Apple AirPods (1st generation) EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Apple AirPods (1st generation), 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 2 to 2.5 dB of bass around 50 to 70 Hz.
- Cuts about 3.5 dB around 530 Hz and about 2 dB near 1.8 kHz, where the AirPods measure forward.
- Lifts 4 to 9 kHz by about 3 to 4 dB for more detail.
- Trims the very top treble slightly.
AirPods (1st gen) at a glance
Apple's original wireless earbuds, released in 2016, with an open fit and no ear tips. Official specifications from Apple:
- Chip
- Apple W1
- Model numbers
- A1523, A1722 (Lightning case A1602)
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones
- Sensors
- Dual optical sensors, motion and speech accelerometers
- Battery life
- Up to 5 hours; more than 24 hours with the case
- Charging
- Lightning case; 15 minutes in the case gives about 3 hours
- Weight
- 4 g per earbud; case 38 g
- Mac requirement
- macOS Sierra or later
Sources: Apple: AirPods (1st generation) tech specs, Apple: Identify your AirPods, Apple: Switch your AirPods to another device.
Using the AirPods (1st gen) with a Mac
Codec: AAC. AirPods connect to a Mac with Apple's AAC Bluetooth codec, just as they do with an iPhone, carrying the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. Apple notes that Bluetooth connections aren't lossless.
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 AirPods (1st gen) in stereo music mode.
No automatic switching. Apple's automatic switching starts with AirPods (2nd generation), so connect the 1st generation from the Bluetooth menu or Control Center when you move to your Mac.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the AirPods (1st gen). It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 2 to 2.5 dB of bass around 50 to 70 Hz.
- Cuts about 3.5 dB around 530 Hz and about 2 dB near 1.8 kHz, where the AirPods measure forward.
- Lifts 4 to 9 kHz by about 3 to 4 dB for more detail.
- Trims the very top treble slightly.
These AirPods don't seal your ear, so how much bass you hear depends a lot on how they sit. If the correction's bass sounds too strong or too weak, adjust the low filters by ear.
How they sit in your ears 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 AirPods (1st gen) connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for AirPods (1st gen) (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your AirPods (1st gen) and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 9383 Hz Gain 4.7 dB Q 0.74 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 526 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 1.28 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1979 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.92 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4485 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 2.30 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 154 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.15 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 47 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 1.53 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 308 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 1.95 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 102 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.03
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 9.38 kHz | +4.7 dB | 0.74 |
| 3 | Bell | 526 Hz | −3.3 dB | 1.28 |
| 4 | Bell | 1.98 kHz | −2.0 dB | 0.92 |
| 5 | Bell | 4.49 kHz | +2.9 dB | 2.30 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 154 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.15 |
| 8 | Bell | 47 Hz | −0.8 dB | 1.53 |
| 9 | Bell | 308 Hz | −0.6 dB | 1.95 |
| 10 | Bell | 102 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.03 |
Preamp: −3.9 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 −5.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Apple AirPods (1st generation) use on a Mac?+
AirPods connect to a Mac with Apple's AAC Bluetooth codec, just as they do with an iPhone, carrying the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. Apple notes that Bluetooth connections aren't lossless.
What are the best EQ settings for the Apple AirPods (1st generation)?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 2 dB of bass, cuts about 3.5 dB near 530 Hz and lifts 4 to 9 kHz by about 3 to 4 dB, with a preamp of -3.9 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 Apple AirPods (1st generation) 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.
Does macOS have an equalizer for the AirPods (1st gen)?+
Not a system-wide one. The Music app has its own EQ, but it only changes songs played in Music. TuningMac's EQ works on everything your Mac plays, and it loads this correction whenever your AirPods (1st gen) connect.
Tune your AirPods (1st gen) 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 oratory1990. Specifications from Apple's published specifications. Apple AirPods (1st generation) is a trademark of Apple; TuningMac is not affiliated with Apple.