AKG K612 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the AKG K612, 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 6 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 2 dB around 189 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 750 Hz, cuts about 3 dB around 5.8 kHz and about 3 dB above 10 kHz.
K612 at a glance
Open-back wired reference headphones. Official specifications from AKG:
- Type
- Open-back, over-ear
- Driver
- Dynamic
- Impedance
- 120 Ω
- Frequency response
- 12 – 39,500 Hz
- Weight
- 238 g without cable
- Cable
- 3 m, 3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter
Sources: AKG K612 PRO.
Using the K612 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The K612 support AAC, 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 K612 in stereo music mode.
Wired headphones on a Mac The K612 is 120 Ω. A Mac's headphone jack drives it, but a USB DAC or headphone amp improves dynamics and volume.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the K612. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 6 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 2 dB around 189 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 750 Hz, cuts about 3 dB around 5.8 kHz and about 3 dB above 10 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 K612 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for K612 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your K612 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 189 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 0.52 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 752 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 1.37 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2509 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 2.16 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 9792 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 3.44 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.9 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5824 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 5.79 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4131 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 3.22 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 68 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 2.89 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 86 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 5.22
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 189 Hz | −1.7 dB | 0.52 |
| 3 | Bell | 752 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.37 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.51 kHz | −2.5 dB | 2.16 |
| 5 | Bell | 9.79 kHz | +2.0 dB | 3.44 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.82 kHz | −3.3 dB | 5.79 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.13 kHz | +1.3 dB | 3.22 |
| 9 | Bell | 68 Hz | −0.7 dB | 2.89 |
| 10 | Bell | 86 Hz | +0.8 dB | 5.22 |
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 −7.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the AKG K612 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The K612 support AAC, 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 K612?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 6 dB of sub-bass, dips about 2 dB around 189 Hz, cuts about 3 dB around 5.8 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 AKG K612 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 K612 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 K612 is a trademark of AKG; TuningMac is not affiliated with AKG.