Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Apple AirPods Pro (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 dB of bass around 40 to 70 Hz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 575 Hz, where the AirPods Pro measure thick, and about 2 dB near 1.5 kHz.
- Adds about 4 dB near 4.7 kHz and about 6 dB near 9 kHz for more detail and air.
AirPods Pro (1st gen) at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds with silicone ear tips, released in 2019. Official specifications from Apple:
- Chip
- Apple H1
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Model numbers
- A2084, A2083 (case A2190)
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency
- Driver
- Custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier
- Audio features
- Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone
- Battery life
- Up to 4.5 hours (5 with noise control off); more than 24 hours with the case
- Charging
- Wireless Charging Case (Qi or Lightning), later sold with a MagSafe case; 5 minutes gives about 1 hour
- Weight
- 5.4 g per earbud; case 45.6 g
- Water resistance
- IPX4 (earbuds)
Sources: Apple: AirPods Pro (1st generation) tech specs, Apple: Identify your AirPods, Apple: Switch your AirPods to another device, Apple: Switch between listening modes.
Using the AirPods Pro (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 Pro (1st 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.
Spatial Audio changes the sound. On Macs with Apple silicon, Spatial Audio (Fixed or Head Tracked, from the AirPods icon in the menu bar) processes the sound and shifts its balance. The measurement is of normal stereo, so set Spatial Audio to Off while you judge this correction.
Adaptive EQ is built in. Apple's Adaptive EQ runs inside the earbuds all the time and can't be turned off. The measurement already includes it, and TuningMac's correction is applied on top.
Noise control. macOS already switches them from the AirPods menu bar icon and System Settings, and TuningMac uses that same system control to put Off, Transparency and Noise Cancellation in its own menu, next to your EQ and volume. How it works
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on crinacle's measurements of the AirPods Pro (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 dB of bass around 40 to 70 Hz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 575 Hz, where the AirPods Pro measure thick, and about 2 dB near 1.5 kHz.
- Adds about 4 dB near 4.7 kHz and about 6 dB near 9 kHz for more detail and air.
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 AirPods Pro (1st gen) connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for AirPods Pro (1st gen) (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your AirPods Pro (1st gen) and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 514 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 0.68 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 8903 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 1.66 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 183 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 0.77 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4613 Hz Gain 3.4 dB Q 2.46 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1517 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.33 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 929 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 2.75 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 44 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.16 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 618 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.86
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 514 Hz | −4.4 dB | 0.68 |
| 3 | Bell | 8.9 kHz | +6.0 dB | 1.66 |
| 4 | Bell | 183 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.77 |
| 5 | Bell | 4.61 kHz | +3.4 dB | 2.46 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 1.52 kHz | −1.0 dB | 2.33 |
| 8 | Bell | 929 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.75 |
| 9 | Bell | 44 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.16 |
| 10 | Bell | 618 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.86 |
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 −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 Pro (1st gen) 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 Pro (1st gen)?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on crinacle's measurements, adds about 2 dB of bass, cuts about 4 dB near 575 Hz and adds about 4 dB near 4.7 kHz and 6 dB near 9 kHz, 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 Apple AirPods Pro (1st gen) 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 Apple AirPods Pro (1st gen)'s noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Yes. macOS already switches them from the AirPods menu bar icon and System Settings, and TuningMac uses that same system control to put Off, Transparency and Noise Cancellation in its own menu, next to your EQ and volume.
Does macOS have an equalizer for the AirPods Pro (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 Pro (1st gen) connect.
Tune your AirPods Pro (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 crinacle. Specifications from Apple's published specifications. Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) is a trademark of Apple; TuningMac is not affiliated with Apple.