Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+, 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
- Lowers the bass below 250 Hz by about 3 to 5.5 dB, most near 180 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB near 700 Hz.
- Adds about 4.5 to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz, most near 4 kHz.
- Turns the treble down by about 1.5 to 5 dB from 9 kHz up.
Melomania 1+ at a glance
True wireless earbuds with graphene drivers. Official specifications from Cambridge Audio:
- Driver
- 5.8 mm dynamic, graphene enhanced
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- Battery
- Up to 9 h per charge
- Water resistance
- IPX5 (earbuds)
- Weight
- 4.6 g per earbud
Sources: Cambridge Audio: Melomania 1+.
Using the Melomania 1+ with a Mac
Codec: AAC, not aptX. The Melomania 1+ support SBC, AAC and aptX, but macOS doesn't support aptX. On a Mac they play over AAC, which 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 Melomania 1+ in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Melomania 1+. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Lowers the bass below 250 Hz by about 3 to 5.5 dB, most near 180 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB near 700 Hz.
- Adds about 4.5 to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz, most near 4 kHz.
- Turns the treble down by about 1.5 to 5 dB from 9 kHz up.
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 Melomania 1+ connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Melomania 1+ (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Melomania 1+ and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 185 Hz Gain -5.3 dB Q 0.69 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 5532 Hz Gain 4.6 dB Q 4.13 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 734 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 1.54 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4034 Hz Gain 5.9 dB Q 2.10 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1896 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 2.84 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 67 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 1.78 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 115 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 2.44 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1171 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 3.16
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 185 Hz | −5.3 dB | 0.69 |
| 3 | Bell | 5.53 kHz | +4.6 dB | 4.13 |
| 4 | Bell | 734 Hz | +3.7 dB | 1.54 |
| 5 | Bell | 4.03 kHz | +5.9 dB | 2.10 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 1.9 kHz | +1.0 dB | 2.84 |
| 8 | Bell | 67 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.78 |
| 9 | Bell | 115 Hz | −0.4 dB | 2.44 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.17 kHz | −0.5 dB | 3.16 |
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 −7.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Melomania 1+ support SBC, AAC and aptX, but macOS doesn't support aptX, so on a Mac they play over AAC. That carries 20 Hz to 20 kHz audio at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, lowers the bass below 250 Hz by up to 5.5 dB, adds up to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz and turns the treble down by up to 5 dB from 9 kHz up, 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 Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ 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 Cambridge Audio's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Cambridge Audio'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 Melomania 1+ 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 Cambridge Audio's published specifications. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ is a trademark of Cambridge Audio; TuningMac is not affiliated with Cambridge Audio.