Wondering Why Is One AirPod Louder Than the Other? Find the Reasons and Solutions

Speaking from personal experience, it’s quite annoying to face issues with Bluetooth earbuds when you just want to jam to your favorite tracks. For example, I was pretty frustrated when I found my AirPods did not offer a balanced sound. That made me ask, why is one AirPod louder than the other?

One AirPod can be louder than the other because of accumulated dirt in the speaker mesh. It can also be because of the Spatial Sound, which can make you think that one earbud is louder than the other. Also, one of the AirPods can sound louder if not adjusted correctly.

The good news? You don’t need to go to a repair shop immediately. The reasons described above have easy solutions. Finding that hard to believe? You would want to keep on reading.

Clean the AirPods When One Earbud Is Louder Than the Other

Before diving deeper, let’s address a simple yet effective solution. And that would be cleaning your AirPods. Like any frequently used device, AirPods can accumulate earwax and debris around the speaker mesh. This clog can dampen sound and create an imbalance.

Want to know how you can safely clean the AirPods when one is louder than the Other? You don’t need to go through any intricate steps. Take a look:

• First, remove the ear tips. Be gentle when you’re taking them off, as it’s easy to damage them.
• Use a dry Q-tip or cotton swab to clear around the speaker mesh. Remove any visible earwax buildup that’s visible on the mesh of AirPods. Be gentle and avoid pushing any debris further inside.
• Use a soft brush to remove any remaining debris. Soft brushes should also make it easier to remove stubborn particles.

Remember, you should avoid using sharp objects like toothpicks while trying to clean the AirPods. They damage the speaker mesh, which is generally delicate in nature. If you need visual guidance, check the video attached below:

Check Whether the AirPods Have the Right Audio Balance

Sometimes, a perceived audio imbalance might not stem from the AirPods but rather from our hearing. If you suspect this might be the case, or if the cleaning didn’t fully resolve the issue, you can fine-tune the audio balance to match your needs.

Here’s how you can adjust the audio balance on your iPhone:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Navigate to Accessibility > Audio/Visual.
• Locate the Balance slider. This slider controls the volume distribution between your left and right AirPods.
• Slide the Balance slider to the left to make the left earbud louder or to the right to make the right AirPod sound louder.
• While adjusting the slider, play some audio in between. Pay close attention to the sound coming from each AirPod and check if one is louder than the other. Adjust the slider until you get a comfortable and balanced listening experience.

Remember, the ideal position for the slider might differ from person to person, depending on your hearing preferences. If your hearing is normal, only keeping it centered will offer a balanced sound.

Deactivate Spatial Audio If One AirPod is Louder Than the Other

AirPods are packed with advanced features. For example, there’s spatial audio. It simulates a surround-sound experience by dynamically adjusting audio based on head movement. While it can enhance the audio experience, you can perceive the dynamism as an imbalance.

But the good news is that you don’t need to go through any hassles to turn Spatial Audio off. Check out the steps:

• Ensure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone.
• Open the control center by swiping down from the top-right corner. For iPhones with home buttons, swipe up from the bottom.
• Long-press the volume slider.
• Press the “Spatialize Stereo” or “Spatial Audio” option.
• Choose the “Fixed” or “Off” setting based on your preference.