1MORE PistonBuds Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the 1MORE PistonBuds Pro, the specs that matter, and what changes when you use them with a Mac. Copy the settings and apply them in one click.
The short answer
- Adds about 6 dB around 3.6 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 2.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB near 10 kHz.
PistonBuds Pro at a glance
True wireless earbuds with hybrid ANC and a compact design, released in 2022. Official specifications from 1MORE:
- Driver
- 10 mm DLC dynamic
- ANC
- Hybrid ANC (up to 38 dB)
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Battery
- Up to 7.5 h (buds) + 30 h (case)
- Weight
- 5.2 g per bud
- IP rating
- IPX5
Sources: 1MORE: PistonBuds Pro product page.
Using the PistonBuds Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The PistonBuds Pro support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz).
Calls sound worse than music. As soon as an app uses the earbuds' microphone (Zoom, FaceTime, a dictation shortcut), Bluetooth switches to hands-free mode, which has much lower audio quality. Pick your Mac's built-in microphone as the input to keep the PistonBuds Pro in stereo music mode.
Noise control without your phone. 1MORE's app only runs on phones. TuningMac asks your earbuds which noise controls they support and shows them in the menu bar. It hasn't been tested on the PistonBuds Pro yet. How it works
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on HypetheSonics' measurements of the PistonBuds Pro. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 6 dB around 3.6 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 2.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB near 10 kHz.
Fit, ear tips and your own ears all change what you hear, and neutral isn't everyone's favourite sound. Use this as a starting point, then adjust by ear.
Apply it in TuningMac (parametric EQ)
TuningMac's Advanced EQ imports this format directly. Copy the settings, then:
- Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your PistonBuds Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for PistonBuds Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your PistonBuds Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 3633 Hz Gain 6.3 dB Q 0.59 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 565 Hz Gain -4.1 dB Q 0.25 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 9972 Hz Gain 4.2 dB Q 0.66 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2673 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 3.18 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 72 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 1.60 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 165 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 1.31 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 30 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 1.76 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 420 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 1.22
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 3.63 kHz | +6.3 dB | 0.59 |
| 3 | Bell | 565 Hz | −4.1 dB | 0.25 |
| 4 | Bell | 9.97 kHz | +4.2 dB | 0.66 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.67 kHz | −5.1 dB | 3.18 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 72 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.60 |
| 8 | Bell | 165 Hz | −0.5 dB | 1.31 |
| 9 | Bell | 30 Hz | −0.6 dB | 1.76 |
| 10 | Bell | 420 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.22 |
Preamp: −6.0 dB. It lowers the overall level so the boosts don't clip.
Prefer simple sliders? The 10-band version
No Advanced EQ needed: AutoEQ also gives values for a standard 10-band equalizer, the same bands as TuningMac's main EQ. In the menu bar popover choose Custom, set each slider, and set the preamp to about −7.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the 1MORE PistonBuds Pro use on a Mac?+
AAC. The PistonBuds Pro support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the 1MORE PistonBuds Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on HypetheSonics' measurements, adds about 6 dB around 3.6 kHz, cuts about 5 dB around 2.7 kHz, cuts about 4 dB around 500 Hz, with a preamp of -6 dB. The exact values are on this page, ready to copy. Treat it as a neutral starting point and adjust to taste.
Why do my 1MORE PistonBuds Pro sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the earbuds' microphone, Bluetooth switches from stereo music mode to a hands-free call mode with much lower audio quality. To keep music quality during calls, choose your Mac's built-in microphone as the input instead. TuningMac's Input list does this in one click, and its Device Info shows which mode you're in.
Can I control the 1MORE PistonBuds Pro's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
1MORE's app only runs on phones. TuningMac asks your earbuds which noise controls they support and shows them in the menu bar. It hasn't been tested on the PistonBuds Pro yet.
Should I turn off the EQ in 1MORE's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in 1MORE's app is applied inside the earbuds, so it also affects your Mac and would add to this correction. TuningMac's EQ only changes sound from your Mac, so it won't affect your phone.
Tune your PistonBuds Pro on your Mac
Parametric and 10-band EQ, noise control and battery in the menu bar.
EQ data from AutoEQ by Jaakko Pasanen (MIT licence), measurement by HypetheSonics. Specifications from 1MORE's published specifications. 1MORE PistonBuds Pro is a trademark of 1MORE; TuningMac is not affiliated with 1MORE.