A Follow Up To My (Only Galaxy Buds4 Pro Review You Need). More In Depth About The Sound Quality.
Hey everyone, it’s me Rave again!
First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everyone who upvoted, shared, or replied to my review. I honestly didn’t expect it to get that much attention. I thought maybe a few people would see it here and there, but the response genuinely surprised me, so again, thank you guys so much!
Today I wanted to do a follow-up to my review, but more importantly, I want to go even deeper into the sound quality of the Buds4 Pro. This is still something that gets talked about a lot, so I want to explain my thoughts in more detail while also talking about the EQ I made for them. Quite frankly, I believe this is the best and most definitive EQ for the Buds4 Pro because it unlocks their full potential without destroying what already makes them special.
There won’t be a TLDR this time because I feel like that would overlook too many important details. If you really want to understand the sound and the EQ, I recommend reading the whole thing. I originally wanted to make a video about this, but I had some things to take care of, and then on Sunday I had a power outage which was super annoying lol.
Anyways, let’s begin!
Software Update
Let’s start with the newest software update. I believe the latest software version, R640XXU0AZD2/R640XXU0AZD2, improved Ambient Sound Mode quite a bit in my experience.
In my original review, I said Ambient Sound really wasn’t the best, but after this update I noticed the hearing protection activates far less often and the overall volume seems slightly louder. That is great because now I can listen to music at a reasonable volume while still being able to talk to people naturally. ANC for me is still mostly the same, which is a good thing because the ANC was already way better than the Buds3 Pro. I still think it can improve even further, but overall it is already really good, and hopefully future updates keep making it better.
I also want to clarify something because yes… I did get something wrong lol. The hissing sound and some of the other Ambient Sound issues I mentioned are not present on every model. Some people say they don’t experience those problems at all, while others like myself still do. So everyone’s experience may vary a bit. As a whole though, Ambient Sound after this update is genuinely good now. I still think the Buds3 Pro have slightly more natural Ambient Sound overall, but this update definitely closed the gap.
Samsung themselves mention in the update notes: “These changes may vary depending on the model, country, or network operator of the customer environment.” So that is also important to keep in mind.
Thankfully, the sound quality itself has not been changed, and that leads into the main topic…
Sound Quality
As I said in my review, the stock sound is truly great. But I want to make something clear right now: the Buds3 Pro and Buds4 Pro do sound different. It is not just an opinion. They have different sound profiles and different strengths. I’m honestly tired of seeing comments saying they sound the same because they really don’t. Both are good, but the Buds4 Pro have an overall better sound in my opinion. I already talked about this in my review, but now I want to go deeper into how I created my EQ and why I believe it is the best.
You see… I’m a music enthusiast. I love music. I surround myself with music every day, and I listen to many genres because I truly view music as an art form. Jazz, hip hop, rap, R&B, soul, Latin, pop, acoustic, orchestral, and more. I don’t like limiting myself to one genre because I feel like you miss out on so much. So while listening to the Buds4 Pro for hours, days, and weeks, I really started to understand what makes their sound signature special. I also looked at frequency graphs from people like Crinacle, Aaron x Loud and Wireless, and others to get a better visual idea of what I was hearing. So then I asked myself.
How can I make these sound even better?
How can I improve the stock tuning without ruining it?
How can I make an EQ that works for all genres?
That was much harder than I expected. It required a lot of listening, testing, and putting aside my own personal bias. I didn’t want to just make the earbuds sound like what I personally like. I wanted to find their small weak points and improve them while keeping their original identity alive.
That is why all of the presets besides Balanced are terrible. Presets like Dynamic can sound exciting at first, but after longer listening, I feel like they start changing the Buds4 Pro into something else. They can make the highs too sharp, the bass too thick, or the mids less natural.
The Testing Process
For testing, I used my favorite songs playlist on Spotify. It has over 600 songs and a runtime of 31 hours and 1 minute. Yeah… that is a LOT of music lol. I know Apple Music technically has better quality, but Spotify is what many people actually use, and now that Spotify has lossless, I’ve been very satisfied with it. I listened to that playlist many times. Not just casually either. I replayed certain songs constantly because there are some tracks I know extremely well. I tested different genres, different mixes, different volumes, and different EQ changes.
One major challenge is that every song is mixed differently. Some songs are bright, some are bass heavy, some are quiet, and some are extremely loud. For example, Michael Jackson’s Thriller album is mixed beautifully and has amazing detail, but compared to many modern albums, it is pretty quiet. You usually have to raise the volume more to hear everything clearly.
