AKG K361 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the AKG K361, 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 2 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz.
K361 at a glance
Closed-back studio headphones, portable folding design, released in 2019. Official specifications from AKG:
Sources: AKG: K361 specifications.
Using the K361 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The K361 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 K361 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the K361. 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 2 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 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 K361 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for K361 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your K361 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 5.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5076 Hz Gain -6.2 dB Q 5.52 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 56 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 0.63 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2231 Hz Gain 3.8 dB Q 1.10 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8367 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 3.14 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5780 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 5.58 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 3581 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 4.69 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 170 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.22 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 836 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 2.42
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 5.08 kHz | −6.2 dB | 5.52 |
| 3 | Bell | 56 Hz | −3.7 dB | 0.63 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.23 kHz | +3.8 dB | 1.10 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.37 kHz | −3.3 dB | 3.14 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.78 kHz | +2.3 dB | 5.58 |
| 8 | Bell | 3.58 kHz | −1.2 dB | 4.69 |
| 9 | Bell | 170 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.22 |
| 10 | Bell | 836 Hz | −0.3 dB | 2.42 |
Preamp: −4.2 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 −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the AKG K361 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The K361 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 K361?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, dips about 2 dB around 62 Hz, adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz, with a preamp of -4.2 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 K361 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 K361 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 AKG's published specifications. AKG K361 is a trademark of AKG; TuningMac is not affiliated with AKG.