AKG K712 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the AKG K712, 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 7 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 4 dB around 143 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 1.2 kHz and about 5 dB around 3 kHz.
K712 at a glance
Open-back wired reference headphones. Official specifications from AKG:
- Type
- Open-back, over-ear
- Driver
- Dynamic
- Impedance
- 62 Ω
- Frequency response
- 10 – 39,800 Hz
- Weight
- 235 g without cable
- Cable
- Detachable, 3 m, 3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter
Sources: AKG K712 PRO.
Using the K712 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The K712 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 K712 in stereo music mode.
Wired headphones on a Mac This is a wired headphone. Plug it into the Mac's 3.5 mm headphone jack or a USB audio interface.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the K712. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 7 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 4 dB around 143 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 1.2 kHz and about 5 dB around 3 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 K712 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for K712 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your K712 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.9 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 143 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 0.23 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1217 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 1.43 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3049 Hz Gain 4.8 dB Q 3.18 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2178 Hz Gain -3.4 dB Q 3.30 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5868 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 5.87 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 67 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 1.75 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 157 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.87 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 243 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.27
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.9 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 143 Hz | −3.6 dB | 0.23 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.22 kHz | +5.0 dB | 1.43 |
| 4 | Bell | 3.05 kHz | +4.8 dB | 3.18 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.18 kHz | −3.4 dB | 3.30 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.87 kHz | −2.6 dB | 5.87 |
| 8 | Bell | 67 Hz | −0.6 dB | 1.75 |
| 9 | Bell | 157 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.87 |
| 10 | Bell | 243 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.27 |
Preamp: −5.8 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 K712 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The K712 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 K712?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 7 dB of sub-bass, dips about 4 dB around 143 Hz, adds about 5 dB in the midrange, with a preamp of -5.8 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 K712 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 K712 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 K712 is a trademark of AKG; TuningMac is not affiliated with AKG.