5 tips and tricks to improve the sound quality of your TWS earphones

Let’s face it; true wireless earbuds have revolutionised how we experience audio. Gone are the days of untangling wires like it’s a daily ritual of frustration. With a tap, we’re plugged into podcasts, playlists, and calls. But for all their convenience, they often miss the mark where it counts most – sound.

You splurged on those shiny new buds, queued up your favourite track, and… the vibe just didn’t hit. Before you write them off as overhyped plastic pebbles, try these subtle, but powerful, tweaks that can dramatically elevate your listening experience.

Those default eartips? They're betraying you

The most overlooked culprit behind underwhelming audio is poor fit. Most people don’t bother changing the eartips that come pre-installed. But here’s the thing, they’re rarely the best fit for your ears. A bad seal means you’re losing bass, clarity, and that immersive feeling.

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Try every size in the box. Yes, even the one that looks comically small or ridiculously large. Better yet, consider switching to memory foam tips. They compress gently and expand to the unique shape of your ear canal, creating a snug fit that locks in the sound and keeps distractions out. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make, and you’ll feel the difference immediately.

EQ is your friend, use it

Your earbuds may sound average out of the box, but chances are, they’re hiding some serious potential under the hood. Most TWS brands now offer companion apps that come with built-in equaliser settings. This is where the magic happens. Maybe the bass is a bit much, or the vocals sound distant; don’t accept it as the default. Customise it.

Tweak the EQ to match your genre, your taste, even your mood. Want punchier treble for acoustic sets or a richer low-end for hip-hop? Go for it. This isn’t just for audiophiles; it’s for anyone who’s ever thought, “This doesn’t sound quite right”. With just a few sliders, your playlist can sound like it was mixed just for you.

Your earbuds deserve better than basic Bluetooth

Not all Bluetooth audio is created equal. Behind the scenes, your phone and earbuds use something called a codec. This is a translator, of sorts, to stream sound. The most basic one is called SBC, and while it gets the job done, it’s not doing your earbuds (or your playlists) any favours.

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But if your earbuds and phone support it, you can switch to higher-end codecs like aptX, AAC, or LDAC – and yes, it makes a difference. Android phones often let you choose the codec manually through developer settings, giving you the power to prioritise sound over simplicity. Once you make the switch, music opens up. It’s fuller, clearer, and just… better. Like swapping out a scratchy radio stream for a front-row concert seat.

Don’t stream your music like it’s 2010

Streaming platforms have levelled up, but many users don’t take full advantage. Most apps, by default, stream at medium or low quality to save data, which made sense a decade ago. Now? You’ve got cheap data, fast internet, and lossless options at your fingertips.

On Spotify, for example, you can crank the quality up to ‘Very High’ in settings. Apple Music now supports lossless audio, and YouTube Music gives you the option to prioritise sound quality over data use. If you’re spending on great earbuds, it’s only fair to feed them high-quality audio. Low bitrate streams are like serving a gourmet meal on a paper plate; the experience just doesn’t land.

Firmware updates aren’t just for bugs, they’re for better sound

This one’s almost criminally underrated. Firmware updates often include improvements to audio processing, Bluetooth stability, battery life, and even codec support. And yet, most people never bother to update their earbuds. It’s usually just a tap or two inside the brand’s companion app, and it takes less time than brewing your morning coffee.

Keeping your TWS firmware updated ensures you’re getting the best possible performance and fixes any minor issues the brand has ironed out since launch. Sometimes, it genuinely feels like a new pair of earbuds after an update with smoother connections, better sound staging, and fewer dropouts.

One final note before you blast that next track

If music matters to you, don’t settle for average. These aren’t hacks. They’re your earbuds’ cheat codes. Take a few minutes to get the fit right, boost your codec game, and tweak those sound settings. Suddenly, that same playlist you’ve heard a hundred times will feel brand new. Whether you’re zoning out with ambient lo-fi or vibing to house anthems, your audio setup deserves to be as elevated as your taste.