Samsung Galaxy S23 Audio Settings, Dolby Atmos & Equalizer Tips (UK)

Samsung Galaxy S23 Audio Settings, Dolby Atmos & Equalizer Tips (UK)

Most Galaxy S23 users never touch audio settings. They plug in earbuds or connect Bluetooth headphones, raise the volume, and assume sound quality is already optimised.

Technically, Samsung ships the S23 with decent default tuning. But real-world listening habits across the UK show something else: inconsistent volume between apps, voices that sound flat, music that feels weak on trains, and podcasts drowned out during commuting noise.

This is where people usually go wrong.

They expect Dolby Atmos to magically improve everything, enable it once, and forget about it. But Atmos isn’t a universal fix. And equaliser adjustments that work in a quiet room often fail completely on a crowded bus or Tube carriage.

Audio optimisation on the Galaxy S23 isn’t about chasing studio sound. It’s about making audio usable in real environments.

What Users Think Is Happening

The common belief: Dolby Atmos equals better sound in every scenario.

But Atmos on phones mainly expands perceived sound space and boosts clarity depending on mode. It doesn’t magically create deeper bass or clearer dialogue in noisy surroundings.

Users toggle Atmos, hear a difference at home, then wonder why podcasts still sound weak outdoors.

Because environment matters more than settings.

And most guides ignore that.

What Actually Breaks Audio Experience Most Often

1. Wrong Dolby Atmos Mode

Atmos includes modes for movies, music, voice, and auto.

Most users leave it on Auto, which sometimes picks poorly.

Result: podcasts sound dull, music lacks punch, or dialogue feels distant.

Users blame headphones when settings are the real problem.

2. Equaliser Over-Tuning

People often boost bass and treble heavily for dramatic effect.

But exaggerated EQ settings cause distortion and listening fatigue, especially at higher volumes.

It sounds impressive for five minutes, then becomes tiring.

3. Volume Differences Between Apps

Streaming apps, social media videos, and podcasts often play at different volume levels.

Users constantly adjust volume without realising app audio processing varies.

It feels like the phone volume is inconsistent.

Technically, the apps behave differently.

Step-by-Step: Optimising Audio Settings Properly

Getting better sound doesn’t require complicated tuning.

Dolby Atmos path:
Settings → Sounds and vibration → Sound quality and effects → Dolby Atmos.

Select mode manually instead of relying on Auto.

Equaliser path:
Settings → Sounds and vibration → Sound quality and effects → Equaliser.

Adapt Sound path:
Settings → Sounds and vibration → Sound quality and effects → Adapt Sound.

Imperfection note: after updates, Atmos sometimes disables itself, and Bluetooth headphones occasionally need reconnecting for EQ changes to apply properly.

Also, EQ adjustments don’t always save instantly if audio is playing; pausing playback first helps.

Small quirks, but they confuse people.

Better approach:

  • Pick Atmos mode manually.
  • Apply small EQ adjustments only.
  • Use Adapt Sound calibration once.

Subtle tuning beats dramatic changes.

What Looks Like a Fix — But Isn’t

Maxing Out Bass

Boosting bass sounds impressive indoors.

But on busy streets or trains, bass gets masked by external noise, while speech clarity disappears.

Users then increase volume, causing distortion.

Using Only Headphone App EQ

Many headphones include companion apps with EQ controls.

Stacking headphone EQ and phone EQ often worsens sound.

Two systems trying to correct audio usually conflict.

Ignoring Adapt Sound

Adapt Sound customises frequencies to hearing sensitivity.

Most users skip it because setup seems unnecessary.

Yet it often improves clarity more than EQ tweaking.

Trade-Offs Nobody Mentions

Loudness vs Listening Fatigue

Higher volumes improve clarity in noisy places but cause faster listening fatigue.

Commuters travelling daily through London or Manchester often end up lowering volume after initial boosts.

Comfort matters long-term.

Immersion vs Awareness

Strong noise isolation improves audio quality but reduces awareness in busy environments.

Some users prefer hearing surroundings slightly for safety.

Perfect sound isn’t always practical.

Battery Impact of Wireless Audio

Bluetooth headphones combined with constant streaming drain battery faster, especially during network switching on trains between coverage zones.

Long journeys reveal this quickly.

Human Behaviour Reality: Why Settings Get Ignored Again

Common patterns appear among S23 users:

  • Settings tuned once, never revisited.
  • Audio issues blamed on headphones.
  • Volume increased instead of fixing clarity.

Even observations across device communities like AvNexo show users often abandon tuning after initial experimentation.

Defaults slowly return.

Convenience beats optimisation.

Smart Audio Tweaks That Actually Help Daily Use

For everyday UK usage, effective tweaks include:

  • Atmos set to Voice for podcasts and calls.
  • Music mode for streaming services.
  • Slight mid-frequency boost for clarity.
  • Adapt Sound calibration enabled.
  • Volume normalisation enabled inside streaming apps.

These changes improve real listening situations, not just demo impressions.

Speaker Audio Matters Too

The Galaxy S23’s stereo speakers are strong for a phone, but placement matters.

Bottom speakers get covered easily when holding the device horizontally.

Users sometimes think audio suddenly weakens.

Grip changes fix the issue instantly.

Simple, but overlooked.

When NOT to Over-Tune Audio

If you regularly switch between headphones, cars, and speakers, heavy EQ customisation becomes frustrating.

Settings perfect for one device often sound wrong on another.

Over-optimisation creates inconsistency.

Verdict: Tune for Real Environments, Not Demo Sound

The Galaxy S23 already delivers strong audio, but proper Atmos selection and mild EQ tweaks improve everyday listening significantly.

Chasing powerful bass or cinematic sound usually harms clarity in real-world UK environments.

Better audio comes from subtle correction, not dramatic enhancement.

If settings force constant readjustment, they’re wrong.

The best setup is one you stop noticing because it simply works everywhere.

Because ultimately, good audio on a phone isn’t about impressing at home — it’s about staying clear and usable when life around you gets noisy.


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