HyperX Cloud III EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud III, 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 7 dB of sub-bass for deeper rumble.
- Adds about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 1–2 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4 kHz, then cuts 5 dB around 8 kHz.
Cloud III at a glance
Wired/USB gaming headset with angled 53 mm drivers. Official specifications from HyperX:
- Driver
- 53 mm with neodymium magnets
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz – 21 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 ohms
- Weight
- 308 g (without cable)
Sources: HyperX: Cloud III specifications.
Using the Cloud III with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Cloud III 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 III in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Cloud III. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 7 dB of sub-bass for deeper rumble.
- Adds about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 1–2 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4 kHz, then cuts 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 Cloud III connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Cloud III (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Cloud III and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 50 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 0.72 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 200 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 0.30 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4069 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 3.62 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 727 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 0.45 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7792 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 3.64 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1990 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 2.09 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3069 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 4.13 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 5862 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 50 Hz | −1.6 dB | 0.72 |
| 3 | Bell | 200 Hz | +2.2 dB | 0.30 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.07 kHz | +3.7 dB | 3.62 |
| 5 | Bell | 727 Hz | −3.2 dB | 0.45 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.79 kHz | −3.2 dB | 3.64 |
| 8 | Bell | 1.99 kHz | −1.5 dB | 2.09 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.07 kHz | −2.2 dB | 4.13 |
| 10 | Bell | 5.86 kHz | +1.9 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −5.3 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 −8.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the HyperX Cloud III use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Cloud III 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 III?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, boosts sub-bass by about 7 dB, adds about 5 dB around 4 kHz, cuts about 5 dB around 8 kHz, with a preamp of -5.3 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 III 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 III 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 III is a trademark of HyperX; TuningMac is not affiliated with HyperX.