diff --git a/lib/models/equalizer_settings.dart b/lib/models/equalizer_settings.dart
index 3f93914e..14a3965c 100644
--- a/lib/models/equalizer_settings.dart
+++ b/lib/models/equalizer_settings.dart
@@ -130,6 +130,15 @@ class EqualizerSettings {
     return copyWith(gains: [for (final hz in next.frequencies) gainAt(hz)]);
   }
 
+  /// A preset carries a sound; headroom, limiting, compression and balance
+  /// stay as the listener set them.
+  EqualizerSettings withToneOf(EqualizerSettings preset) => copyWith(
+    gains: preset.gains,
+    preamp: preset.preamp,
+    bass: preset.bass,
+    treble: preset.treble,
+  );
+
   double gainAt(double hz, {bool includeTone = false}) {
     final values = includeTone ? effectiveGains : gains;
     final centers = frequencies;
diff --git a/lib/providers/equalizer_provider.dart b/lib/providers/equalizer_provider.dart
index 4e25a355..fb6cee24 100644
--- a/lib/providers/equalizer_provider.dart
+++ b/lib/providers/equalizer_provider.dart
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class EqualizerController extends Notifier<EqualizerState> {
   void update(EqualizerSettings settings) => _commit(settings, state.presets);
 
   void applyPreset(EqualizerPreset preset) =>
-      update(preset.settings.copyWith(enabled: state.settings.enabled));
+      update(state.settings.withToneOf(preset.settings));
 
   void savePreset(String name) {
     final trimmed = name.trim();
diff --git a/lib/screens/equalizer_screen.dart b/lib/screens/equalizer_screen.dart
index 6bdf1fa2..5a856a2f 100644
--- a/lib/screens/equalizer_screen.dart
+++ b/lib/screens/equalizer_screen.dart
@@ -483,11 +483,13 @@ class _EqualizerScreenState extends ConsumerState<EqualizerScreen> {
 
 /// The preset whose curve, tone and dynamics match the current settings.
 EqualizerPreset? _matchingPreset(EqualizerState state) {
-  String key(EqualizerSettings settings) =>
-      jsonEncode(settings.copyWith(enabled: false).toJson());
+  // Matches when applying the preset would change nothing.
+  String key(EqualizerSettings settings) => jsonEncode(settings.toJson());
   final current = key(state.settings);
   for (final preset in [...EqualizerPreset.builtIn, ...state.presets]) {
-    if (key(preset.settings) == current) return preset;
+    if (key(state.settings.withToneOf(preset.settings)) == current) {
+      return preset;
+    }
   }
   return null;
 }
diff --git a/test/equalizer_test.dart b/test/equalizer_test.dart
index 923b5cd3..86904d8a 100644
--- a/test/equalizer_test.dart
+++ b/test/equalizer_test.dart
@@ -60,6 +60,35 @@ void main() {
     expect(settings.copyWith(autoHeadroom: false).inputGain, -2);
   });
 
+  test('presets change the sound but keep output safety choices', () {
+    final container = ProviderContainer();
+    addTearDown(container.dispose);
+    final notifier = container.read(equalizerProvider.notifier);
+    notifier.update(
+      const EqualizerSettings(
+        enabled: true,
+        balance: 0.25,
+        autoHeadroom: false,
+        limiter: false,
+        compressor: true,
+        ratio: 6,
+      ),
+    );
+    final bassBoost = EqualizerPreset.builtIn.firstWhere(
+      (preset) => preset.name == 'Bass boost',
+    );
+    notifier.applyPreset(bassBoost);
+    final settings = container.read(equalizerProvider).settings;
+    expect(settings.gains, bassBoost.settings.gains);
+    expect(settings.enabled, isTrue);
+    expect(settings.balance, 0.25);
+    expect(settings.autoHeadroom, isFalse);
+    expect(settings.limiter, isFalse);
+    expect(settings.compressor, isTrue);
+    expect(settings.ratio, 6);
+    expect(settings.inputGain, 0);
+  });
+
   test(
     'malformed and nonfinite imports cannot create unsafe native settings',
     () {