🔥 Can You Change the EQ on AirPods Max?
Yes — with AirPods Max 2 and iOS 27, Apple now lets you customize the sound directly with a three-band equalizer.
You can adjust:
✔️ Low frequencies
✔️ Mid frequencies
✔️ High frequencies
👉 This means you can make your AirPods Max sound more bass-heavy, more vocal-focused, or brighter depending on what you like.
🚀 Quick Answer
To change AirPods Max EQ on iPhone:
✔️ Connect your AirPods Max 2
✔️ Open Settings
✔️ Tap your AirPods Max near the top
✔️ Tap Audio & Routing
✔️ Tap Equalizer
✔️ Choose Custom
✔️ Adjust Low, Mid, and High
👉 Your custom EQ is saved to the AirPods and can carry over to other paired devices. (Apple Support)
⚡ 10 Things to Know About AirPods Max EQ
Step 1: 🎧 Make Sure Your AirPods Max Are Connected
Put on your AirPods Max and make sure they are connected to your iPhone.
👉 You should see the AirPods name near the top of Settings.
If they are not connected, the EQ option may not appear.
Step 2: ⚙️ Open Your AirPods Settings
Open:
Settings → AirPods Max
Your connected AirPods usually appear near the top of the Settings screen.
👉 Tap them to open the device controls.
Step 3: 🎵 Open Audio & Routing
Inside the AirPods settings, look for:
Audio & Routing
Tap it.
👉 This is where Apple places the newer audio customization controls.
Step 4: 🎚️ Tap Equalizer
Tap:
Equalizer
Then choose:
Custom
You should now see three controls:
- Low
- Mid
- High
This is the new Custom EQ Apple added for supported AirPods. (Apple Support)
Step 5: 🔊 Adjust Low Frequencies for More or Less Bass
The Low slider controls the bass-heavy part of the sound.
👉 Raise Low if you want:
- Stronger bass
- More punch
- Fuller low-end sound
👉 Lower it if bass feels:
- Too boomy
- Too heavy
- Muddy
Make small changes first.
Step 6: 🗣️ Adjust Mid Frequencies for Vocals
The Mid slider affects a lot of vocals, guitars, podcasts, and dialogue.
👉 Raise Mid if:
- Voices sound too far away
- Podcasts need more clarity
- Vocals feel buried
👉 Lower Mid if the sound feels too forward or harsh.
Step 7: ✨ Adjust High Frequencies for Detail
The High slider controls brighter detail.
👉 Raise High if you want:
- More clarity
- Sharper detail
- Brighter sound
👉 Lower High if music feels:
- Too sharp
- Fatiguing
- Harsh at higher volume
Again, small changes usually work best.
Step 8: 🎶 Test With Music You Know Well
Do not tune EQ using a random song.
Use music you already know.
👉 Try:
- A song with strong bass
- A vocal-heavy song
- A podcast
- A movie scene
This makes it easier to hear what each adjustment is actually doing.
Step 9: 🔄 Your EQ Carries Over to Other Devices
This is one of the coolest parts.
Apple says Custom EQ settings are stored on your AirPods and carry over to other paired devices. (Apple Support)
👉 So if you tune them on your iPhone, you may not need to redo the same EQ every time you switch to another supported Apple device.
Step 10: ↩️ You Can Turn Custom EQ Off Anytime
If you do not like your changes, you do not have to manually reset every slider.
👉 Go back to:
Settings → AirPods Max → Audio & Routing → Equalizer
Then choose Recommended instead of Custom.
That returns the AirPods to Apple’s recommended tuning. (Apple Support)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change the EQ on AirPods Max?
Yes, on supported models.
Apple now supports a three-band Custom EQ for AirPods Max 2.
What does EQ mean?
EQ means equalizer.
It lets you adjust different frequency ranges to change how your headphones sound.
Can I add more bass to AirPods Max?
Yes.
Raise the Low EQ slider slightly.
Can I make voices clearer?
Yes.
Increasing the Mid range can make vocals and speech more prominent.
Does AirPods Max EQ work with Apple Music only?
The Custom EQ is an AirPods setting, not just an Apple Music preset, so it can affect compatible audio playback more broadly.
Does the EQ stay saved?
Yes.
Apple says Custom EQ settings are stored on the AirPods and carry over to paired devices. (Apple Support)
What if I do not see the Equalizer option?
Make sure:
- Your AirPods Max are connected
- Your iPhone is updated
- You have a supported AirPods model
AirPods Max 2 are specifically supported for Custom EQ. (Apple Support)
💡 Final Thoughts
This is one of the better AirPods Max 2 software upgrades because it finally gives owners more control over the sound.
Instead of being stuck with one tuning, you can now adjust:
Bass → Vocals → Treble
without installing a third-party app.
For most people, the best approach is simple:
make small adjustments → listen for a while → tweak again
Do not max everything out just because the sliders are there. 😂🎧
🎧 Related AirPods Max Guides