That matters because louder audio often tricks your brain into thinking it sounds better. So I had to test at different volume levels to make sure the EQ was actually improving the sound and not just making things seem better because of loudness. Also yes, the Buds3 Pro do sound louder overall. But loudness alone does not equal better sound quality. Louder can be more exciting, but that does not automatically mean more detailed, more balanced, or more natural.
After hours, days, and weeks of testing, I finally created what is the best EQ for the Buds4 Pro:
63Hz: +4
125Hz: +1
250Hz: +0
500Hz: +1
1kHz: +0
2kHz: +0
4kHz: +1
8kHz: +2
16kHz: +2
Bass: 63 +4, 125 +1, 250 +0
Bass is important, but it can also be overdone very easily. Too much bass can make music sound muddy, bloated, or boomy. Not every song benefits from huge bass either.The stock Buds4 Pro already have good bass, but in some songs they can lack a little bit of the weight and punch that the Buds3 Pro have. At first I thought maybe it was just me because some graphs show similar bass response, but after looking at more measurements and listening more carefully, I noticed the Buds3 Pro do have a little more bass impact.
However, the more I listened, the more I realized something important. The Buds3 Pro may hit harder, but the Buds4 Pro have cleaner and more detailed bass. You can hear more texture, better separation, and more detail in the low end. Instead of the bass just hitting hard, the Buds4 Pro let you hear the shape and detail of the bass. In Latin music, for example, when a tuba is used as the bass, the Buds4 Pro let you hear the brassiness, vibration, and air of the instrument more clearly. In jazz, upright bass sounds more realistic and textured. In hip hop and R&B, you can hear the difference between the kick drum and subbass instead of everything blending into one big hit.
So the goal was simple: add more impact without ruining the detail.
63Hz is where the deep subbass lives. This is the rumble, the physical feeling, and that cinematic low-end energy. I boosted it to +4 because it gives the Buds4 Pro stronger punch and depth while still keeping the sound clean. Anything higher started affecting the balance too much and pulled attention away from the mids.
125Hz is more of the main bass body. I only raised it to +1 because too much in this area can make music sound thick or muddy. That small boost gives kick drums and bass guitars a little more fullness without overpowering the mix.
250Hz is where I think a lot of EQs ruin the Buds4 Pro. This area adds warmth and body, but too much can make music sound boxy or muffled. Too little can make vocals and instruments sound thin. I think Samsung tuned this area almost perfectly, so I left it at +0.
With these settings, the bass becomes a better version of the stock tuning. The 63Hz setting is the one I think people can customize the most. If +4 is too much for you, try +2 or +3. Personally, +4 is the sweet spot because it brings back the punch while keeping the Buds4 Pro’s clean detail and separation.
Mids: 500 +1, 1k +0, 2k +0
The mids are the star of the show. Mids are where most of the music lives. Vocals, guitars, pianos, strings, synths, saxophones, and many instruments mainly live in the midrange. This is why mids are so important. A lot of earbuds use a V-shaped sound where the bass and treble are boosted while the mids are pushed back. At first that can sound exciting, but over time vocals can feel distant, instruments lose realism, and music loses emotion.
The Buds4 Pro are technically somewhat V-shaped too, but somehow Samsung pulled it off beautifully. The mids sound natural, clear, emotional, and centered. In my opinion, these are the best mids I have heard on wireless earbuds. Vocals sound like they are right in front of you. Instruments have their own space. Guitars sound rich, pianos have weight, strings sound smooth, and vocals are honestly sublime. You can hear breaths, vocal layers, small tone changes, and emotional details that other earbuds sometimes smooth over. This is especially noticeable in R&B, soul, jazz, acoustic music, and anything vocal-focused. Male vocals sound full and rich, while female vocals sound clean and emotional without becoming harsh.
The mids were already so good on stock tuning that I barely wanted to touch them. The only change I made was 500Hz +1. 500Hz adds vocal richness, instrument fullness, warmth, and emotional weight. A small +1 brings vocals and instruments slightly more forward without ruining the natural balance. But this was one of the hardest frequencies to tune because too much makes the sound congested and vocals can start overpowering the mix. 1kHz and 2kHz stayed at +0 because there was simply no reason to change them. These areas control a lot of vocal presence, clarity, and instrument definition. Increasing them too much can make vocals shouty or sharp. Lowering them can make music lose energy. Samsung already did a great job here.
Compared to the Buds3 Pro, the Buds4 Pro mids sound more centered, natural, emotional, and realistic. The Buds3 Pro mids can sound a little more recessed behind the bass and treble. The Buds4 Pro focus more on the soul and life of the music…the mids.
