Google Pixel Buds Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Google Pixel Buds Pro, 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 2 dB.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 62–125 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 4 kHz.
- Cuts treble above 8 kHz by about 3–4 dB.
Pixel Buds Pro at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, released in 2022. Official specifications from Google:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Bluetooth codecs
- AAC, SBC
Sources: Google: Pixel Buds Pro specifications.
Using the Pixel Buds Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Pixel Buds Pro 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 Pro in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Google's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Google's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Pixel Buds Pro. 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 2 dB.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 62–125 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 4 kHz.
- Cuts treble above 8 kHz by about 3–4 dB.
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 Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Pixel Buds Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Pixel Buds Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 195 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 1.34 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1406 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 0.79 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 516 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 1.06 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6227 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 2.57 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3707 Hz Gain 3.4 dB Q 3.38 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 51 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 1.04 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7869 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 5.26 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4816 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 5.87
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 195 Hz | −3.2 dB | 1.34 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.41 kHz | +1.9 dB | 0.79 |
| 4 | Bell | 516 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.06 |
| 5 | Bell | 6.23 kHz | −4.2 dB | 2.57 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 3.71 kHz | +3.4 dB | 3.38 |
| 8 | Bell | 51 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.04 |
| 9 | Bell | 7.87 kHz | −0.8 dB | 5.26 |
| 10 | Bell | 4.82 kHz | −1.4 dB | 5.87 |
Preamp: −3.3 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 −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 Pro use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Pixel Buds Pro 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 Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts sub-bass by about 2 dB, gentle bass cut, adds about 2 dB around 4 kHz, cuts upper treble, with a preamp of -3.3 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 Google Pixel Buds Pro 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.
Can I control the Google Pixel Buds Pro's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Google's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Google's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
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 Pro 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 Pro is a trademark of Google; TuningMac is not affiliated with Google.