Beats Solo Buds EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beats Solo Buds, 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 2 dB around 125 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Dips 2 to 4 kHz by about 3 to 5 dB.
- Adds about 12 dB at 16 kHz.
Solo Buds at a glance
Wireless earbuds without ANC, released in 2024. Official specifications from Beats:
- Driver size
- 8.2 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.3
- Battery life
- Up to 18 hours (earbuds only, no case battery)
- Weight
- 5.7 g per earbud
Sources: Beats: Solo Buds specifications.
Using the Solo Buds with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Solo Buds 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 Solo Buds in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Solo Buds. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 2 dB around 125 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Dips 2 to 4 kHz by about 3 to 5 dB.
- Adds about 12 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 Solo Buds connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Solo Buds (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Solo Buds and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 425 Hz Gain 4.1 dB Q 1.19 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1890 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 0.80 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 155 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 1.43 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 42 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 1.25 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 6.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 8413 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 3.52 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4999 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 5.02 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2837 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 4.40 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 839 Hz Gain -0.2 dB Q 1.59
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 425 Hz | +4.1 dB | 1.19 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.89 kHz | −4.9 dB | 0.80 |
| 4 | Bell | 155 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.43 |
| 5 | Bell | 42 Hz | −1.6 dB | 1.25 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 8.41 kHz | +2.0 dB | 3.52 |
| 8 | Bell | 5 kHz | −1.6 dB | 5.02 |
| 9 | Bell | 2.84 kHz | −0.6 dB | 4.40 |
| 10 | Bell | 839 Hz | −0.2 dB | 1.59 |
Preamp: −6.3 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 −12.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Beats Solo Buds use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Solo Buds 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 Solo Buds?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB in the low mids, dips 2–4 kHz by about 4 dB, adds about 12 dB at 16 kHz, with a preamp of -6.3 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 Solo Buds 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 Solo Buds 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 Solo Buds is a trademark of Beats; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beats.