Huawei FreeBuds 4i EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Huawei FreeBuds 4i, 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 about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2–4 kHz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 8–16 kHz.
FreeBuds 4i at a glance
True wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, released in 2021. Official specifications from Huawei:
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- ANC
- Active noise cancellation
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Battery
- Up to 10 h (ANC off), 7.5 h (ANC on)
- Weight
- ≈ 5.5 g per bud, ≈ 36.5 g case
Sources: Huawei: FreeBuds 4i.
Using the FreeBuds 4i with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The FreeBuds 4i 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 FreeBuds 4i in stereo music mode.
ANC not controllable TuningMac cannot change noise-control modes on Huawei earbuds. Use the Huawei AI Life app on a phone or the touch gesture on the buds.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Huawei's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Huawei's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the FreeBuds 4i. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2–4 kHz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 8–16 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 FreeBuds 4i connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for FreeBuds 4i (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your FreeBuds 4i and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 159 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 1.19 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.8 dB Q 1.23 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2515 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 4.68 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 892 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 1.16 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4376 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 3.08 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 3276 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 4.56 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 6745 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 4.70 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 51 Hz Gain -0.1 dB Q 1.13
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 159 Hz | −3.3 dB | 1.19 |
| 3 | Bell | 10 kHz | +3.8 dB | 1.23 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.52 kHz | +4.0 dB | 4.68 |
| 5 | Bell | 892 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.16 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.38 kHz | +2.1 dB | 3.08 |
| 8 | Bell | 3.28 kHz | −1.5 dB | 4.56 |
| 9 | Bell | 6.75 kHz | −1.5 dB | 4.70 |
| 10 | Bell | 51 Hz | −0.1 dB | 1.13 |
Preamp: −4.2 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 Huawei FreeBuds 4i use on a Mac?+
AAC. The FreeBuds 4i 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 Huawei FreeBuds 4i?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, cuts about 3 dB around 125 Hz, adds about 2 dB in the upper mids, adds about 3 dB in the treble, with a preamp of -4.2 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 Huawei FreeBuds 4i 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 Huawei FreeBuds 4i's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Huawei's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Huawei's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Huawei's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Huawei'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 FreeBuds 4i 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 Huawei's published specifications. Huawei FreeBuds 4i is a trademark of Huawei; TuningMac is not affiliated with Huawei.