How to Get Tidal Equalizer to Optimize Your Sound

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By Liam Garcia

Updated on May 25, 2026 Tidal

5-Min reading

If you have switched to Tidal for its superior HiRes FLAC library, you have likely noticed a glaring omission: the app doesn't have a built-in equalizer. While competitors like Spotify offer a native EQ, Tidal has historically prioritized bit-perfect audio, delivering the music exactly as the artist intended, without software interface.

However, every room, pair of headphones, and set of ears is different. Sometimes you need a little more sub-bass or a reduction in piercing highs. This guide will show you how to implement a Tidal equalizer on any device without sacrificing that signature high-fidelity sound. Also, we will share a way to use Tidal music with any equalizer without limitations.

tidal equalizer

Part 1. Does Tidal Have Equalizer?

Unlike other streaming music services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, Tidal doesn't have a built-in equalizer because Tidal's philosophy is centered on Audio Purity. By excluding a native EQ, Tidal ensures that the audio stream isn't processed by low-quality software filters that can introduce phase shifting or digital distortion.

For audiophiles, the goal is often to hear the Master file untouched. But for the everyday listener, the lack of an EQ can be a dealbreaker, especially if your hardware has a specific sound signature that needs correcting. No matter, there are some equalizers that work with Tidal. In addition, you can use a third-party tool to convert Tidal music for using with any equalizer freely.


Part 2. How to Set a Tidal Equalizer Directly

Even though there is no equalizer on Tidal, there are some equalizer extensions, allowing you to adjust as you wish. When you listen to your music library within the Tidal web player, ou can utilize an equalizer extension to get the best effect on Tidal music. Here we recommend Equalizer for Chrome Browser to EQ your Tidal music while listening.

tidal web player with equalizer

Step 1. Visit Chrome Web Store and search for equalizers like Equalizer for Chrome Browser.

Step 2. Click the Add to Chrome button, then pin it in the top-right corner of the browser.

Step 3. Open the Tidal web player and select an album or playlist to start playing.

Step 4. Click the Equalizer icon, and it will connect the playback automatically.

Step 5. Move the slider or select a preset to EQ your Tidal music.


Part 3. How to Use Tidal Music with Any Equalizer

Sometimes, the best way to get a high-quality EQ isn't fix the Tidal app, but to use a player that was built with equalization in mind like iTunes, VLC, or Winamp. However, Tidal's encrypted files usually prevent this. This is where a tool like TunesMake Tidal Music Converter becomes helpful. It allows you to convert Tidal tracks into plain formats like FLAC, WAV, or MP3 while preserving the original audio quality and ID3 tags.

Once your music is converted, you aren't stuck using the Tidal app. You can play your Tidal music files in any media player that has a professional-grade 10-band or 31-band equalizer. By using TunesMake, you can transfer your Tidal library to devices that don't support the Tidal app but do have excellent built-in EQ, such as high-end Digital Audio Players or car stereo systems. Now follow the steps below to convert Tidal music with TunesMake.

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TunesMake Tidal Music Converter –

Download Tidal music for using with equalizer

  • Download songs, albums, playlists, and artists from Tidal without premium
  • Convert Tidal music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B losslessly
  • Handle the conversion of Tidal music up to 25× faster speed and in batch
  • Save a whole set of ID3 tags during the conversion process automatically
  • Preserve the original audio quality up to HiRes FLAC or 320kbps MP3

Security Verified. 100% Clean & Safe.

Step 1 Add Tracks from Tidal to TunesMake

Open TunesMake Tidal Music Converter, and the Tidal web player will be opened for a connection. Find an album or playlist that you want to make EQ settings. Then click the + button to add the item to the conversion list.

Step 2 Change the Output Audio Format

Once the selected content is loaded into the conversion list, click the menu icon in the upper right corner and select Preferences. In the pop-up window, switch to the Convert section. From here, you can change the output audio parameters.

Step 3 Download Tidal Music as Local Files

Click the Convert button at the bottom right corner, and TunesMake will automatically download and convert Tidal music to local files. After conversion, you can navigate to the Converted section to browse all the converted music tracks.

