Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen), 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
- Cuts about 3 dB around 31–62 Hz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 125–250 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB around 4.8 kHz for detail.
- Cuts about 6 dB above 10 kHz.
Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) at a glance
Wired over-ear headphones with lambskin pads and aluminium build, 2nd generation. Official specifications from Bang & Olufsen:
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- Impedance
- 38 ohms
- Frequency response
- 20 – 22,000 Hz
- Weight
- 230 g
Sources: Bang & Olufsen: Beoplay H6.
Using the Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) 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 Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen). It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 3 dB around 31–62 Hz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 125–250 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB around 4.8 kHz for detail.
- Cuts about 6 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 Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 158 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 0.47 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1283 Hz Gain 4.6 dB Q 1.30 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4820 Hz Gain 6.8 dB Q 2.85 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2834 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 3.46 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6530 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 5.26 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 546 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 0.37 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 391 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 1.27 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 7849 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 3.36
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 158 Hz | −5.2 dB | 0.47 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.28 kHz | +4.6 dB | 1.30 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.82 kHz | +6.8 dB | 2.85 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.83 kHz | −3.5 dB | 3.46 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.53 kHz | −3.3 dB | 5.26 |
| 8 | Bell | 546 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.37 |
| 9 | Bell | 391 Hz | −1.2 dB | 1.27 |
| 10 | Bell | 7.85 kHz | +1.1 dB | 3.36 |
Preamp: −6.8 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 −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) 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 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen)?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts about 5 dB around 125–250 Hz, adds about 5 dB around 500 Hz, adds about 7 dB around 4.8 kHz, cuts about 6 dB of treble, with a preamp of -6.8 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 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) 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 Bang & Olufsen's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Bang & Olufsen'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 Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) 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 Rtings. Specifications from Bang & Olufsen's published specifications. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H6 (2nd Gen) is a trademark of Bang & Olufsen; TuningMac is not affiliated with Bang & Olufsen.