The Problem
Your $300 headphones ship with frequency imbalances - recessed mids, bass peaks up to 12 dB at 7 kHz, artificial treble spikes manufacturers add for "detail." Most users never touch the equalizer. That's leaving performance on the table.
What Actually Works
Equalizers adjust specific frequency bands to correct these imbalances. A three-band EQ (lows/mids/highs) is too blunt - boosting "lows" raises everything from 16-512 Hz, creating mud. A 10-band EQ targets precise frequencies: 60 Hz for kick drum punch, 910 Hz to cut tinny mids, 8 kHz for clarity.
The math matters. Adjustments of ±6 dB cause drastic shifts. Safer approach: +3 dB at 64 Hz with ±1.5 dB flanking at 32/125 Hz to avoid distortion. Windows users get system-wide, zero-latency EQ via Equalizer APO with Peace GUI. Mobile platforms vary - some premium earbuds include app-based parametric EQ, others cap you at three bands.
The Catch
Presets from sources like Oratory1990 optimize specific models using measurements against targets like the Harman Curve. But they're starting points, not universal solutions. Your hearing (adults lose sensitivity above 16 kHz), room acoustics, and content type all affect results.
SonarWorks offers calibration databases for headphones and speakers. Forums report mixed outcomes - some users get clearer vocals, others introduce clashing frequencies. Overuse causes clipping and distortion.
What This Means
For enterprise deployments - conferencing headsets, AV installations - EQ can correct known hardware limitations without hardware replacement. But it requires measurement, testing, and documentation. Some manufacturers argue their tuning (V-shaped "fun" curves) works fine without adjustment. History suggests most users accept default sound profiles.
The real question: Does your use case justify the time investment? For critical listening environments, yes. For general use, manufacturer defaults often suffice. We'll see if AI-driven auto-calibration changes this - several vendors are testing it.