Free DownloadFree Download

Part 4. Best Equalizer for Tidal to Optimize Sound

With the help of TunesMake Tidal Music Converter, you can get unprotected Tidal music files for using with any equalizer. But to maintain the detail of Tidal's 16-bit or 24-bit streams, we suggest to use Subtractive EQ, instead of boosting the bass, try lowering the mids and highs slightly. Here are some highly-recommended equalizers and professional EQ settings for Tidal streaming.

Genre Goal Adjustment
Hip-Hop / EDM Sub-Bass Impact +3dB at 50Hz, -2dB at 400Hz
Rock / Metal Guitar "Bite" +2dB at 3kHz, +1.5dB at 100Hz
Jazz / Classical Air & Clarity +2dB at 10kHz, Neutral Bass
Acoustic / Vocal Warmth +1dB at 250Hz, -1dB at 5kHz

Best Equalizers for Tidal on Windows and Mac

No.1 iTunes (Windows & Mac)

As a multi-function media player, iTunes boasts the Equalizer feature to improve sound. With this powerful tool, you can fine-tune the frequency response of your audio. Whether you want to boost the bass for a party or clarify vocals for a podcast, the equalizer allows you to customize your listening experience across your entire library or for specific songs.

itunes equalizer

Key Feature:

  • Provide 10 sliders ranging from low-end bass to high-end treble

  • Include genre-specific settings like Rock and utility settings

  • Support creating and saving frequency profiles for presets

  • Allow to assign a specific EQ preset to an individual song

😀 Pros

Intuitive interface for beginners
Lots of genre-specific presets
Support the preset customization
Include Sound Enhancer

â˜šī¸ Cons

Fixed frequency bands
Digital clipping risk
Not system wide

No.2 EqualizerPro (Windows)

EqualizerPro is a user-friendly and system-wide equalizer for Windows. It is designed to enhance the audio output of your PC, whether you are listening to music, watching movies, or playing games. While it lacks the deep technical complexity of tools like Equalizer APO, it focuses on ease of use and immediate results for casual listeners.

equalizerpro

Key Feature:

  • Offer ten frequency sliders for a more tailored sound signature

  • Include a wide variety of factory-tuned presets like Rock

  • Feature a dedicated bass boost effect and a preamp slider

  • Allow users to create, save, and name their own EQ settings

😀 Pros

Clean and uncluttered interface
Low system resource usage
Quick setup for beginner
System-wide impact

â˜šī¸ Cons

Not offer free services
No version for macOS or mobile devices
Lack modern audiophile features

No.3 Equalizer APO (Windows)

For Windows users who want total control over their audio, Equalizer APO is widely considered the most powerful tool available. Unlike standard apps that only equalize their own internal sounds, Equalizer APO is a system-wide open-source equalizer that processes every bit of audio your PC produces from YouTube videos to video games.

equalizer apo

Key Feature:

  • Function as an Audio Processing Object

  • Offer an unlimited number of filters

  • Include over 5,000+ professionally measured profiles

  • Support both "Graphic" sliders and "Parametric" entry

😀 Pros

Completely free with no hidden fees
Extremely low CPU usage
High hardware correction ability
Ultra-low latency

â˜šī¸ Cons

Not work on macOS, Linux, or mobile devices
Fragile installation and steep learning curve
Conflict with Exclusive Mode

No.4 Audio Hijack (Mac)

If you are a Mac user, Audio Hijack by Rogue Amoeba is the "Swiss Army Knife" of audio routing and processing. While tools like Equalizer APO dominate Windows, Audio Hijack is the premier choice for macOS users who need to capture, record, and manipulate audio from any source, including Tidal, web browsers, and microphones.

audio hijack

Key Feature:

  • Allow users to pause, rewind, and fast-forward live audio

  • Support JavaScript scripting and integrate with the Shortcuts app

  • Include dedicated blocks to stream audios directly to servers

  • Supporting applying a 10-band or Parametric EQ to the system or app

😀 Pros

Lots of professional effects
Unmatched flexibility
Rock-solid stability
Visual workflow

â˜šī¸ Cons

Only exclusive for Mac
Not offer free services
Exclusive Mode limitations

Best Equalizers for Tidal on Android and iOS

No.1 Poweramp Equalizer (Android)