Treble / Highs: 4k +1, 8k +2, 16k +2
Treble is where a lot of EQs go too far. Many presets boost the highs too much to create a fake sense of detail. At first it sounds exciting, but after longer listening it can become harsh, sharp, and fatiguing. Cymbals can become piercing. Vocals can sound sibilant. Instruments can lose smoothness. Brightness is not the same thing as real detail. The stock treble on the Buds4 Pro is already very good. It is smooth, detailed, and not painful, which is something many earbuds struggle with. But after deeper listening, I felt there was still room to add a little more air, space, and sparkle.
The 4kHz boost at +1 adds a bit more clarity and presence without making vocals shouty. This area is sensitive, so I kept it small. 8kHz at +2 adds sparkle and perceived detail. This helps cymbals sound cleaner, strings sound more textured, and small background details become easier to hear. 16kHz at +2 adds air and openness. This helps create more atmosphere around vocals and instruments. It makes the soundstage feel larger and gives songs a more alive feeling.
And yes… sparkle. Sparkle is one of my favorite audiophile words lol. To me, sparkle means shimmer, air, and those tiny details that make music feel alive. Things like breathiness in vocals, cymbal texture, room reverb, echoes, string detail, and background ambience. Without enough sparkle, music can sound dull or closed in. But too much sparkle can become sharp and tiring. That is why I kept the treble boosts controlled.
What surprised me is that even with these boosts, the Buds4 Pro still remain smooth. They don’t become piercing or uncomfortable. Instead, they become more open, airy, spacious, and detailed.
Final Thoughts On The EQ
So there you have it. That is how I created my EQ and why I personally believe it is the best EQ for the Buds4 Pro. I already know some people will say, “There is no one-size-fits-all EQ,” and that is fair. Audio is subjective. Everyone hears differently depending on preferences, hearing, ear shape, volume level, and music taste. But I also believe there are ways to improve a tuning without destroying what made it special. That was my entire goal.
If someone else had made this exact EQ first, I would gladly give them credit. This was never about ego or trying to act like a professional audio engineer. I just love music and wanted to challenge myself to create the best possible listening experience. And trust me… it was way harder than I expected lol. At first, listening to songs over and over sounds fun, but after hours and days of repeating tracks, changing tiny EQ adjustments, comparing frequencies, and trying not to let bias take over, it becomes exhausting.
I fully understand that high-end headphones and IEMs with DACs and amps can beat the Buds4 Pro in pure sound quality. But those setups do not have the same convenience. ANC, Ambient Mode, portability, comfort, wireless use, water resistance, Samsung ecosystem features, touch controls, and battery life all matter in daily life. That is why the Buds4 Pro impressed me so much. They combine modern features with genuinely incredible sound quality.
Is this EQ perfect for every single song ever made? Probably not. Some songs may sound better with specific tuning. But most people listen to many genres every day. Constantly changing EQ for every song is unrealistic. That is why I wanted to create a universal EQ that enhances the Buds4 Pro while keeping their identity intact.
To me, this EQ brings out the TRUE sound signature of the Buds4 Pro and turns them into not only the best sounding Galaxy Buds, but possibly one of the best sounding wireless earbuds of 2026.
Music Analysis
Now for fun I want to go over a few songs from my playlist and explain what this EQ brings out. This is only a small sample because I could talk about music for hours lol, but these songs really helped me understand what makes the Buds4 Pro and this EQ special.
My Song Of The Year: God Was Showing Off by Bruno Mars
I guess you can say… I’m a bit of a Bruno Mars fanboy lol. I LOVE this song. Every time I listen to it, it puts me in a good mood. The production has this warm, almost tropical feeling with live-sounding drums, beautiful strings, smooth rhythm guitar, layered backing vocals, and amazing brass sections. Even on stock tuning, it already sounds fantastic. The strings are crystal clear, the trumpets sound lively, and Bruno’s vocals sound unreal. But with this EQ, everything becomes more separated and spacious. Every instrument has its own place in the mix. The backing vocals become much easier to hear, and you can actually tell there are multiple singers instead of one blended background layer.
There is also a rhythm guitar sitting underneath the song that becomes much more noticeable with the EQ. Once you hear it, you realize it helps drive the groove of the track. The brass is where this EQ really shines. When the trumpets come in, you can hear more texture, air, and pressure behind the notes. The strings also sound more airy and emotional while still staying smooth.This was one of the songs that made me realize the EQ was finally complete.
