HyperX Cloud II EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud II, 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 cut to tighten low end.
- Adds about 4 dB around 4 kHz for presence.
- Cuts about 9 dB above 8 kHz to tame harsh treble.
Cloud II at a glance
Wired gaming headset with virtual 7.1 surround sound. Official specifications from HyperX:
- Driver
- 53 mm, neodymium magnets
- Frequency response
- 15 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance
- 60 ohms
- Weight
- 320 g (without cable)
Sources: HyperX: Cloud II specifications.
Using the Cloud II with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Cloud II 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 II in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Cloud II. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight bass cut to tighten low end.
- Adds about 4 dB around 4 kHz for presence.
- Cuts about 9 dB above 8 kHz to tame harsh treble.
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 II connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Cloud II (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Cloud II and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.6 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 173 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 0.57 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 586 Hz Gain -2.9 dB Q 1.84 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4137 Hz Gain 4.1 dB Q 2.75 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7803 Hz Gain -8.7 dB Q 3.67 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -9.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6166 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 6.00 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1565 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 2.03 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3216 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 6.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 9756 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 173 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.57 |
| 3 | Bell | 586 Hz | −2.9 dB | 1.84 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.14 kHz | +4.1 dB | 2.75 |
| 5 | Bell | 7.8 kHz | −8.7 dB | 3.67 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −9.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.17 kHz | +3.3 dB | 6.00 |
| 8 | Bell | 1.56 kHz | −1.7 dB | 2.03 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.22 kHz | −1.3 dB | 6.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 9.76 kHz | +3.1 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −4.6 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 −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the HyperX Cloud II use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Cloud II 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 II?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 4 dB around 4 kHz, cuts about 9 dB in the treble to reduce harshness, with a preamp of -4.6 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 II 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 II 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 II is a trademark of HyperX; TuningMac is not affiliated with HyperX.