Apple AirPods (2nd generation) EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Apple AirPods (2nd 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 a lot of bass, about 5 to 6 dB below 150 Hz, most around 60 Hz.
- Cuts about 3.5 dB around 2.2 kHz and about 3 dB around 5.5 to 6 kHz.
- Cuts the treble above 8 kHz by about 4 to 6 dB.
AirPods (2nd gen) at a glance
Wireless earbuds with an open fit, released in 2019. Official specifications from Apple:
- Chip
- Apple H1
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Model numbers
- A2032, A2031 (Lightning case A1602, Wireless Charging Case A1938)
- 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 or Wireless Charging Case (Qi or Lightning); 15 minutes gives up to 3 hours
- Weight
- 4 g per earbud; case 38.2 g
Sources: Apple: AirPods (2nd generation) tech specs, Apple: Identify your AirPods, Apple: Switch your AirPods to another device.
Using the AirPods (2nd 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 (2nd gen) in stereo music mode.
Automatic switching. On macOS Sequoia and later, the AirPods move between your Mac and your other Apple devices on the same Apple Account by themselves; on macOS Sonoma, you click Connect in a notification.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the AirPods (2nd gen). It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds a lot of bass, about 5 to 6 dB below 150 Hz, most around 60 Hz.
- Cuts about 3.5 dB around 2.2 kHz and about 3 dB around 5.5 to 6 kHz.
- Cuts the treble above 8 kHz by about 4 to 6 dB.
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. This correction comes from a different measurement than the 1st generation's, and the two disagree more than their similar design suggests; if it sounds dark, ease off the treble cut.
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 (2nd gen) connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for AirPods (2nd gen) (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your AirPods (2nd gen) and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.1 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 5.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5446 Hz Gain -6.5 dB Q 0.18 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2138 Hz Gain 8.3 dB Q 0.30 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 89 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 0.98 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2124 Hz Gain -6.3 dB Q 1.11 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4173 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 2.74 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5484 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 6.00 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2846 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 4.81 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 240 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 1.68
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 5.45 kHz | −6.5 dB | 0.18 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.14 kHz | +8.3 dB | 0.30 |
| 4 | Bell | 89 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.98 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.12 kHz | −6.3 dB | 1.11 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.17 kHz | +1.4 dB | 2.74 |
| 8 | Bell | 5.48 kHz | −1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| 9 | Bell | 2.85 kHz | −0.9 dB | 4.81 |
| 10 | Bell | 240 Hz | +0.2 dB | 1.68 |
Preamp: −6.1 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 Apple AirPods (2nd 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 (2nd generation)?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 5 to 6 dB of bass, cuts about 3.5 dB near 2.2 kHz and 3 dB near 6 kHz, and cuts the treble above 8 kHz by 4 to 6 dB, with a preamp of -6.1 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 (2nd 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 (2nd 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 (2nd gen) connect.
Tune your AirPods (2nd 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 Rtings. Specifications from Apple's published specifications. Apple AirPods (2nd generation) is a trademark of Apple; TuningMac is not affiliated with Apple.