Why do audio systems increase bass at low listening volumes?

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Acoustics — acoustics Artificial omni-directional sound source in an anechoic acoustic chamber.

Audio systems increase bass at low listening volumes to compensate for the nonlinear sensitivity of the human ear.

According to equal-loudness curves, human hearing is less sensitive to low-frequency sounds than to mid-range frequencies, especially at lower sound pressure levels. When music is played at a low volume, the intensity of all frequencies is reduced, causing the bass components to fall below the threshold of hearing more quickly than higher-frequency sounds.

By boosting the intensity of these low frequencies, the loudness control ensures that the perceived balance between treble and bass remains consistent with how the music sounds at higher volumes.1