HyperX Cloud Alpha EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud Alpha, 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
- Slight bass boost around 31–62 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz for clarity.
- Cuts about 6 dB above 10 kHz.
Cloud Alpha at a glance
Wired gaming headset with dual-chamber driver design. Official specifications from HyperX:
- Driver
- 50 mm, dual-chamber neodymium
- Frequency response
- 13 Hz – 27 kHz
- Impedance
- 65 ohms
- Weight
- 298 g (without cable)
Sources: HyperX: Cloud Alpha specifications.
Using the Cloud Alpha with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Cloud Alpha 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 Cloud Alpha in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Cloud Alpha. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight bass boost around 31–62 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz for clarity.
- Cuts about 6 dB above 10 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 Cloud Alpha connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Cloud Alpha (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Cloud Alpha and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.6 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 135 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 0.77 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4101 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 2.20 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 721 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.73 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1750 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 1.31 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6027 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 6.00 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 7795 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 4.50 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 9697 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 6.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 290 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 135 Hz | −3.3 dB | 0.77 |
| 3 | Bell | 4.1 kHz | +6.6 dB | 2.20 |
| 4 | Bell | 721 Hz | −3.1 dB | 0.73 |
| 5 | Bell | 1.75 kHz | +2.0 dB | 1.31 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.03 kHz | +2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| 8 | Bell | 7.79 kHz | −5.1 dB | 4.50 |
| 9 | Bell | 9.7 kHz | +4.5 dB | 6.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 290 Hz | −0.3 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −6.6 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 −5.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the HyperX Cloud Alpha use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Cloud Alpha 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 HyperX Cloud Alpha?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz for clarity, cuts about 6 dB in the highest treble, with a preamp of -6.6 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 HyperX Cloud Alpha 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 HyperX's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in HyperX'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 Cloud Alpha 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 HyperX's published specifications. HyperX Cloud Alpha is a trademark of HyperX; TuningMac is not affiliated with HyperX.