It is vital to equalize the sound ranges for any audio setup, except you prefer using a neutral equalizer. Equalizers would enhance the sound output from your device.
Car audio setups are quite different from other audio setups because of the type of devices. Therefore, it is essential to adjust the equalizer accordingly.
It might seem a little difficult to adjust equalizers generally. Hence, it brings you to the question of the best equalizer settings for your car audio.
The best equalizer settings for car audio bass, mid, and treble vary according to the genre of music. You must adjust the ranges for every genre to get the best results. In addition, the best equalizer also depends on personal choices. It is best to balance your ranges according to your preference.
What Are the Best Equalizer Settings for Car Audio Bass, Mid, and Treble?
The best equalizer settings for car audio bass, mid, and treble differ according to individual personal preference and the genre of the music you are listening to.
Equalizer does not have a standard setting. However, a general approach for all music genres would not work either.
However, the smiley graph is an ideal setting for most equalizers generally. In case of confusion, It is best to follow the principle of this graph to get good results.
The smiley graph settings boost the ends of the treble and bass while leaving the mid at zero decibels (0 dB). The result appears like a smiley figure or U-shape.
To effectively adjust the best equalizer settings for car audio, the different sound ranges for each genre of music are outlined below.
#1. Soul Music
Due to the nature of soul music, which focuses on vocals and rhythms. The best equalizer settings for any car audio should be able to make the artist’s voice clear and natural.
Therefore, the equalizer settings should focus more on increasing the mid. To achieve the perfect sound, you need to increase the mid by two to four points (+2/3).
Then you would increase the bass by one or two points (+1/2). The treble would decrease by two or three points (-2/3).
However, it is essential to know that this setting is only ideal for a three-band equalizer. It doesn’t apply to a ten-band equalizer.
Although, the settings are sufficient enough for any car audio. It is because most car audio setups are commonly three-band equalizers.
However, if you use a ten-band audio setup or higher, you must keep readjusting the settings. You need to ensure it looks like an inverted “U” shape with a tail.
The adjustments would ensure a clean and clear vocal. Then, you can readjust other aspects of the audio setup.
#2. Acoustic Music
Acoustic music concentrates heavily on the instruments and vocals. Therefore, you need to increase the mids to achieve the best equalizer performance.
For a three-band equalizer, it is best to increase the bass by two to three points (+2/3). Then, increase the mids by one or two points (+1/2) and the treble by one point (+1/0).
As for a ten-band equalizer audio setup, the settings should appear like a small wave towards the middle of the slider.
It is best to reduce the mid for acoustic music with louder vocals. It would help to balance the sounds between the instruments and vocals.
#3. Classical Music
Classical music consists of the combination of different vocal ranges and several instruments. Therefore, it is best to leave the equalizer in an equal setting.
The equalizer would need to be almost flat to achieve the best results. The settings would balance all the frequencies and musical aspects to create a clear sound.
To achieve this result in a three-band equalizer, you would need to increase the bass, mid, and treble by only one point. You can also add one more point to the mid and treble.
It means the bass would be (+1/0), while the mids and treble could be (+1/2) each. As for the ten or more band equalizer, the settings should almost look like a straight line.
However, it would help if you increased the lower ends of the bands a little. To concentrate more on the rhythm and melody, you should adjust the lower ends of all the equalizer settings.
Also, the equalizer setting could be lower or higher from zero decibels (0 dB). But you must ensure the bass, mid, and treble are almost at equal levels.
#4. Jazz Music
Due to jazz music concentrating on trumpets, drums, and double bass, it would be best to reduce the mids and increase the bass and treble.
For three-band equalizer settings, you would need to increase the bass and treble by one or two points (+1/2), and the mids would need to decrease by one point (-1/0).
Meanwhile, a ten-band equalizer setting would look like a stretched “U-shaped” figure. You can also call the shape a smiley figure.
#5. Lo-Fi Music
Lo-Fi music focuses more on instruments than vocals. Although the vocals are also important, customizing the instruments would give a better result.
To achieve this result on a three-band equalizer, you need to reduce the bass and treble by four points or lower while leaving the mids at their normal position.
It means that the bass and treble would be (-4 or lower) and the mid would be (0). As for a ten-band equalizer, the settings should look like a deep inverted “U-shaped” figure.
