Audio-Technica ATH-M50x EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, 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.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 8 kHz where the M50x peaks.
ATH-M50x at a glance
Closed-back studio monitor headphones, one of the best-selling studio headphones. Official specifications from Audio-Technica:
Sources: Audio-Technica: ATH-M50x specifications.
Using the ATH-M50x with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The ATH-M50x 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 ATH-M50x in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the ATH-M50x. 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.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 8 kHz where the M50x peaks.
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 ATH-M50x connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for ATH-M50x (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your ATH-M50x and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.1 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 3.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 4605 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 5.22 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.42 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 8428 Hz Gain -7.2 dB Q 1.72 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2270 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 2.19 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5488 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 3.27 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 365 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 1.31 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 6895 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 5.67 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 12067 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 3.15
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 4.61 kHz | −5.1 dB | 5.22 |
| 3 | Bell | 54 Hz | −2.5 dB | 0.42 |
| 4 | Bell | 8.43 kHz | −7.2 dB | 1.72 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.27 kHz | +1.6 dB | 2.19 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.49 kHz | +2.5 dB | 3.27 |
| 8 | Bell | 365 Hz | −0.7 dB | 1.31 |
| 9 | Bell | 6.89 kHz | +2.0 dB | 5.67 |
| 10 | Bell | 12.07 kHz | −1.1 dB | 3.15 |
Preamp: −6.1 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 −5.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x use on a Mac?+
AAC. The ATH-M50x 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 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, dips about 2 dB around 62 Hz, cuts about 6 dB around 8 kHz, with a preamp of -6.1 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 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x 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 Audio-Technica's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Audio-Technica'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 ATH-M50x 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 Audio-Technica's published specifications. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a trademark of Audio-Technica; TuningMac is not affiliated with Audio-Technica.