Edifier WH950NB EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Edifier WH950NB, 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
- Cuts about 4 dB from the bass, from 125 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB to the upper mids, around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB from the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB to the treble, from 8 to 16 kHz.
WH950NB at a glance
Wireless over-ear headphones with ANC and LDAC. Official specifications from Edifier:
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- ANC
- Yes, with ambient sound mode
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- 34 h (ANC on), 55 h (ANC off)
- Weight
- Around 296 g
Sources: Edifier: WH950NB.
Using the WH950NB with a Mac
Codec: SBC, not LDAC. The WH950NB support SBC and LDAC. macOS doesn't support LDAC, and the headphones don't offer AAC, so on a Mac they play over SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec every pair supports.
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 WH950NB in stereo music mode.
Multipoint. Connects to two devices at once, so the Mac and your phone can both stay connected.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Edifier's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Edifier's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Kuulokenurkka's measurements of the WH950NB. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 4 dB from the bass, from 125 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB to the upper mids, around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 4 dB from the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB to the treble, from 8 to 16 kHz.
Measured with ANC on, in Edifier's Classic sound mode.
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 WH950NB connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for WH950NB (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your WH950NB and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 208 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 1.18 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1566 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 1.29 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4911 Hz Gain -6.5 dB Q 2.52 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7942 Hz Gain 4.3 dB Q 0.95 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 2950 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 5.47 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 39 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 3.18 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 59 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 2.45 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2248 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 3.75
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 208 Hz | −3.8 dB | 1.18 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.57 kHz | +2.7 dB | 1.29 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.91 kHz | −6.5 dB | 2.52 |
| 5 | Bell | 7.94 kHz | +4.3 dB | 0.95 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 2.95 kHz | −3.6 dB | 5.47 |
| 8 | Bell | 39 Hz | −2.1 dB | 3.18 |
| 9 | Bell | 59 Hz | +1.5 dB | 2.45 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.25 kHz | +1.5 dB | 3.75 |
Preamp: −4.2 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 −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Does the Edifier WH950NB use LDAC on a Mac?+
No, SBC. The WH950NB support SBC and LDAC, but macOS doesn't support LDAC and they don't offer AAC, so a Mac uses SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec.
What are the best EQ settings for the Edifier WH950NB?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Kuulokenurkka's measurements, cuts about 4 dB from 125 to 250 Hz, cuts about 4 dB around 4 kHz, adds about 6 dB from 8 to 16 kHz, with a preamp of -4.2 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 Edifier WH950NB 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.
Can I control the Edifier WH950NB's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Edifier's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Edifier's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Edifier's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Edifier'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 WH950NB 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 Kuulokenurkka. Specifications from Edifier's published specifications. Edifier WH950NB is a trademark of Edifier; TuningMac is not affiliated with Edifier.