Beyerdynamic DT 880 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beyerdynamic DT 880, 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 of sub-bass.
- Relatively flat through the mid-range.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 8 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 16 kHz.
DT 880 at a glance
Semi-open reference headphones (250 Ohm), a mixing classic since 1980. Official specifications from Beyerdynamic:
Sources: Beyerdynamic: DT 880 specifications.
Using the DT 880 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The DT 880 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 DT 880 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the DT 880. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 2 dB of sub-bass.
- Relatively flat through the mid-range.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 8 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 16 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 DT 880 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for DT 880 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your DT 880 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.1 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 62 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 0.53 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 5867 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 4.36 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 8233 Hz Gain -4.7 dB Q 4.07 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2188 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 2.36 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 190 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 2.84 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6791 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 5.88 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4017 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 2.84 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 903 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 2.37
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 62 Hz | −2.7 dB | 0.53 |
| 3 | Bell | 5.87 kHz | −5.5 dB | 4.36 |
| 4 | Bell | 8.23 kHz | −4.7 dB | 4.07 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.19 kHz | +1.4 dB | 2.36 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 190 Hz | −0.9 dB | 2.84 |
| 8 | Bell | 6.79 kHz | +2.7 dB | 5.88 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.02 kHz | −0.6 dB | 2.84 |
| 10 | Bell | 903 Hz | −0.4 dB | 2.37 |
Preamp: −4.1 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 −4.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Beyerdynamic DT 880 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The DT 880 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 Beyerdynamic DT 880?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 2 dB of sub-bass, relatively flat mids, cuts about 4 dB around 8–16 kHz, with a preamp of -4.1 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 Beyerdynamic DT 880 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 Beyerdynamic's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Beyerdynamic'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 DT 880 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 Beyerdynamic's published specifications. Beyerdynamic DT 880 is a trademark of Beyerdynamic; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beyerdynamic.