HiFiMAN Sundara EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HiFiMAN Sundara, 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 1 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 2 dB around 62 Hz.
- Very flat mid-range.
- Cuts about 3 dB above 16 kHz.
Sundara at a glance
Open-back planar magnetic headphones (37 Ohm), released in 2017. Official specifications from HiFiMAN:
Sources: HiFiMAN: Sundara specifications.
Using the Sundara with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Sundara 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 Sundara in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the Sundara. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 1 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 2 dB around 62 Hz.
- Very flat mid-range.
- Cuts about 3 dB above 16 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 Sundara connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Sundara (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Sundara and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 62 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.61 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1764 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 1.22 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5498 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 4.77 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3424 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 5.16 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7764 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 5.27 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 9780 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.19 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 293 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 2.43 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 817 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 1.99
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +3.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 62 Hz | −3.0 dB | 0.61 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.76 kHz | +2.1 dB | 1.22 |
| 4 | Bell | 5.5 kHz | −3.2 dB | 4.77 |
| 5 | Bell | 3.42 kHz | −1.5 dB | 5.16 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.76 kHz | −0.6 dB | 5.27 |
| 8 | Bell | 9.78 kHz | +0.3 dB | 2.19 |
| 9 | Bell | 293 Hz | −0.3 dB | 2.43 |
| 10 | Bell | 817 Hz | −0.3 dB | 1.99 |
Preamp: −3.7 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 HiFiMAN Sundara use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Sundara 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 Sundara?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 1 dB of sub-bass, very flat mids, cuts about 3 dB above 16 kHz, with a preamp of -3.7 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 Sundara 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 Sundara 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 Sundara is a trademark of HiFiMAN; TuningMac is not affiliated with HiFiMAN.