HIFIMAN HE-X4 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HIFIMAN HE-X4, 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 2 dB around 73–105 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 236 Hz.
- Dips about 3 dB around 909 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 1909 Hz.
HE-X4 at a glance
Open-back planar magnetic headphones, budget-friendly with a full-size driver. Official specifications from HiFiMAN:
- Driver
- Planar magnetic
- Impedance
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- Weight
- 390 g
- Cable
- Detachable 3.5 mm
Sources:
Using the HE-X4 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The HE-X4 support Wired, 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 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 HE-X4 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the HE-X4. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 2 dB around 73–105 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 236 Hz.
- Dips about 3 dB around 909 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 1909 Hz.
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 HE-X4 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for HE-X4 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your HE-X4 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 73 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 1.15 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1909 Hz Gain 5.4 dB Q 2.30 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 909 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 2.50 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 236 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 0.75 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.9 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4259 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 4.20 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 3059 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 3.88 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5435 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 5.85 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 6777 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 5.95
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 73 Hz | −2.7 dB | 1.15 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.91 kHz | +5.4 dB | 2.30 |
| 4 | Bell | 909 Hz | −2.6 dB | 2.50 |
| 5 | Bell | 236 Hz | −2.1 dB | 0.75 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.26 kHz | +2.5 dB | 4.20 |
| 8 | Bell | 3.06 kHz | −1.1 dB | 3.88 |
| 9 | Bell | 5.43 kHz | −0.9 dB | 5.85 |
| 10 | Bell | 6.78 kHz | +1.3 dB | 5.95 |
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
Which codec do the HIFIMAN HE-X4 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The HE-X4 support Wired, 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 HIFIMAN HE-X4?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 2 dB in the bass, adds about 1 dB in the mids, dips about 2 dB in the low-mids, 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 HIFIMAN HE-X4 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.
Should I turn off the EQ in HiFiMAN's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in HiFiMAN'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 HE-X4 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 HiFiMAN's published specifications. HIFIMAN HE-X4 is a trademark of HiFiMAN; TuningMac is not affiliated with HiFiMAN.