Sony XM4 Equalizer Settings Explained

The EQ settings on the Sony XM4 headphones offer a great way to customize your listening experience. Once you understand the different frequency ranges and experiment with different presets and custom settings, you can create a sound that works best for you.

This guide explains the Equalizer (EQ) settings on the Sony XM4 headphones.

Sony XM4 Equaliser Settings Explained in Detail

By tweaking the EQ settings, you can act like an audio expert by boosting or cutting frequencies on your audio file to ensure you get the best sound. Lets get right into everything you need to know about this feature.

1. Understanding the EQ Settings

Before we talk about the specific settings, lets check out the frequency ranges that the EQ settings affect:

• 20Hz – 60Hz: The low-frequency range that affects bass and sub-bass sounds.
• 60Hz – 250Hz: The mid-frequency range that affects the lower-midrange and mid-bass sounds.
• 250Hz – 4kHz: The midrange frequency range that affects the vocals and most instruments.
• 4kHz – 20kHz: The high-frequency range that affects treble and higher-pitched sounds.

With this in mind, let’s look at the different EQ settings available on the Sony XM4 headphones.

2. The Different EQ Settings 

There are several EQ presets available on the Sony XM4 headphones, including:

• None: This is the default setting, with no EQ adjustments applied.
• Bass Boost: This preset boosts the low-frequency range, giving you a more bass-heavy sound.
• Vocal: This preset boosts the midrange frequency range, making vocals and instruments stand out more.
• Treble Boost: This preset boosts the high-frequency range, giving you a brighter, more treble-heavy sound.
• Speech: This preset boosts the midrange and high-frequency range, making speech and dialogues easier to hear.
• Ambient Sound Control: This preset is designed to enhance the sound of your surroundings, making it easier to hear ambient noises like traffic or conversations.
• Custom: With this preset, you can create your own EQ settings by adjusting the different frequency ranges.

3. Using the EQ Settings 

To use the EQ settings on the Sony XM4 headphones, follow these steps:

• Turn on your headphones and connect them to your device.
• Open the Sony Headphones Connect app on your device.
• Select the “Equalizer” option.
• Choose one of the preset EQ settings or create your own custom EQ settings.
• Adjust the sliders for each frequency range to your desired levels. You can boost or cut each frequency range by up to 10 dB.
• Save your custom EQ settings by tapping the “Save” button.
• Apply your chosen EQ settings by tapping the “Apply” button.

4. Tips for Using EQ Settings 

Here are a few tips for using EQ settings on the Sony XM4 headphones:

• Experiment with different EQ presets and custom settings to find the sound that you like best.
• Remember that EQ settings are personal and subjective, so don’t be afraid to adjust them to your liking.
• If you’re not sure where to start, try the “Vocal” or “Speech” preset, as they are designed to enhance dialogue and vocals.

Best Equalizer Settings for Sony XM4

Below are some general tips to help you find the best equalizer settings for your Sony XM4 headphones:

• Start with the “None” preset and listen to a variety of music genres to get a baseline of how the headphones sound.
• Try out the different presets and see if any of them improve the sound for the type of content you’re listening to. For example, if you’re watching a movie or TV show, the “Speech” preset might be a good option to make dialogue clearer.
• Use the custom EQ setting to adjust the frequency ranges to your liking. For example, if you want more bass in your music, try boosting the low-frequency range. If you want more clarity in vocals and instruments, try boosting the midrange frequency range.
• Be careful not to boost any frequency range too much, as it can cause distortion and reduce the overall sound quality.
• Save your custom EQ settings so you can easily apply them again in the future.

How to Get the Best Sound Out of Sony XM4 headphones

This guide should help you get the best sound out of your Sony XM4 headphones:

Step 1: Make Sure Your Headphones Are Properly Fitted

Before you start listening, make sure your headphones are properly fitted. This means adjusting the headband and ear cups to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. A good fit will help improve sound quality and reduce external noise.

Step 2: Adjust the EQ Settings 

As mentioned previously, you can boost or cut certain frequencies on the EQ settings to adjust the sound to your personal preferences. 

Start with the “None” preset and adjust the frequency ranges to your preferences using the custom EQ settings. 

Step 3: Use High-Quality Audio Files 

To get the best sound quality out of your headphones, go for high-quality audio files. High-quality files will have a higher bitrate and better sound resolution than lower-quality files. Use lossless formats like FLAC or ALAC, or high-quality MP3s.

Step 4: Optimize Your Device Settings 

Ensure that your device settings are optimized for the best sound quality. For example, on an iPhone, go to Settings > Music > EQ and make sure it’s set to “Off” so that the EQ settings on your headphones are the only ones being used. On Android devices, look for any audio enhancement settings and make sure they’re turned off.

Step 5: Reduce External Noise 

External noise can affect the quality of the sound you hear from your headphones. Use the noise-canceling feature on your XM4 headphones to block out external noise. You might always want to try listening in a quiet environment to further reduce external noise.

Step 6: Adjust Volume Appropriately 

It’s important to adjust the volume appropriately to protect your hearing and ensure the best sound quality. The Sony Headphones Connect app has a “Safe Volume” feature that limits the maximum volume to a safe level.