Google Pixel Buds A-Series EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Google Pixel Buds A-Series, 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 sub-bass by about 5 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 1 kHz.
Pixel Buds A-Series at a glance
Wireless earbuds without noise cancelling, released in 2021. Official specifications from Google:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Bluetooth codecs
- AAC, SBC
Using the Pixel Buds A-Series with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Pixel Buds A-Series support AAC and SBC, 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 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 Pixel Buds A-Series in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Pixel Buds A-Series. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts sub-bass by about 5 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 1 kHz.
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 Pixel Buds A-Series connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Pixel Buds A-Series (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Pixel Buds A-Series and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.5 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 220 Hz Gain 4.2 dB Q 0.61 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1408 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 1.28 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 56 Hz Gain -2.9 dB Q 0.88 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5498 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 3.76 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3073 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 2.43 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 7145 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 4.01 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 490 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.43 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4197 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 4.87
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 220 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.61 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.41 kHz | −4.3 dB | 1.28 |
| 4 | Bell | 56 Hz | −2.9 dB | 0.88 |
| 5 | Bell | 5.5 kHz | −2.2 dB | 3.76 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −1.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 3.07 kHz | +2.1 dB | 2.43 |
| 8 | Bell | 7.14 kHz | +1.4 dB | 4.01 |
| 9 | Bell | 490 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.43 |
| 10 | Bell | 4.2 kHz | −0.5 dB | 4.87 |
Preamp: −3.5 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 −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Google Pixel Buds A-Series use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Pixel Buds A-Series support AAC and SBC, 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 Google Pixel Buds A-Series?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts sub-bass by about 5 dB, adds about 3 dB around 250 Hz, dips about 2 dB around 1 kHz, with a preamp of -3.5 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 Google Pixel Buds A-Series 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 Google's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Google'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 Pixel Buds A-Series 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 Google's published specifications. Google Pixel Buds A-Series is a trademark of Google; TuningMac is not affiliated with Google.