For Android users who want more than just a simple volume boost, Poweramp Equalizer is widely considered the most advanced and flexible audio engine on the platform. While Poweramp Music Player handles local files, the standalone Equalizer app is designed to work system-wide, applying professional-grade processing to apps like Tidal, YouTube Music, and Spotify.

poweramp equalizer

Key Feature:

  • Allow users to configure anywhere from 5 to 32 bands

  • Offer a true parametric mode and direct volume control

  • Include advanced audio toolkit like Compressor and Limiter

  • Support AutoEq integration and per-output presets

😀 Pros

32-band graphic EQ
System-wide flexibility
High-Res support
Visual polish

â˜šī¸ Cons

Paid software
Initial setup hurdles
Battery impact
Steep learning curve

No.2 Music Volume EQ (Android)

Music Volume EQ is a straightforward, visual-heavy equalizer for Android. It is one of the most long-standing and popular choices on the Play Store. While it doesn't offer the technical audiophile depth of apps like Poweramp or Wavelet, it is designed for users who want a classic, stereo system feel on their smartphone.

music volume eq

Key Feature:

  • Include a high-quality visualizer for live music spectrum

  • Include a high-quality visualizer for live music spectrum

  • Offer a convenient widget to toggle EQ settings

  • Support controlling the sound for Tidal simultaneously

😀 Pros

Available without a subscription
Extremely simple for beginners
Visual appeal
Low agency

â˜šī¸ Cons

Limited precision
No AutoEq
Heavy ads

No.3 Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer (Android & iOS)

If you are looking for an immersive, cinematic sound rather than just a flat frequency adjustment, Boom: Bass Booster & Equalizer is one of the most popular multi-platform solutions. Unlike surgical tools like Equalizer APO, Boom focuses on spatial enhancement, aiming to make even basic earbuds sound like a high-end surround sound system.

boom equalizer

Key Feature:

  • Offer a wide array of handcrafted presets

  • Provide a deep, resonant bass enhancement

  • Provide a deep, resonant bass enhancement

  • Support handling high-quality audio files

😀 Pros

Immersive experience
Appealing user interface
Cross-platform consistency
Great for low-end gear

â˜šī¸ Cons

Faster battery depletion
Exclusive Mode conflicts
Require a purchase or subscription

No.4 Wavelet EQ (Android)

Wavelet is a specialized audio processing app for Android, but there is no official version for iOS. It is best known for its AutoEq integration, which uses a database of thousands of professionally measured headphone profiles to automatically correct the frequency response of your specific device. It is a good way to make your headphones sound better on Android.

wavelet

Key Feature:

  • Contain over 5,000+ presets for specific headphone models

  • Offer a much more precise bass boost than standard apps

  • Support manually tweaking the sound if the AutoEq isn't quite

  • Work with some streaming music services like YouTube Music

😀 Pros

No Root Required on Android
Lightweight then most competitors
Work across almost all apps like Spotify
Offer automatic setup

â˜šī¸ Cons

Not exist for iPhone or iPad
Conflict with Exclusive Mode
Limited 9-band compared to competitor

Part 5. FAQs about Equalizer for Tidal

Does Tidal have a 10-band EQ?

No, Tidal does not have a native EQ of any kind. You must use third-party software like Equalizer APO on a Windows PC or SoundSource on a Mac to get 10-band EQ for Tidal.

Will using an EQ lower my Tidal audio quality?

If you use a high-quality Parametric EQ and avoid Clipping, the impact on quality is negligible compared to the benefit of a better sound profile.

Does Tidal's Loudness Normalization affect the EQ?

Loudness Normalization keeps all songs at the same volume level. It does not change the frequency of your Tidal music, so it can be used alongside an external EQ without issues.


Part 6. Conclusion

While a native Tidal equalizer remains absent, you have plenty of paths to the perfect sound. You can either stay within the ecosystem by installing an extension or using system-wide tools like Captune or Amarra Luxe. Or you can use TunesMake Tidal Music Converter to move your Tidal music library into a professional media player where the EQ possibilities are limitless.

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