You can increase the bass and treble a little higher if the sound seems too low. The main goal is to get a more relaxing and calm sound.
#6. Pop and Hip-Hop Music
You need to increase the mids and reduce the bass and treble. For a three-band equalizer, reduce the bass and treble by one point, and increase the mid by one or two points.
The bass and treble would be (-1/0), and the mid would be (+1/2). The settings would look like a small downward curve, and the edges would almost look flat for a ten-band setup.
You can always increase the bass and the treble if you want. However, you must ensure the mid is always higher than the treble and bass.
#7. Electronic Music
In electronic music, the bass and treble should be higher, and the mid should be reduced. It would boost the quality of the bass and sound of the music.
To achieve this on a three-band equalizer, increase the bass and treble by one or two points (+1/2) and decrease the mid by one point (-1/0).
As for a ten-band equalizer, ensure the settings look like a stretched upward curve. You would be able to achieve the best sound with this principle.
#8. Rock Music
You need to increase the bass and treble by one or two points (+1/2) while leaving the mids at their normal position (0) on a three-band equalizer.
The settings should look like a stretched upward curve for a ten or more band equalizer while the mid-range stays on zero decibels (0 dB).
#9. Heavy Metal Music
You need to increase all the ranges by at least five points on a three-band equalizer. So, for best results, the bass and mid would be (+6) while the treble would be (+5).
On the ten-band equalizer, the ranges should appear like an almost flat setting resting above the slider’s center. You can reduce the ranges a little if the sound is too loud.
What is the Best Sound Setting for a Car Equalizer?
Neutral is the best sound setting for a car equalizer because it suits every genre of music. However, you can adjust the ranges to your preferences according to the genre.
Additionally, the best settings should depend on the frequencies from the audio system installed. You should also adjust the audio output according to the number of car passengers.
For example, the audio output should balance towards the car’s front if there is rarely any passenger in the back. The audio output can extend to the rear if every side is always occupied.
Also, the best equalizer settings for car audio should perfectly combine bass and highs. So, for example, you could increase the lowest frequency slowly, then stop when the sound crackles.
Next, you should turn it down a little, so it doesn’t damage the speakers. It may seem not easy, but these principles would give you the best sound results.
What is the Best EQ Setting for Bass?
Equalizer settings between 20 Hertz and 200 Hertz should be the best for bass. Although, this range is the standard for bass settings in every equalizer.
Adjust your equalizer within this range to get the best bass sound. Adjusting the bass on the equalizer would depend on your musical needs.
Also, you would need to adjust the other musical aspects to get the best sounds, except you probably prefer heavy bass music, where you only need to increase the lower bass range.
How Do You Use Treble Mid and Bass?
You use the bass to control and activate low frequencies and block high frequencies. At the same time, you use the treble to control and access high frequencies while it blocks low frequencies.
You use the mid to balance the control between low and high frequencies. Additionally, you can use the bass and treble range for other purposes. However, it is essential to note that both ranges are opposites in functions.
The other uses of bass and treble are outlined below.
| Bass | Treble |
|---|---|
| It describes low-pitched tones effectively. | It describes high-pitched tones. |
| You can use it for C2 to C4 low tones in bass instruments. | You can use it for C7 to C10 high tones in all instruments. |
| It is best for hip-hop and electronic music. | It is best for soul and jazz music. |
What Should Be Higher Bass or Treble?
The treble should be higher than the bass in any musical genre. It would help to balance the sounds and prevent problems in the audio.
Problems like low-end rumble, vocal projection, and mid-frequency muddiness are the major reasons for making the treble higher than the bass.
The purpose of a high treble in tackling these three major problems is outlined below.
| Problems | Purpose of High Treble |
|---|---|
| Mid-frequency muddiness | Deletes muddiness resulting from bass elements at mid-frequencies. |
| Low-end rumble | Prevents the rumble resulting from bass elements at the low end. |
| Vocal projection | Raises the vocals above the bass sounds in the music. |
Conclusion
In the end, balancing the ranges on the equalizer is essential, so you don’t ruin the sound. If any range is too high, it could damage the whole sound production.
Also, it would help if you tried to implement each range individually when equalizing. Finally, it would help you to notice the difference in the sound output.
