How do I adjust the EQ on the VMK25?
The VMK25 sounds pretty great straight out of the box. Jasse has tuned the frequency response to a point where most people are happy without touching a thing. But people are different, ears are different, and music taste is the most different of all. Sometimes you want more bass. Sometimes less. Sometimes you're listening to an audiobook and just want quiet, clear speech without any extra fluff.
So yes – it's worth tweaking the EQ. And here's how.
The VMK25 doesn't have its own EQ app
Unlike some competitor headphones, the VMK25 doesn't come with a dedicated Valco app for tweaking frequencies. That's a deliberate choice. We didn't want to slap together a half-baked app just because everyone else has one. Jasse's DSP tuning is done so that the base sound is spot-on without any adjustments.
But if you do want to tweak things, you've got options.
How to adjust the EQ
On your phone (Android and iPhone):
- Android: Settings → Sound → Equalizer (the exact path varies by manufacturer). For example, on Samsung Galaxy phones you'll find Adapt Sound in the Bluetooth settings. On Google Pixels, the EQ is right there in the sound settings.
- iPhone: Settings → Music → EQ. This only affects Apple's own Music app. Spotify and others use their own EQ settings.
- Spotify: Settings → Playback → Equalizer. Works on both Android and iPhone.
- Third-party EQ apps: For Android, there's Wavelet, which works at the system level across all apps. We recommend this if you want one EQ to rule them all.
On your computer:
- Windows: Equalizer APO + Peace GUI. Free, works at the system level. Takes a couple of minutes to install, but after that you're in full control.
- Mac: Eqmac or the built-in Audio MIDI Setup. Mac's own tools are limited, so a third-party app is practically a must.
Tips for different use cases
- Music: Jasse's base tuning is already pretty well balanced. If you want more punch, bump the 60–100 Hz range up a few dB. Don't go overboard – a couple of decibels is plenty.
- Gaming: A slight boost in the midrange (1–4 kHz) helps you hear footsteps and other details. You can drop the bass a bit to clean up the soundstage.
- Audiobooks and podcasts: Lower all frequencies slightly and leave the speech range (2–4 kHz) as the most prominent. One of our customers pointed out that pulling all frequencies down via EQ works like turning the volume down, but clearer. Smart move.
- Movies: Keep the default setting and bump the bass (50–100 Hz) just enough so explosions hit you in the chest. Flip ANC on and you've got your own home cinema.
If none of that helps
If the sound is clearly distorted, noisy, or just wrong regardless of EQ settings, it's no longer an equalizer issue. In that case:
- Try resetting the headphones – plug in the 3.5mm AUX cable and unplug it. This resets the Bluetooth circuit.
- Check that the ANC mode is correct. ANC, transparency, and ANC off all sound different.
- If you only hear noise with ANC on, check the seal of the ear cushions. Hair and glasses arms can cause leaks that make the ANC behave weirdly.
- If nothing works, drop us a message at info@valco.fi. Include your order number and a description of the problem.
And remember – the VMK25.2 is an updated version where Jasse has refined the frequency response to be even smoother. If you're considering an upgrade, it might solve the problem before it even exists. Gotta fund those child support payments somehow.
