Brief Summary
This video discusses the lack of proper EQ settings on Apple devices, particularly the AirPods Pro 3. It examines built-in Apple Music EQs, headphone accommodations, and hearing aid/media assist features, explaining why they fall short as EQ alternatives due to their compression and non-linear adjustments. The video suggests using the Soundcheck feature as a temporary fix and emphasizes the need for Apple to provide a parametric EQ for personalized sound customization, as competitors like Sony, Bose, Nothing, and Moonrop already do.
- Apple's built-in EQ presets are too dramatic and ineffective for fine-tuning sound.
- Headphone Accommodations and Media Assist apply compression, making them unsuitable as EQ alternatives.
- Soundcheck can help reduce excessive bass and treble by normalizing volume levels.
- Apple should provide a parametric EQ for personalized sound customization, following the lead of competitors.
Intro
The video addresses the common recommendations to use Apple Music EQs, headphone accommodations, or hearing aid settings as alternatives to a parametric EQ for personalizing sound on Apple devices like the AirPods Pro. The speaker argues that these functions are often misunderstood and don't provide the desired level of customization. The video aims to explain what these functions actually do, why they are inadequate for users seeking precise sound adjustments, and what potential solutions Apple could implement.
Apple Music's (iTunes) EQs
The video examines the built-in EQ presets in Apple Music, noting that these presets have been around since the early versions of iTunes. Most of these presets are deemed too dramatic for improving the sound of audio devices, often boosting or cutting bass and treble excessively. However, the "late night" preset is highlighted as unique because it incorporates upward compression, which reduces peaks and boosts overall volume, enhancing the audibility of quiet sounds without increasing the maximum volume. While the late night EQ has a specific function, it is not a substitute for true EQ customization.
Headphone Accommodations
The video addresses the recommendation of using headphone accommodations as an alternative to EQ. This feature offers three settings: balanced, vocal range, and brightness, each with slight, moderate, and strong gradations. These settings apply compression, which brings up quiet sounds in volume. Measurements reveal that the frequency response adjustments are not significant, but the compression makes the effect sound more dramatic. The speaker emphasizes that headphone accommodations are not comparable to EQ and should not be recommended as such, especially for individuals with healthy hearing seeking tonal balance adjustments. This feature is more suitable for those with hearing impairments.
Hearing Aid/Media Assist
The video explores the hearing aid/media assist feature, which allows users to input their audiogram (hearing test results) manually. Many believed this could serve as a form of EQ, but the speaker's tests reveal that it doesn't function as a direct EQ. Applying even small differences in the audiogram settings results in a significant volume cut. Larger alterations also do not produce the expected decibel output. Similar to headphone accommodations, this feature implements compression, making it unsuitable as a precise EQ tool. The speaker concludes that while these features are beneficial for the hearing impaired, they are not replacements for EQ.
A Potential Fix
The video suggests a potential workaround using the "sound check" feature in Apple Music (or volume normalization in Spotify). This feature normalizes the volume of all music in the library, bringing louder tracks down to the level of quieter ones. For users who find the AirPods Pro 3 too heavy on bass and treble, enabling sound check can help by reducing the overall volume, which in turn triggers the AirPods' volume-dependent EQ to reduce bass and treble. While this can improve tonality, it is not a perfect solution.
The REAL Solution (That Apple Won't Give You)
The video argues that the real solution is for Apple to provide users with a parametric EQ, allowing them to personalize their sound preferences. The speaker points out that this is not computationally expensive and that Apple's own research likely supports the need for such customization. Competitors like Sony, Bose, Nothing, and Moonrop already offer EQ options, giving their customers more control over sound quality. The absence of a parametric EQ makes it difficult to recommend Apple AirPods Pro 3 for sound quality, as individual preferences vary widely.
Conclusion
The video summarizes the key points: Apple Music EQs are inadequate, headphone accommodations and media assist are not EQ alternatives due to compression, and sound check is an underrated way to reduce bass and treble. The speaker emphasizes that Apple should provide a parametric EQ to allow users to personalize their sound. The video concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more content.
