The YouTube It's the ultimate source for songs and videos. Whenever I want to listen to music (which is most of the time), I turn to YouTube's massive archive. From old classics like "The Sound of Music" to crazy new hits like Imagine Dragon's "Believer," it never fails to satisfy my playful mood needs.
All I need to do is play a song of my choice, and the dynamic algorithms will take care of the rest. While I love YouTube's vast library of music and videos, one thing I'm terribly missing is equalizer support.
YouTube is one of the world's most popular video services, but it doesn't allow us to customize the audio output to our liking. That's the problem.
Well, two extensions for Firefox and Chrome let you boost your audio quality by adding equalizer support. And the best part is, if you know your way around graphic equalizers, they're easy to use.
- Note: Adding more than one equalizer can affect the overall sound output. Therefore, be sure to install one at a time and test.
1. EQUALIZER FOR YOUTUBE FOR CHROME AND FIREFOX
First on our list is the aptly named Equalizer for YouTube. This extension modifies the volume of YouTube videos and even works on videos embedded in websites and blogs.
Supported in multiple browsers, if you are someone looking to modify audio without putting in a lot of effort, this is a must-have tool.
After installing it, a small equalizer icon will appear under the video title. Simply click on it, and you'll see all the presets. All you have to do is select one from the list to experience a subtle change in the music output.
You don't have to do anything else; just click "Play" and enjoy. When it comes to EQ control, Equalizer for YouTube is basic at best. It doesn't have any bandwidth control and doesn't allow you to save any custom settings. Additionally, preset titles are difficult to read in dark mode.
Unfortunately, in embedded videos, you won't find the option to switch to other modes. You'll have to open a YouTube video to adjust the settings. Also, if you're in a band, you should definitely give the Game of Thrones theme a try with 2CELLOS.
If the audiophile in you is looking for an extension with a band equalizer, we have another extension for you.
2. PROFESSIONAL EQUALIZER – CHROME
If you want a 10-band equalizer, Professional Equalizer is the best option. This extension looks polished and lets you customize the output to your liking. The good news is that it also works well on Spotify and Google Music web players, with the exception of YouTube.
Additionally, there's a simple on/off switch to turn the equalizer on and off. If you're an audiophile, you can start by raising the sliders on the left and lowering the sliders on the right slightly. Remember, a light dial here and a gentle pull can help you improve the sound by several folds.
Aside from the bands, there are ten EQ presets you can experiment with. My only gripe is the ugly green background of the presets menu. Not only is it distracting, but it also makes the names difficult to read.
To use this extension, open a website (YouTube or Spotify) of your choice and click the Capture this Tab button. This will activate the tool on the current tab. Now, drag the sliders by song type. Yes, you can thank me later.
- Tip: Did you know that you can deactivate extensions on Chrome? Right-click on the specific extension icon and select "Manage extensions" from the menu. Now, toggle the switch to Off.
3. Audio Equalizer (Firefox)
The Audio Equalizer follows the same path as the Professional Equalizer and packs a 10-band EQ. It also features a number of presets to make your work easier. The bands work just like the other settings; you just have to find the right combination for you.
The amazing thing is that you can define your own presets and save them for later reference. To do this, click the first drop-down menu and select Save after making your changes.
This tool can easily save two presets. Whenever you need to save a new one, just click Save As.
The Audio Equalizer has two other options, Mono and Snap. Although the changes occur in real time, there's also a dedicated refresh button that reloads the current page. This is useful in case things break one day.
4. Equalizer and Amplifier (Firefox)
Another simple yet functional extension is the Audio Equalizer and Amplifier from Lunu. Packing in the usual bells and whistles like a 10-band EQ and preset presets, the extension keeps it simple.
After installing it on the status bar, you should click to select different profiles and experience the difference in sound output.
What sets it apart from the aforementioned extensions is its features. You can customize it and save it with different names to suit your various moods. Just adjust the settings and click the "Add New Profile" button.
Get Audio Equalizer and Amplifier
Personalize your music experience
Sound settings are highly subjective. Therefore, a preset may or may not work for most songs. Therefore, the ideal scenario is to get your hands on an easy-to-use tool and adjust it to your liking. After all, there has to be a way to justify that expensive pair of headphones you recently purchased.
