Podcasts Too Quiet On Spotify Heres Why How To Fix It

If you’ve ever turned up your phone, headphones, or speakers just to hear a podcast clearly on Spotify, you’re not alone. Many users report that certain podcasts sound significantly quieter than music or other audio content—even when played back-to-back. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially during commutes or late-night listening sessions. The issue isn’t always your device or headphones. More often than not, it stems from technical factors related to audio production, platform processing, and playback settings. Understanding the root causes is the first step toward fixing it.

Why Are Some Podcasts So Quiet on Spotify?

The primary reason some podcasts sound too quiet on Spotify lies in inconsistent audio levels across different shows and episodes. Unlike music tracks, which undergo rigorous mastering for balanced loudness, many podcasts—especially independent ones—are produced with varying degrees of technical expertise. Audio files recorded at low gain, without proper compression, or mixed poorly will naturally play back at lower volumes.

Spotify applies a feature called **loudness normalization**, designed to maintain consistent perceived volume across all content. It targets a standard loudness level of approximately -14 LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale). When a podcast episode is mastered significantly below this threshold—say, at -20 LUFS or lower—it will sound much quieter even after normalization because there’s less dynamic range to work with.

Additionally, older or hastily edited podcasts may lack modern audio optimization techniques like compression, limiting, and equalization. These tools help balance vocal clarity and background noise, ensuring voices remain clear and prominent regardless of playback environment.

“Many podcasters focus solely on content, overlooking audio dynamics. A well-recorded voice still needs proper post-processing to meet streaming platform standards.” — David Lin, Audio Mastering Engineer

How Spotify’s Loudness Normalization Works

Spotify automatically adjusts the playback volume of all audio to align with its target loudness level. This means a heavily compressed pop song at -8 LUFS gets turned down, while a whisper-quiet podcast at -20 LUFS gets turned up. However, boosting a very quiet file introduces limitations:

• Limited headroom: If the original recording has no peaks above -18 dB, amplifying it digitally can’t add real detail—only increase noise.
• No restoration of missing frequencies: Boosting volume doesn’t enhance muffled vocals or fix poor mic placement.
• Background noise becomes more apparent: Amplifying low-level recordings also amplifies hiss, room tone, or electrical hum.

In short: normalization helps, but it can't rescue poorly engineered audio. The solution starts with better production practices—and continues with smart listening adjustments.

Tip: Use wired headphones or high-bitrate Bluetooth codecs (like aptX HD) to get the clearest signal when listening to quieter podcasts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Low Podcast Volume

Whether you're a listener struggling to hear or a creator aiming to improve your show’s audio quality, here’s a structured approach to solving low volume issues.

1. Check your playback settings: Ensure “Normalize volume” is enabled in Spotify under Settings > Playback. This activates loudness leveling across all content.
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2. Disable EQ presets: Some third-party equalizers or phone sound enhancements can reduce overall output. Reset to flat or neutral settings.
3. Test on multiple devices: Play the same episode on your phone, laptop, and car system. If it's consistently quiet, the source file is likely under-mastered.
4. Use an external audio booster: Apps like Equalizer+ (Android) or built-in Accessibility settings (iOS) allow volume amplification beyond default limits.
5. Contact the podcaster: Politely notify them about the low volume. Professional creators often re-release corrected versions upon feedback.

For podcasters, go further by auditing your audio chain—from microphone setup to final export settings—to ensure compliance with industry loudness standards.

Checklist for Podcast Creators: Avoiding Low Volume Issues

To prevent your podcast from being labeled “too quiet,” follow this essential checklist before publishing each episode:

• ✅ Record in a treated space to minimize background noise
• ✅ Set input gain so peaks hover around -6 dB, never clipping
• ✅ Apply compression to even out vocal dynamics
• ✅ Use a limiter to cap maximum output at -1 dB
• ✅ Export at 192 kbps MP3 or 96 kbps AAC with stereo joint encoding
• ✅ Measure loudness using tools like Youlean Loudness Meter (target: -16 to -14 LUFS)
• ✅ Listen on multiple systems (earbuds, car stereo, laptop speakers)

Skipping any of these steps increases the risk of suboptimal playback performance on platforms like Spotify, where consistency matters.

Do’s and Don’ts of Podcast Audio Optimization

Do’s	Don’ts
Do use compression to stabilize vocal levels

Don’t record with automatic gain control (AGC), which creates pumping artifacts

Do aim for -14 LUFS integrated loudness Don’t over-compress trying to match music loudness—this kills natural speech dynamics Do export in formats compatible with Spotify (MP3/AAC) Don’t upload lossless WAV files expecting better quality—Spotify transcodes everything Do test playback directly on Spotify after publishing Don’t rely solely on studio monitors—check on consumer-grade earbuds too

Real Example: How One Podcaster Fixed His Volume Issue

Mark R., host of the tech interview podcast *Behind the Code*, received repeated complaints that his episodes were difficult to hear on morning runs. Despite using a high-end USB microphone, listeners reported turning their phones to max volume. Upon investigation, Mark discovered his editing software wasn’t applying any compression, and his average loudness measured only -19 LUFS.

He implemented a simple two-stage fix: first adding an FFMPEG-based compression preset in Audacity, then using the free iZotope RX Elements plugin to apply light limiting and loudness matching. After re-uploading one episode through his hosting platform (Buzzsprout), he noticed immediate improvement. Listeners commented within days: “Much easier to follow now!” and “No more straining to catch answers.”

This case illustrates how minor technical adjustments can have outsized impacts on listener experience—even without expensive gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make all podcasts louder on Spotify permanently?

Yes, by enabling “Normalize volume” in Spotify settings. Additionally, use your device’s accessibility features—like iPhone’s “Phone Audio Boost” or Android’s “Volume Booster”—to amplify weak signals system-wide.

Does Spotify lower podcast quality compared to music?

Spotify streams podcasts at lower bitrates than music (typically 96–160 kbps vs. 320 kbps), but this rarely affects intelligibility. The perceived “low quality” is usually due to poor source audio, not compression alone.

Why does my podcast sound fine in editing but quiet on Spotify?

Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) may not reflect real-world playback conditions. Always check loudness meters and simulate normalized listening environments before export. A track sounding “loud enough” on studio monitors might still fall below streaming standards.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Listening Experience

Quiet podcasts on Spotify aren’t inevitable—they’re fixable. As a listener, small changes in settings and awareness can dramatically improve clarity. As a creator, adhering to loudness standards ensures your message is heard loud and clear, exactly as intended. Whether you're tuning in or publishing, don’t accept poor audio as the norm. With the right tools and knowledge, every word can carry its full weight.

🚀 Start today: Revisit your last podcast episode, measure its loudness, and adjust accordingly. Share this guide with a fellow listener or podcaster who’s tired of turning up the volume!