Understanding Audio Reports
Audio reports can help you improve your transmitted signal, but only when the terms used are understood correctly.
Comments such as “too much bass”, “boxy”, “muddy”, “thin” or “too sharp” describe different characteristics of the voice and do not necessarily require the same adjustment.
This guide helps you identify the frequency range involved, understand which radio EQ control affects it and make the correct adjustment without unnecessarily changing Mic Gain or compression.
Before You Change Anything
Audio reports are subjective.
What the other operator hears is also affected by:
- Receiver bandwidth
- Receiver equalization
- Speaker or headphones
- Propagation and noise
- Signal strength
- Personal preference
A single report can be useful, but several consistent reports are much more reliable.
Whenever possible, record your transmitted audio using an independent receiver and compare the results at the same playback volume.
Do not completely change your settings after every individual comment received on the air.
Quick Reference
| Audio report | What it normally means | Main frequency area | Radio control | First correction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boomy | Excessive low-frequency energy | 80–180 Hz | Bass / Low | Reduce |
| Muddy | Low frequencies hide articulation | 150–300 Hz | Bass / Low | Reduce |
| Thin | Not enough body or warmth | 100–250 Hz | Bass / Low | Increase slightly |
| Boxy | Voice sounds enclosed or resonant | 250–500 Hz | Mid / Low-Mid | Reduce |
| Nasal | Voice sounds honky or nose-blocked | 700–1200 Hz | Mid | Reduce |
| Muffled / Dull | Not enough clarity or presence | 2–3 kHz | Treble / High | Increase slightly |
| Harsh / Strident | Excessive upper-mid presence | 2.5–4 kHz | Treble / High | Reduce |
These frequency ranges overlap. They should be treated as practical starting points, not exact laboratory limits.
Audio Characteristics Explained
Each section below identifies a common audio characteristic, the frequency range involved and the corresponding EQ control on your radio.
Open it to understand how it sounds and which adjustment to try first.
What does it sound like?
The voice sounds excessively deep, heavy and dominated by low frequencies. It may seem powerful when listening locally, but it can lose clarity and become difficult to understand through noise or during a pile-up.
What to adjust
Reduce the Bass / Low control slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try a broad reduction of about 2–4 dB between 100 and 180 Hz. Also check the microphone distance, because speaking too close to a cardioid dynamic microphone can increase the low frequencies because of the proximity effect.
What does it sound like? The voice lacks definition and the words seem to blend together. Consonants become less distinct, even though the audio may still sound full and powerful.
What to adjust Reduce the Bass / Low control slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try a broad reduction of about 2–3 dB between 180 and 300 Hz. Before increasing Treble, first reduce the low-frequency energy that may be masking articulation.
What does it sound like? The voice is clear but lacks body, warmth and weight. It may sound weak, small or excessively light.
What to adjust Increase the Bass / Low control slightly or apply a small, broad boost around 120–200 Hz. Also check the microphone distance and the lower limit of the selected TX bandwidth. With HamSet dynamic microphones, keep the capsule approximately 1–2 cm from the mouth and speak slightly off-axis.
What does it sound like? The voice sounds enclosed, resonant or as if it were coming from inside a cardboard box or a small room. This is not simply excessive bass, but too much energy in the low-mid range.
What to adjust Reduce the Mid / Low-Mid area slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try cutting about 2–4 dB around 300–400 Hz. If your radio only has Bass and Treble controls, a small Bass reduction may help, although it will not isolate this frequency range precisely.
What does it sound like? The voice sounds honky, pinched or as if the operator were speaking with a blocked nose. It may remain understandable, but it loses naturalness.
What to adjust Reduce the Mid control slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try a reduction of about 2–3 dB around 800–1000 Hz, using 900 Hz as a practical starting point. Avoid excessive cuts, because the midrange is essential for maintaining a natural voice.
What does it sound like? The voice sounds covered, dark or lacking articulation. Consonants are not clearly defined and the modulation struggles to cut through noise.
What to adjust Increase the Treble / High control slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try adding about 2–3 dB around 2–3 kHz. If the voice is also muddy or boxy, first reduce the excessive low-mid frequencies instead of continuing to increase Treble. Check that the selected TX bandwidth includes the frequencies you are trying to boost.
What does it sound like? The voice is very clear but sounds aggressive, piercing, metallic or tiring to listen to. Consonants may become excessively prominent.
What to adjust Reduce the Treble / High control slightly. With a parametric equalizer, try cutting about 2–3 dB between 2.5 and 3.5 kHz. Do not reduce this area excessively, because it is essential for speech intelligibility. Also check Mic Gain and compression, as overdrive or excessive processing can produce a similar harsh sound.
Understanding Your Radio EQ
The EQ controls on your radio may use different names, but they generally divide the voice spectrum into three main areas.
Bass / Low affects the lower frequencies and mainly controls body, warmth and excessive low-frequency energy.
Mid affects the central part of the voice and is the area most often involved in boxy or nasal audio.
Treble / High affects clarity, articulation and presence, although too much can make the voice harsh or strident.
Some radios provide only simple Bass and Treble controls, while others offer more advanced graphic or parametric equalizers. The exact frequencies and available adjustments vary between models.
For a detailed explanation of how to set TX bandwidth, equalization, Mic Gain and compression, read our SSB Audio Setup guide.
Change One Thing at a Time
When adjusting your audio, change only one setting at a time and make small corrections, normally about 2–3 dB. Use the same phrase, microphone position and speaking level for every comparison, then record your signal with an independent receiver and listen at the same playback volume. Avoid changing Bass, Mid, Treble, Mic Gain and compression together, because you will not know which adjustment produced the result. Always save your original settings so that you can return to the starting point.
Not Every Audio Problem Is an EQ Problem
If your audio is too low, distorted, unstable or affected by RF, changing the equalizer will not solve the cause. Check microphone position, Mic Gain, compression, adapter compatibility, bias voltage and station grounding before changing the frequency response.
What to Do Next
Once you have identified the audio characteristic, make the smallest correction required and listen again.
For a complete step-by-step procedure covering TX bandwidth, Mic Gain, equalization and compression, read SSB Audio Setup.
To hear real comparisons between the HamSet microphone elements and different EQ settings, visit Mic Sound Check.
Hear the Difference
Specifications cannot fully describe how a microphone sounds.
Visit Mic Sound Check to compare real recordings of the Dynamic Standard, Dynamic DX and reference microphone elements under repeatable on-air conditions.
Set Up Your SSB Audio Correctly
Good transmitted audio depends on more than microphone choice.
Visit SSB Audio Setup to learn how to adjust TX bandwidth, microphone gain, equalization and compression in the correct order, with practical starting settings for selected radios and HamSet microphones.
Which HamSet Is Right for You?
Not sure which headset, microphone element or configuration best suits your operating style?
Visit the HamSet Buyer’s Guide to compare the available models, understand the differences between the Dynamic Standard, Dynamic DX and Electret microphones, and choose the right solution for contesting, DXing or everyday use.
Store Your HamSet the Right Way
Correct storage helps protect the headset, microphone boom and cable from unnecessary stress or damage.
Visit Back in Its Bag for a simple step-by-step guide showing how to fold your HamSet correctly and place it safely inside its carrying case.
