combos, but they are designed specifically for headphones and have a dedicated headphone output.

To use an external amplifier with your headphones, you need to connect your device to the amplifier’s input, and then connect your headphones to the amplifier’s output. You may also need to use an adapter or a cable to match the connectors of your device, amplifier, and headphones. For example, if your device has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and your amplifier has a 6.3mm headphone jack, you will need a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter to connect them.

6. Upgrade Your Headphones

Finally, if none of the above tips and tricks work for you, or if you are not satisfied with the sound quality and loudness of your headphones, you may want to consider upgrading your headphones to a better pair. There are many factors that affect the performance and loudness of headphones, such as the driver size, driver type, impedance, sensitivity, frequency response, design, and build quality. By choosing a pair of headphones that suits your needs and preferences, you can enjoy a more immersive and satisfying listening experience.

There are many types and styles of headphones that you can choose from, such as in-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, wired headphones, wireless headphones, noise-canceling headphones, open-back headphones, closed-back headphones, and more. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your usage and budget. You can also look for headphones that have features such as volume control, microphone, remote control, or voice assistant compatibility.

Conclusion

Making your headphones louder is very easy with the tips I wrote before. By following the tips, you can boost your headphone volume and enjoy your audio content at a higher level of loudness. But you need to remember to listen responsibly and protect your hearing health. Do not expose yourself to sounds that are too loud or too long, as they can cause permanent hearing damage or loss.