How to Use “Adapt Sound” on the Galaxy S7 and S8 for Better Sound Quality

Samsung’s build of Android Nougat has an incredible new feature that allows users to completely customize their listening experience based completely off their ears. It’s called Adapt Sound, and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Adapt Sound?

Look, everyone’s ears are different. What sounds good to me may sound bad to you, and vice versa. Pair that with the fact that most music has so many layers that there are likely a lot of details lost in the mix, and you have the need for a custom sound profile, which is exactly what Adapt Sound is.

In short, it’s Samsung’s way of providing a truly custom listening experience for all S7 and S8 users running the Nougat update, as Adapt Sound configures a sound profile according to your specific needs. It does this by using a series of beeps in each ear—most of which are very quiet—and asks you if you can hear them. It then uses this info to build a custom sound profile that aims to provide the perfect balance between each ear. The whole process only takes about a minute (or so). It’s brilliant.

How to Use Adapt Sound

Using Adapt Sound is incredibly simple. First, connect some headphones, then navigate to the Settings menu by giving the notification bar a tug and tapping the gear icon.

NOTE: Headphones have to be connected to even check out Adapt Sound. The menu won’t even open otherwise.

From there, choose “Sounds and Vibration.”

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and choose “Sound quality and effects” under Advanced section.

The last option in this menu should read “Adapt Sound.” Tap that.

Now, there are a few options here. The first three presets are generalized settings, which are designed based on age:

Preset 1: Optimized for people under 30.

Preset 2: Optimized for people between 30 and 60.

Preset 3:  Optimized for people over 60.

Now, you’re welcome to choose the one according to your age and run with it. It will probably make your listening experience better.

But in order to really see the benefit of Adapt Sound, you want the bottom option: Personalized Sound. This is where things get really good.

When you open this menu, you’ll get a strict set of instructions: Go to a quiet place, put in your headphones, and start the test. I can’t stress enough how important that first option is—if you’re not in a quiet environment, don’t even bother messing with Adapt Sound until you are. Seriously.

Once the process starts, it will tell you to “listen carefully,” then ask if you hear the beeps. Generally, they’re in one ear or the other, but not both. Simply tap Yes or No accordingly if you do/don’t hear the beep.

You’ll do this for a minute or so, and you can watch the equalizer change for each ear as you progress through.

Lastly, you’ll answer which ear you prefer to take phone calls in. If you choose left, I don’t understand what you’re doing with your life.

After that, your personalized sound profile will be tailored to your ears. You can easily compare the difference by playing some music, then toggling the Personalized Sound option. It should be pretty dramatic, with the personalized option offering a fuller, more defined sound.

You can also take that comparison a step further but tapping the Preview button in the Personalized Sound menu. This will let you hear the difference for each ear independently, as well as both at the same time. First, tap the “Personalized” button, then tap the “Original” button to hear the difference. Boom.

Now, enjoy some music.

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How to Add a Sound Device to a Computer

Computers use sound cards to connect sound devices such as audio mixers, recorders, and speakers. You can connect all of these to your computer wirelessly. Some devices come with a “Bluetooth” option, which makes for nearly instant connection to your computer.

Method #1

Connecting with Bluetooth

1. Go into your start menu. Click the start menu on the bottom left side of your desktop. Click the settings option on the right side of your menu.

2. Click “Devices.” This is the second option in your menu. It says “Bluetooth, printers, mouse” underneath it.

3.  Choose “Bluetooth.” On the left side of your menu, your third option down is “Bluetooth.” Click this and then turn your Bluetooth on by clicking the button next to “Off.” If it is already on, skip this.

4. Wait until the device is discovered. If your device is on and within range, it will pop up on the screen. Simply click on the device to activate the Bluetooth.

If your computer is having trouble discovering your device, try turning both the device and your Bluetooth off and back on.

Method #2

Adding A Sound Device without Bluetooth

1. Turn your device on. This will make it pop up on your devices menu. If you have to plug it into your computer, you should do it before trying to add the device. There will either be a USB port that connects directly to your computer, or an audio cord that you can plug directly into your headphone jack.

2.  Go into your start menu. Click the start menu on the lower left corner of your desktop background. This is the menu you use to open any application on your computer.

3. Find your control panel. In your start menu, you will have an option called “Control Panel.” Click this. For windows 8, it is on the right side of your menu toward the top. For windows 10, your control panel is the blue box on your desktop.

* If you’ve gotten rid of the control panel from your desktop, you can click settings from your start menu. Once in the settings menu, click “Devices.” This is your second option in the menu. Next, choose “Connected devices” on the left side of your screen. Finally, scroll down and click “Devices and printers.” If you found the devices this way, skip the next step.

4. Click “Hardware and Sound.” In the menu that you just opened, there will be an option titled “Hardware and Sound.” Next to it, there is an icon of a printer and a speaker.

5. Click “Add a device.” This will be a blue link at the top left of your menu. When you click this, a screen will pop up. This will show all the devices that your computer found when it scanned for devices.

* If you can’t find the device, try turning it off and back on. Then repeat the scan. In other words, make your device “discoverable.”

6.  Enter your WPS PIN. A window will appear that asks for this PIN. You won’t be allowed to proceed without entering it. This PIN was on the information that you received when you bought the device. It is a combination of letters and numbers and is case sensitive. Some audio devices won’t require this. Once you enter this, your device will connect to your computer.

Method #3
Adding to a Mac

1. Open the AudioMIDI setup application. To do this, go into your “Go” menu. This is the 5th option to the right on your top home bar. When this opens, scroll down to “Utilities.” It is your 10th option down. When you do this, 2 lists will appear in a new menu. AudioMIDI can be found on the left one, about half way down.

2. Click (+). This is the Add button. You can find it on the bottom left corner of your Audio Devices screen. A dropdown menu will appear. There will be two options to choose from. Choose “Create Aggregate Device,” it will be your first option.

* Aggregate devices are virtual audio interfaces that works with your system. It helps you connect the inputs and outputs of one or several audio tools connected to your Mac.

3. Click your device. Your new aggregate device will pop up on the left side of the screen when you select this option. If you wish to re-name it, you simply double-click and it will let you edit it.

4. Enable “Use.” With your new device selected and named correctly, select it. With it selected, enable the checkbox labeled “Use.” This is on the left side of your window.

* Check multiple boxes if you wish to enable multiple aggregate devices. The order in which you enable them will represent the order of inputs and outputs in your applications menu.

5. Connect the clocks. Your aggregate devices will have built in clocks and the programs are time sensitive because they document the things that you use them for. Combine them to work under one clock by selecting one device as your master clock. At the top of your screen you’ll see an option that says “Clock Source” and has a menu to it. Click on the option you wish to make your master clock.

* If you know of one to be more reliable than the others, go with that clock.

6.  Use your device. Once you’ve completed these steps, go back into your Audio MIDI and right click  (or CNTL-click) the device you wish to use. A menu will again pop up and you can choose to use this device for either input or output.

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