HiFiMAN HE400se EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HiFiMAN HE400se, 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 3 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 8 kHz.
HE400se at a glance
Open-back planar magnetic headphones (25 Ohm), budget entry planar, released in 2021. Official specifications from HiFiMAN:
Sources: HiFiMAN: HE400se specifications.
Using the HE400se with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The HE400se support , 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 HE400se in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the HE400se. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 3 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB around 8 kHz.
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 HE400se connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for HE400se (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your HE400se and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 62 Hz Gain -5.8 dB Q 0.62 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2177 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 1.95 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5413 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 3.30 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8201 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 4.05 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6482 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 4.77 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 3671 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 4.60 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 199 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.32 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 974 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 2.33
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 62 Hz | −5.8 dB | 0.62 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.18 kHz | +2.8 dB | 1.95 |
| 4 | Bell | 5.41 kHz | −2.3 dB | 3.30 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.2 kHz | −5.5 dB | 4.05 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.48 kHz | +1.1 dB | 4.77 |
| 8 | Bell | 3.67 kHz | −0.3 dB | 4.60 |
| 9 | Bell | 199 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.32 |
| 10 | Bell | 974 Hz | −0.4 dB | 2.33 |
Preamp: −5.8 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 −4.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the HiFiMAN HE400se use on a Mac?+
AAC. The HE400se support , 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 HE400se?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, dips about 3 dB around 62 Hz, cuts about 5 dB around 8 kHz, with a preamp of -5.8 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 HE400se 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 HE400se 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 HiFiMAN's published specifications. HiFiMAN HE400se is a trademark of HiFiMAN; TuningMac is not affiliated with HiFiMAN.