Etymotic ER2SE EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Etymotic ER2SE, 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 7 dB around 7.6 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB of bass shelf below 105 Hz.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 1.8 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 800 Hz.
ER2SE at a glance
Wired studio-edition in-ear monitor with dynamic driver, released in 2019. Official specifications from Etymotic:
- Driver
- Single dynamic
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz – 16 kHz
- Impedance
- 15 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 96 dB SPL/mW
- Connector
- MMCX (detachable cable)
Sources: Etymotic: ER2SE specifications.
Using the ER2SE with a Mac
Wired, so no Bluetooth codec. The ER2SE connect with a cable, so nothing is compressed on the way: plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC.
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 ER2SE in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the ER2SE. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 7 dB around 7.6 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB of bass shelf below 105 Hz.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 1.8 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 800 Hz.
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 ER2SE connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for ER2SE (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your ER2SE and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 7641 Hz Gain 7.2 dB Q 0.59 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1757 Hz Gain -6.3 dB Q 0.29 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 803 Hz Gain 5.2 dB Q 0.92 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3742 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 2.11 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 74 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 2.33 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 185 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 1.52 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1404 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 3.73 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 399 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.15
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 7.64 kHz | +7.2 dB | 0.59 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.76 kHz | −6.3 dB | 0.29 |
| 4 | Bell | 803 Hz | +5.2 dB | 0.92 |
| 5 | Bell | 3.74 kHz | +1.8 dB | 2.11 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 74 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.33 |
| 8 | Bell | 185 Hz | −0.4 dB | 1.52 |
| 9 | Bell | 1.4 kHz | −0.4 dB | 3.73 |
| 10 | Bell | 399 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.15 |
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 −7.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Do the Etymotic ER2SE need a Bluetooth codec on a Mac?+
None: the ER2SE are wired. Plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC, and the sound reaches them without Bluetooth compression.
What are the best EQ settings for the Etymotic ER2SE?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 7 dB around 7.6 kHz, adds about 6 dB of bass, cuts about 6 dB around 1.8 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 Etymotic ER2SE 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 Etymotic's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Etymotic'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 ER2SE 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 Etymotic's published specifications. Etymotic ER2SE is a trademark of Etymotic; TuningMac is not affiliated with Etymotic.