How to Make Wireless Speakers Sound Better! Tips and Tricks
Introduction
Fun fact: Not all wireless speakers sound the same. Some are louder, some are better at delivering bass, and some just sound better than others. But the great news is that you can do a few things to improve your current setup or find a new speaker that sounds even better.
Today, we'll show you how to make your current wireless speaker sound its best by ensuring everything is connected properly, bypassing any unnecessary splitters or switches between devices, and ensuring nothing is blocking the speaker's path for maximum volume and improved sound quality.
Check your Bluetooth Connection
Check your Bluetooth connection - This may sound obvious, but connecting your device is where you get started. If you feel like you have a bad sound quality or your music is cutting out, try removing your speaker from your device and re-pairing or reconnecting. Sometimes, gremlins can be solved just by going through the setup process again.
Ensure the speaker has power - Another strange thing is that some wireless speakers’ sound quality can be negatively affected by low power or bad power connections. Low power on a battery system tends to decrease range, whereas main power fluxations can cause interference.
Check that the volume is turned on in the settings on any compatible device; this includes both speaker and phone (or tablet). - Some speakers via Bluetooth do not allow you to control the volume using your source device (computer or phone) you have to use the included remote or get up and adjust the device itself to increase the volume.
Check the audio output settings on your device.
Check the settings on your device - This can be as simple as enabling higher-quality streaming over Bluetooth or wireless in your device’s connectivity settings. Depending on your connection to the internet, some devices throttle audio quality depending on whether you are on data or connected to wifi.
Check the settings on the speaker - Some speakers allow for connections via Bluetooth or streaming over wifi. Some speakers take prompts from your source device to connect directly to the internet and stream music. Depending on your speaker, read the instruction manual on optimally setting up your connections.
Check the settings on the app - Apps like Spotify, Deezer, and Tidal all have options for what quality you want to stream your music. As mentioned above, this is usually to conserve data. Some higher end Bluetooth and Wireless speakers like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 have their own app that allows you to control the sound.
Use Alternative Methods of Connectivity for the Highest Quality Audio
If you have a wireless speaker, you can connect it to your TV or another audio output device with one of the following:
The auxiliary input cable on your speaker.
The headphone jack on your speaker (if it has one).
RCA or optical audio inputs are located on your receiver or amplifier that connects to an external sound system through the corresponding ports on the equipment's backside.
A USB connection between the wireless speaker and an external source such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet for instant music playback via Bluetooth technology.
There are numerous benefits when using a wired connection vs. a wireless one, including higher quality bitrates as well as support for MQA, etc. That doesn’t mean you are turning your wireless speaker into a wired one (essentially). Many users have a receiver device permanently connected to their speakers, which they can control from their smartphone. This allows users to achieve the highest quality sound, not directly tethered to the speaker.
Make Sure Nothing is Blocking the Speaker's Sound
The sound will be muffled if you have a lot of stuff in the way. Don’t have anything blocking the front of your speaker. If you don’t want to move things around, consider using a longer base station instead of a smaller one. Also, ensure nothing else interferes with the signal between your speaker and device (such as walls or heavy objects).
Many users put their wireless speakers on bookshelves or tables filled with other items. The truth is different materials have different acoustic properties. Soft cushions or couches will absorb sound, and hard surfaces like books and walls will reflect. Wireless speakers are tuned with optimal environmental conditions in mind, and putting anything in the way affects sound quality.
If you are using an expensive audiophile setup, then maybe it’s worth investing in proper room planning to get the most out of your speakers. However, even on a budget, the listening experience can be improved dramatically by clearing space around your speaker.
Take Advantage of Inbuilt Presets
Now, in 2023, many speakers come with inbuilt preset tuning buttons. These are often marked is some way as voice, bass, and treble optimized, although the exact wording may differ from brand to brand. While such a button will not be an adequate substitute for a real EQ, it can be very helpful in a punch.
Perhaps you are listening to rock and enjoying the sound, but when you switch to bass-heavy music such as EDM, Rap, and Pop, you want to have a bit more punch to the sound. In this case, a quick and easy solution for better sound from your Bluetooth speaker would be to hit that bass button.
I use this a lot on my Tribit Xsound (in my opinion, the best-sounding portable speaker) when switching from music to podcasts. In this scenario, I use the prebuilt voice EQ, which adds more clarity and makes it easier to understand the speakers.
Some Extra Tips For Improving Sound Quality Of Wireless Speakers
If you have a wireless speaker, try to position it next to a wall. This will help the bass sound more powerful and give the music more depth.
Using an app like Spotify or Tidal, use the highest quality codecs possible (e.g., APTX). Codecs are audio file formats that often determine how good your device is at encoding and decoding audio files without losing quality. For example, if you use MP3s on an iPhone with built-in earbuds, they won’t sound great, but if you use AAC files with higher bitrates, they can sound pretty decent!
Don’t use poor-quality source files from YouTube, Soundcloud, etc! They will only make things worse for your listeners, so either upload better versions of those songs yourself or go for higher-quality audio file formats and downloads (e.g., ALAC lossless formats).
Don’t be tempted to blow out the sound. Most Bluetooth speakers are optimal in audio reproduction in the 60-80% volume range. Excessive volume will only distort the audio and introduce unwanted effects like clipping. When buying a speaker, it’s a good idea to consider buying one “too loud.” You can dial it back and listen to the sweet spot.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful and that it goes some way to improving the sound quality of your wireless audio setup. There are a few factors that, if considered, can significantly enhance the listening experience and make your music sound even better.
Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or tips.
