The same volume level can sound very different depending on the person, device, and environment. Low volume or unbalanced left and right volume is not always caused by the headphones themselves—often it is related to fit, or volume settings on your phone or computer. This article explains common factors that affect volume, how to adjust settings on different devices, and troubleshooting steps for low volume or unbalanced left and right volume.

What Can Affect Headphone Volume

1. Perceived volume varies from person to person and is affected by hearing sensitivity, listening habits, and your listening environment.

2. A poor fit can cause sound leakage, making the volume seem lower.

3. Open-ear headphones make it easier to hear ambient sound. People nearby may hear a small amount of sound, and in noisy environments, ambient sound may also mask what you’re listening to—this is a characteristic of the open-ear design.

4. Your phone or computer may have a separate volume limit for Bluetooth headphones, which is a common cause of low volume.

5. Unbalanced left and right volume is usually related to your device’s audio balance settings, debris blocking the sound outlet, differences in fit between the left and right sides, or the audio source itself.

Volume Settings to Check

1. Android phones: Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the settings icon next to your connected headphones, and turn on “Sync volume with Bluetooth device” (or “Absolute volume”). If you can’t find this option, enable Developer options first: go to Settings > About phone, tap “Build number” seven times, then check under Developer options. The exact path may vary by model.

2. iPhone: Go to Settings > Sounds and Haptics > Headphone Safety, and turn off “Reduce Loud Sounds.” This feature limits the maximum headphone volume.

3. Computers: On some computers, the system volume and headphone volume are controlled separately. Turn up the computer’s volume first, then fine-tune the volume on the headphones.

4. soundcore App: Choose an EQ preset that works for you, or customize the EQ. For the exact steps, refer to the user manual of your product.

5. Hearing protection features: Some models support features such as “Maximum volume limit” and “Smart hearing protection,” which let you set a volume cap or automatically intervene when there is a sudden loud sound. Whether these features are supported and where to find them, refer to the user manual of your product.

6. Audio balance: If the left and right volume is unbalanced, check your device’s audio balance settings and make sure it is centered.

• Android: Settings > Accessibility > Hearing enhancements and screen text > Audio > Balance

• iPhone: Settings > Accessibility > Audio / Visual > Balance

• Samsung: Settings > Accessibility > Hearing enhancements > Connected audio

• Computer and playback apps: Check the left / right channel balance in both the system and the app, and make sure it is centered.

• If you move the balance to the left, the left side becomes louder and the right side becomes quieter; moving it to the right does the opposite. The exact path may vary by device model and OS version.

Usage Tips

1. In noisy environments, for models with noise cancellation, select an appropriate noise cancellation level instead of continuously increasing the volume.

2. For open-ear headphones, in quiet environments, keep the volume at 50% or below to reduce sound leakage. In noisier environments, adjust the wearing angle so the sound outlet is closer to your ear canal.

3. If you listen for long periods, take breaks as appropriate.

4. If the fit feels different between your left and right ears, try using different sizes of ear tips and ear wings on each side, and adjust the wearing angle.

Please Note:

1. Different people may perceive the same volume differently. We recommend comparing it with other headphones or speakers you commonly use at a similar volume level.

2. Open-ear headphones cannot completely prevent sound leakage. Turning on EQ or other sound effects may also change the listening experience and battery life.

Troubleshooting  

If Overall Volume is Too Low

1. Check the fit: Make sure the headphones are worn in the correct orientation. For earbuds, the sound outlet should align with the ear canal and form a good seal; for over-ear headphones, the earcups should fully cover your ears and sit snugly against your head.

2. Check device settings: Follow Section 2 to check volume settings on Android, iPhone, or your computer.

3. Check the sound outlet: Make sure the sound outlet and mesh are not blocked by debris. If needed, gently clean with a cotton swab lightly moistened with a small amount of alcohol.

4. Adjust EQ: In the app, choose an EQ preset that boosts volume, or use a custom EQ. For the exact steps, refer to the user manual of your product.

5. Check whether the volume limit feature is enabled in the app (some models). For the exact steps, refer to the user manual of your product.

6. Re-pair: Remove the headphones from the device’s Bluetooth list, then pair again, and increase the volume on both the device and the headphones.

7. Reset the headphones: If none of the above works, reset the headphones. Reset steps vary by product—refer to the user manual of your product. After resetting, you’ll need to pair again with your phone and the app, then check the volume again.

If One Side is Quieter (earbuds):

1. Gently clean the ear tips, sound outlet, and rear-chamber mesh with a cotton swab lightly moistened with alcohol.

2. Put the earbuds back into the charging case, close the lid, then open it again to restart.

3. Check your device’s audio balance and set it back to center.

4. If there is still no improvement, reset the earbuds. For specific steps, refer to the user manual of your product. After resetting, pair again and test once more.

Uneven left / right volume (over-ear headphones):

1. Test with a few different songs or videos to rule out channel issues with the audio source.

2. Move away from sources of interference such as Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens.

3. In your phone’s Developer Options, try switching the codec to SBC or AAC.

4. If there is still no improvement, reset the headphones. For specific steps, refer to the user manual of your product.

If you encounter any other issues or your issue has not been resolved, please contact us for further assistance.