AKG K240 Studio EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the AKG K240 Studio, 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 3 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 8–16 kHz.
K240 Studio at a glance
Semi-open studio headphones (55 Ohm), an industry standard since 1975. Official specifications from AKG:
Sources: AKG: K240 Studio specifications.
Using the K240 Studio with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The K240 Studio support , 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 headphones' 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 K240 Studio in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the K240 Studio. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 3 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 8–16 kHz.
Fit, ear pads 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 K240 Studio connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for K240 Studio (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your K240 Studio and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 61 Hz Gain -5.4 dB Q 0.57 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2255 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 1.30 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5908 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 6.00 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8281 Hz Gain -5.4 dB Q 3.43 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5228 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 5.57 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6831 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 6.00 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 364 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.22 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 994 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 2.67
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 61 Hz | −5.4 dB | 0.57 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.25 kHz | +3.1 dB | 1.30 |
| 4 | Bell | 5.91 kHz | −5.1 dB | 6.00 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.28 kHz | −5.4 dB | 3.43 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.23 kHz | +1.3 dB | 5.57 |
| 8 | Bell | 6.83 kHz | +2.0 dB | 6.00 |
| 9 | Bell | 364 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.22 |
| 10 | Bell | 994 Hz | −0.3 dB | 2.67 |
Preamp: −5.7 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 −4.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the AKG K240 Studio use on a Mac?+
AAC. The K240 Studio support , 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 AKG K240 Studio?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz, cuts about 4 dB around 8–16 kHz, with a preamp of -5.7 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 AKG K240 Studio sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the headphones' 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.
Should I turn off the EQ in AKG's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in AKG's app is applied inside the headphones, 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 K240 Studio 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 AKG's published specifications. AKG K240 Studio is a trademark of AKG; TuningMac is not affiliated with AKG.