Beats EP EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beats EP, 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 at 31 Hz.
- Dips 125 to 250 Hz by about 2 to 3 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 4 kHz.
EP at a glance
Wired on-ear headphones, released in 2016. Official specifications from Beats:
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- Cable
- 3.5 mm RemoteTalk cable
- Weight
- 220 g
Sources: Beats: EP specifications.
Using the EP with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The EP 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 EP in stereo music mode.
Wired connection Plugs into the 3.5 mm headphone jack (or a USB-C adapter on Macs without one). No Bluetooth needed; the Mac sees it as a wired output.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the EP. 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 at 31 Hz.
- Dips 125 to 250 Hz by about 2 to 3 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 4 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 EP connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for EP (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your EP and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 204 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.47 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 485 Hz Gain 3.9 dB Q 0.56 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3895 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 2.09 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8774 Hz Gain -1.8 dB Q 2.79 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5922 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 5.72 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4848 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 6.00 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4217 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 5.53 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 7202 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 204 Hz | −5.0 dB | 0.47 |
| 3 | Bell | 485 Hz | +3.9 dB | 0.56 |
| 4 | Bell | 3.9 kHz | +3.5 dB | 2.09 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.77 kHz | −1.8 dB | 2.79 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.92 kHz | +3.2 dB | 5.72 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.85 kHz | −2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.22 kHz | +1.0 dB | 5.53 |
| 10 | Bell | 7.2 kHz | −1.2 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −4.0 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 −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Beats EP use on a Mac?+
AAC. The EP 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 Beats EP?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, dips 125–250 Hz by about 3 dB, adds about 3 dB around 4 kHz, with a preamp of -4 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 Beats EP 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 Beats's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Beats'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 EP 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 Beats's published specifications. Beats EP is a trademark of Beats; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beats.