GoKawiilWhether you've got bat-like ears and audiophile tastes or you're starting to notice hearing decline and feel like you're missing a beat, your headphones offer more than meets the ear right out of the box. You might need to dig around a little in your headphone app or phone audio settings, but that can yield a treasure trove of hearable goodies you didn't know you couldn't live without.
Enhance your audio
Codecs determine the quality, stability and efficiency of the audio signal between your headphones and phone. It's the "language" transmitted by the Bluetooth wireless connection. Apple's hardware (iPhones, AirPods, etc.) favors AAC, which works quite well for most listeners, though it's not compatible with lossless or high-resolution audio — despite Apple Music's lossless audio streams. The Android crowd gets access to potentially better codecs like LDAC, LC3 and aptX Lossless, which can significantly boost audio quality compared to the default SBC codec.
In Android's Developer Options, you can select a higher-quality Bluetooth audio codec like LDAC. Mike Kobrin/CNET
Changing codecs in Android can differ slightly depending on manufacturer, but the general idea is to navigate to Settings > About Phone and tap on the build number seven times until you see Developer Options. There, you'll see Bluetooth audio codec options and you can choose the one you want. Audiophiles will want LDAC or aptX Lossless (not available on all models), while gamers and video buffs will appreciate the low latency of LC3 (also not universal yet). In Samsung's ecosystem, the Galaxy Wearable app offers Advanced Quality Options in the Sound Quality and Effects settings, giving you access to higher-resolution audio streaming.
Keep in mind that whichever codec you choose, both the source device and headphones must support it, and increasing audio stream quality can affect audio/video sync and battery life. Also, higher bitrate codecs like LDAC might reduce the range you can be from your phone before the audio cuts out.
The quiet part out loud
Boost soft sounds so you don't miss the quiet parts of your favorite tracks by moving the slider in iPhone's Headphone Accommodations settings or in Android's Sound Amplifier (below). Mike Kobrin/CNET
Acoustic music genres from jazz to classical tend to have a wide dynamic range, which means quiet sounds like the whispery piano/bass intro to Miles Davis' So What or the pianissimo finale to Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 can disappear, especially when listening in noisy environments. On iPhones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations, scroll down just below the Tune Audio section, and move the slider to boost soft sounds.
Mike Kobrin/CNET
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