Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, 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 1 to 2 dB in the low mids around 125 to 500 Hz.
- Dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB at 8 kHz and 8 dB at 16 kHz.
Powerbeats Pro 2 at a glance
Wireless sport earbuds with ear hooks, released in 2025. Official specifications from Beats:
- Driver size
- 9.5 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.3
- Chip
- Apple H2
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (with case)
- Weight
- 6.8 g per earbud
Sources: Beats: Powerbeats Pro 2 specifications.
Using the Powerbeats Pro 2 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Powerbeats Pro 2 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 2 in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Beats's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Beats's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on DHRME's measurements of the Powerbeats Pro 2. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 1 to 2 dB in the low mids around 125 to 500 Hz.
- Dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB at 8 kHz and 8 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 2 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Powerbeats Pro 2 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Powerbeats Pro 2 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 9465 Hz Gain 5.8 dB Q 3.34 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 329 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 0.40 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2539 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 2.64 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1146 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.87 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5858 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 2.73 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4226 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 3.69 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 50 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 2.29 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 85 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 1.88
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | 0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 9.46 kHz | +5.8 dB | 3.34 |
| 3 | Bell | 329 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.40 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.54 kHz | −3.3 dB | 2.64 |
| 5 | Bell | 1.15 kHz | −2.0 dB | 0.87 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.86 kHz | −2.4 dB | 2.73 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.23 kHz | +1.9 dB | 3.69 |
| 9 | Bell | 50 Hz | −0.7 dB | 2.29 |
| 10 | Bell | 85 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.88 |
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 −8.0 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 2 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Powerbeats Pro 2 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 2?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on DHRME's measurements, adds about 1 to 2 dB in the low mids, dips 2 kHz by about 3 dB, adds about 8 dB at 16 kHz, 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 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.
Can I control the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Beats's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Beats's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
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 2 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 DHRME. Specifications from Beats's published specifications. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is a trademark of Beats; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beats.