HyperX Cloud MIX EQ settings for Mac

Measured EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud MIX, 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

  • Dips about 5 dB around 250 Hz to reduce muddiness.
  • Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz.
  • Adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz for clarity and detail.
  • Cuts about 7 dB above 16 kHz.
Get the exact values

Cloud MIX at a glance

Wired gaming headset with Bluetooth for on-the-go listening. Official specifications from HyperX:

Driver
40 mm, neodymium magnets
Frequency response
10 Hz – 40 kHz (wired)
Impedance
65 ohms (wired)
Bluetooth
4.2
Battery
Up to 20 h (Bluetooth)
Weight
260 g (without cable)

Sources: HyperX: Cloud MIX specifications.

Using the Cloud MIX with a Mac

Codec: AAC. The Cloud MIX support SBC and AAC, 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 MIX in stereo music mode.

What the measurements show

This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Cloud MIX. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:

−12 dB−6 dB+6 dB+12 dB20501002005001k2k5k10k20k
EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud MIX (AutoEQ, Rtings measurement). Above the line is a boost, below is a cut.
  • Dips about 5 dB around 250 Hz to reduce muddiness.
  • Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz.
  • Adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz for clarity and detail.
  • Cuts about 7 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:

  1. Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your Cloud MIX connected.
  2. Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Cloud MIX (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
  3. Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.

TuningMac saves it for your Cloud MIX and loads it whenever they connect.

ParametricEQ.txt (Equalizer APO / AutoEQ format)
Preamp: -6.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 4168 Hz Gain 6.9 dB Q 2.61
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 399 Hz Gain -5.3 dB Q 0.50
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1580 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 0.76
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7770 Hz Gain -5.7 dB Q 3.19
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6135 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 6.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2690 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 4.91
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 9766 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 72 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 4.35
#TypeFrequencyGainQ
1Low Shelf105 Hz−0.7 dB0.70
2Bell4.17 kHz+6.9 dB2.61
3Bell399 Hz−5.3 dB0.50
4Bell1.58 kHz+2.2 dB0.76
5Bell7.77 kHz−5.7 dB3.19
6High Shelf10 kHz−4.2 dB0.70
7Bell6.13 kHz+2.2 dB6.00
8Bell2.69 kHz−1.5 dB4.91
9Bell9.77 kHz+2.1 dB6.00
10Bell72 Hz+0.3 dB4.35

Preamp: −6.9 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 −7.0 dB.

31
+0.6
62
−1.1
125
−2.6
250
−4.7
500
+3.4
1k
−1.5
2k
−1.6
4k
+7.4
8k
−1.8
16k
−7.0

Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.

Questions

Which codec do the HyperX Cloud MIX use on a Mac?+

AAC. The Cloud MIX support SBC and AAC, 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 MIX?+

AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts about 5 dB around 250 Hz, adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz, cuts about 7 dB in the highest treble, with a preamp of -6.9 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 MIX 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 MIX on your Mac

Parametric and 10-band EQ, noise control and battery in the menu bar.

Download for Mac

EQ data from AutoEQ by Jaakko Pasanen (MIT licence), measurement by Rtings. Specifications from HyperX's published specifications. HyperX Cloud MIX is a trademark of HyperX; TuningMac is not affiliated with HyperX.