Why You Wanna Fight? by Bruno Mars
I promise this is not turning into a full The Romantic review lol, but this song is incredible. It is a slow-burn R&B track with a very emotional atmosphere. Even on stock tuning, Bruno’s vocals sound smooth and emotional, and the soft chimes and ambient details are already easy to hear. With the EQ, the background strings and chimes become clearer and more separated. The reverbs fade out more naturally, which gives the song a bigger and more emotional feeling.
One detail really blew my mind. Around 1:02–1:07 and 2:10–2:14, there are these beautiful strings playing a small scale roll-off melody. I swear I never noticed that detail on the Buds3 Pro. But on the Buds4 Pro with this EQ, I heard it clearly for the first time. I replayed that part over and over because I could not believe I had missed it before. Now every time I listen to the song, I wait for that moment lol. That is one of my favorite things about audio. Sometimes one tiny hidden detail can change how you appreciate an entire song.
Rio De Janeiro by Rosalia de Souza
Do I know Portuguese? No lol, not at all. But give me strings and flutes and I am already going to love the song, and this track has exactly that. It has this beautiful acoustic Brazilian style with soft percussion, acoustic guitar, smooth piano, playful flutes, lush strings, and brass. Rosalia de Souza’s vocals are fantastic. She has a soft, airy tone but also a lot of emotion and range. On stock tuning, the song already sounds amazing because the Buds4 Pro mids bring her vocals forward naturally. But with my EQ, the song becomes even more special. You can hear the breathiness in her voice more clearly, which makes her sound more intimate and natural. Small details like vocal texture, piano ambience, room reverb, and little recording details become easier to notice.
When the flutes come in, they sound clean and separated. Then around the 1:05 mark, when the brass enters, you can hear the texture and air moving through the instruments more clearly. This song reminds me of taking a peaceful walk during sunset near a beach or park. It has a warm, relaxing energy, and this EQ brings out the emotion beautifully.
Lover Girl by Laufey
The queen arrives lol. This song has exactly the type of instrumentation I love, but it is also one of the most demanding songs I tested for instrument separation. Once the chorus comes in, there is a lot happening at once: strings, backing vocals, percussion, and layered instrumentation. On some earbuds, the chorus can start sounding mushy or crowded. I remember hearing that on the Buds2 Pro and even sometimes on the Buds3 Pro.
But on the Buds4 Pro, everything stays clear and separated. Every string instrument has its own place in the mix, and nothing feels congested. With my EQ, Laufey’s vocals come forward beautifully. Her voice has this playful softness, and you can hear her breath and vocal texture more clearly. The backing vocals in the bridge are also much easier to separate instead of sounding like one big wall of sound. The strings sound spacious, lively, and elegant. This EQ makes the song more fun and emotional while still keeping it smooth.
Human Nature by Michael Jackson
For the final music analysis, of course I had to include the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. If I had to choose only one song from his entire catalog to listen to forever, it would probably be Human Nature. There is something magical about this song. The dreamy synths, soft rhythm guitar, ambient production, and Michael’s emotional vocals all create this relaxing nighttime atmosphere. Even on stock tuning, the song already sounds excellent. Michael’s vocals are front and center, the synths are smooth, and the rhythm guitar has this beautiful ambience and echo in the background.
So when I tried it with my EQ, I was honestly a little worried because I didn’t want to ruin what already sounded great. But the moment I pressed play, those worries disappeared. With the EQ, Michael’s vocals come forward even more naturally. The ambient effects are easier to hear, not just when they start, but also as they fade into the background. During the chorus, the backing vocals become clearer and more separated. The rhythm guitar might be my favorite part. It sounds so detailed and airy that you can almost hear the ambience of each string as it echoes through the track. Combined with the synths and Michael’s vocals, the entire song feels wider, more emotional, and more immersive.
Final Conclusion
After all the testing, listening, comparing, adjusting, and replaying songs over and over, I truly believe this EQ unlocks the Buds4 Pro’s full potential.
It adds bass impact without making the sound muddy.
It keeps the mids natural, emotional, and centered.
It adds treble sparkle and air without becoming harsh.
Most importantly, it keeps the Buds4 Pro sounding like the Buds4 Pro. It does not turn them into something else. It simply enhances what Samsung already created. Again, audio is subjective. You may prefer more bass, less bass, less treble, or a completely different sound. That is totally fine. But for me, after weeks of testing across hundreds of songs and many genres, this is the EQ that made everything click. The Buds4 Pro already sounded great out of the box, but with this EQ, they sound truly special.This is the definitive Buds4 Pro EQ.
Thanks again to everyone who read my original review, and thank you if you made it all the way through this one too. I know this was very long, but I really wanted to give the Buds4 Pro’s sound quality the detailed explanation it deserves.