Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, 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.
- Relatively flat mid-range.
- Cuts about 4 dB around 8 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 16 kHz.
DT 900 Pro X at a glance
Open-back studio headphones (48 Ohm), released in 2021. Official specifications from Beyerdynamic:
Using the DT 900 Pro X with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The DT 900 Pro X 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 900 Pro X in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the DT 900 Pro X. 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.
- Relatively flat 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 900 Pro X connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for DT 900 Pro X (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your DT 900 Pro X and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 4.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5072 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 5.80 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.62 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 8296 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 2.69 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2138 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 2.18 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5703 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 4.33 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 167 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.40 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1155 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 2.84 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 3312 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 5.17
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 5.07 kHz | −4.3 dB | 5.80 |
| 3 | Bell | 54 Hz | −2.3 dB | 0.62 |
| 4 | Bell | 8.3 kHz | −5.2 dB | 2.69 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.14 kHz | +2.5 dB | 2.18 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.7 kHz | +2.3 dB | 4.33 |
| 8 | Bell | 167 Hz | −1.0 dB | 2.40 |
| 9 | Bell | 1.16 kHz | −0.8 dB | 2.84 |
| 10 | Bell | 3.31 kHz | +0.5 dB | 5.17 |
Preamp: −4.8 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 −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 900 Pro X use on a Mac?+
AAC. The DT 900 Pro X 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 900 Pro X?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, relatively flat mids, cuts about 4 dB around 8–16 kHz, with a preamp of -4.8 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 Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X 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 900 Pro X 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 900 Pro X is a trademark of Beyerdynamic; TuningMac is not affiliated with Beyerdynamic.