Apple has unveiled a feature for AirPods that many have been missing since almost the first generation of headphones: Custom EQ . Now, you can manually adjust the frequency balance, rather than choosing from presets. This setting isn’t new: it brings a huge number of new features to iOS 27 , and headphone equalizer is just one of them.
Now you can adjust the sound to suit your needs.
Manual EQ in AirPods: What’s changing after the update
Apple has officially confirmed that AirPods will feature a manual equalizer . This tool offers far more control over sound than previously available. It’s not a separate button, but rather part of a comprehensive suite of software platform updates unveiled that same day.
Tweak individual parameters to suit your music and preferences
To put it simply, an equalizer adjusts the volume of individual frequencies. If you want more bass , you boost the low frequencies. If your voice lacks air, you boost the high frequencies. Previously, you had to search for this in third-party players and apps , and some simply gave up and listened to the music as is. Now everything will be right in the headphones’ settings, just a few taps from the lock screen.
Interestingly, not every new feature of the season will reach all devices at once. For example, the iPhone 17 won’t receive two Siri features due to insufficient RAM. The situation is similar with the equalizer: not all AirPods will get it.
Which AirPods support manual EQ?
And here’s an important detail. Not all headphones will receive Custom EQ , only models with the new H2 chip . According to Apple, the list includes:
Relatively new headphones now support manual equalizers.
- AirPods Pro 2 and later
- AirPods 4 – both versions, with and without noise cancellation
- AirPods Max 2
If you have AirPods purchased before fall 2024, you likely won’t have a manual equalizer. First-generation AirPods Pro and the original AirPods Max aren’t included, although adaptive sound and spatial audio still work on them. The logic is familiar: new features are reserved for devices with the latest hardware.
There’s one caveat regarding the beta. Currently, in the first iOS 27 beta , the firmware with the equalizer has been spotted on AirPods Pro 2, but it hasn’t arrived on AirPods Max 2 yet. So, in practice, the picture may differ slightly from the official list while everything is being tested.
How to enable manual equalizer on AirPods
The setting isn’t hidden very deeply, but you might not find it right away. First, update your iPhone to iOS 27 using our instructions and install the latest AirPods beta firmware .
Start by installing the beta software on all devices
This is all still in beta, so beta testers are currently seeing this new feature. The rest of the process is as follows:
And then just adjust the sound as you need.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone , iPad, or Mac.
- Insert your AirPods into your ears to see their section appear at the top of the settings. You can also access it through “Bluetooth” by tapping the “i” icon next to your AirPods.
- Select Audio & Routing, then Equalizer.
- Enable the Custom option to set your own sound profile.
- Drag the three dots responsible for low, mid and high frequencies to the desired level.
It’s convenient that the equalizer displays the waveform of what’s currently playing while you’re adjusting it. Play your favorite track or podcast and you’ll immediately hear the sound change. There’s also a quick reset to the default profile, so you won’t mess things up forever. The profile is tied to the headphones themselves , so switch to another iPhone or Mac, and your audio settings will remain.
Can’t find the item you need or something went wrong after the update? Contact us in our Telegram or MAX chat , and we’ll be happy to help.
What are the bass and treble adjustments on AirPods?
The idea here is quite simple. Different people hear and love the same track differently. Some value a tight, punchy bassline . Others value clear, intelligible vocals.
Many will customize the settings to suit their ears.
Boosting the bass adds body to music . This is most noticeable in electronic music and hip-hop, where the low frequencies carry half the track’s mood. Boosting the high frequencies, however, adds clarity to vocals and instruments. This is useful for podcasts, audiobooks, and live acoustic recordings.
Previously, AirPods owners had to simply live with the sound Apple delivered. If the bass wasn’t strong enough or, conversely, the highs were jarring, there was no way to fix it without resorting to third-party apps. Now, there’s a better way. Incidentally, the update hasn’t just shaken up the sound: we’ve already checked out how file transfers between Apple devices have changed .
Manual EQ vs. Adaptive Sound: What’s the Difference?
AirPods had audio tools before. However, they all worked automatically, without human intervention. The earbuds automatically adjust adaptive sound , spatial audio , and conversation recognition when you speak to someone.
The manual equalizer is designed differently. It’s an additional layer of customization on top of the smart modes, and it’s you, not the algorithm, who decides. It’s closer in spirit to the classic equalizer found in music apps than to Apple’s “smart” automatics, which do everything for you.
By the way, the voice assistant has also been significantly improved in this update. If you’re interested, we have a separate guide on how to enable the new Siri on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
When the Manual EQ in AirPods is Actually Useful
An interesting thing that can boost your headphones.
The equalizer is most useful for those who truly listen to music and like to tweak it to their liking. If you’re already happy with the default sound of your AirPods , you don’t need to change anything. It’s not intrusive and sits quietly in the settings until you need it.
A couple of points to keep in mind:
- For now, this is the beta version of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 ; a wider release is promised closer to autumn.
- The equalizer is three-band and quite simple: there is no fine-tuning, as with some competitors
Is it a reason to rush out and buy new headphones if your current model doesn’t support a manual equalizer ? Definitely not. The problem is that not everyone can customize everything properly and would rather stick with Apple’s default presets. If you already have AirPods, the equalizer will arrive with the update , which is great. Want to delve even deeper into AirPods sound? Subscribe to our Telegram and MAX channels , where we cover such topics in detail.
