Beats Powerbeats Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beats Powerbeats Pro, 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
- Leaves the bass mostly flat.
- Dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB.
- Adds about 4 dB around 8 kHz and 6 dB at 16 kHz.
Powerbeats Pro at a glance
Wireless sport earbuds with ear hooks and Apple H1 chip, released in 2019. Official specifications from Beats:
- Driver size
- 9.5 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0 with Apple H1 chip
- Chip
- Apple H1
- Battery life
- Up to 9 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (with case)
- Weight
- 10 g per earbud
Sources: Beats: Powerbeats Pro specifications.
Using the Powerbeats Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Powerbeats Pro support SBC and 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 earbuds' 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 Powerbeats Pro in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the Powerbeats Pro. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Leaves the bass mostly flat.
- Dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB.
- Adds about 4 dB around 8 kHz and 6 dB at 16 kHz.
Fit, ear tips 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 Powerbeats Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Powerbeats Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Powerbeats Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 6596 Hz Gain 6.1 dB Q 2.51 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2703 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 2.80 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1362 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 1.94 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3607 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 4.72 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 143 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 1.56 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 374 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 1.21 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4688 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 6.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 60 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 1.34
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 6.6 kHz | +6.1 dB | 2.51 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.7 kHz | −4.4 dB | 2.80 |
| 4 | Bell | 1.36 kHz | −2.1 dB | 1.94 |
| 5 | Bell | 3.61 kHz | +3.7 dB | 4.72 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 143 Hz | −1.2 dB | 1.56 |
| 8 | Bell | 374 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.21 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.69 kHz | −2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 60 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.34 |
Preamp: −6.4 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Powerbeats Pro support SBC and 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 Powerbeats Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, leaves the bass flat, dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB, adds about 4 to 6 dB in the treble, with a preamp of -6.4 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 Powerbeats Pro sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the earbuds' 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 earbuds, 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 Powerbeats Pro 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 Beats's published specifications. Beats Powerbeats Pro is a trademark of Beats; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beats.