We live in a golden age of audio, where most people are now using higher quality headphones, earbuds, and speakers than ever before. Not only are some of the best headphones and speakers more popular than ever, but people have access to vast, high-fidelity streaming libraries, too. However, if you've ever put on a new pair of headphones, only to find that its default sound profile is too bassy, dull, or otherwise unenjoyable, you'll probably want to equalize, or EQ them to your liking. Equalizing, or "EQing" for short, is the process of correcting imbalances in audio frequencies. It's actually rather simple to EQ your gear, and it's something you can get better at with practice.

As an electronic musician and recovering audiophile who has spent far too many hours tuning, testing, and comparing headphones and speakers, I'm now the friend who will insist on EQing your car speakers when you give me a ride. In accordance with my personal crusade to help people get the best listening experience out of their equipment, I've decided to write the definitive guide for anyone who wants to get the most out of their speakers, headphones, or earbuds but doesn't know where to start. EQing is based heavily on personal preference, and it's more art than science, so this guide aims to give you the broad strokes of the process while also offering tips and tricks you can use to get better results in the long run. So, here's how to find the best EQ settings for speakers, headphones, or earbuds.