AKG K702 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the AKG K702, 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.
- Very flat mid-range.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 16 kHz.
K702 at a glance
Open-back reference headphones (62 Ohm), classic flat studio tuning. Official specifications from AKG:
Sources: AKG: K702 specifications.
Using the K702 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The K702 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 K702 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the K702. 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.
- Very flat mid-range.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 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 K702 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for K702 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your K702 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 62 Hz Gain -4.6 dB Q 0.53 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2205 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 1.60 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6065 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 5.23 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8285 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 3.72 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7052 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 4.72 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 199 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 2.22 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 962 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.28 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 3478 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 62 Hz | −4.6 dB | 0.53 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.21 kHz | +2.2 dB | 1.60 |
| 4 | Bell | 6.07 kHz | −3.7 dB | 5.23 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.29 kHz | −3.5 dB | 3.72 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.05 kHz | +1.5 dB | 4.72 |
| 8 | Bell | 199 Hz | −0.6 dB | 2.22 |
| 9 | Bell | 962 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.28 |
| 10 | Bell | 3.48 kHz | −0.4 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −5.2 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 −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 K702 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The K702 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 K702?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, very flat mids, cuts about 4 dB above 16 kHz, with a preamp of -5.2 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 K702 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 K702 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 K702 is a trademark of AKG; TuningMac is not affiliated with AKG.