HyperX Cloud Stinger EQ settings for Mac

Measured EQ correction for the HyperX Cloud Stinger, 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 5 dB around 125 Hz to reduce boominess.
  • Adds about 6 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz for body.
  • Cuts about 5 dB around 2 kHz.
  • Cuts about 9 dB above 16 kHz.
Get the exact values

Cloud Stinger at a glance

Lightweight wired gaming headset with swivel-to-mute mic. Official specifications from HyperX:

Driver
50 mm, directional
Frequency response
18 Hz – 23 kHz
Impedance
30 ohms
Weight
275 g

Sources: HyperX: Cloud Stinger specifications.

Using the Cloud Stinger with a Mac

Codec: AAC. The Cloud Stinger 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 Stinger in stereo music mode.

What the measurements show

This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Cloud Stinger. 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 Stinger (AutoEQ, Rtings measurement). Above the line is a boost, below is a cut.
  • Cuts about 5 dB around 125 Hz to reduce boominess.
  • Adds about 6 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz for body.
  • Cuts about 5 dB around 2 kHz.
  • Cuts about 9 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 Stinger connected.
  2. Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Cloud Stinger (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
  3. Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.

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

ParametricEQ.txt (Equalizer APO / AutoEQ format)
Preamp: -6.1 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -5.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 833 Hz Gain 6.1 dB Q 0.82
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 117 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.56
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4199 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 3.37
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 230 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 1.04
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -7.3 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7640 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 3.20
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6088 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 6.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2478 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 9758 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 6.00
#TypeFrequencyGainQ
1Low Shelf105 Hz−5.8 dB0.70
2Bell833 Hz+6.1 dB0.82
3Bell117 Hz−2.3 dB0.56
4Bell4.2 kHz+2.9 dB3.37
5Bell230 Hz−4.2 dB1.04
6High Shelf10 kHz−7.3 dB0.70
7Bell7.64 kHz−3.0 dB3.20
8Bell6.09 kHz+2.1 dB6.00
9Bell2.48 kHz−0.6 dB6.00
10Bell9.76 kHz+2.7 dB6.00

Preamp: −6.1 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 −6.0 dB.

31
−1.9
62
−1.4
125
−5.2
250
+1.0
500
+5.6
1k
+1.1
2k
−5.3
4k
+3.8
8k
−2.1
16k
−9.4

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

Questions

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

AAC. The Cloud Stinger 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 Stinger?+

AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts bass boominess by 5 dB, adds about 6 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz, cuts treble above 16 kHz sharply, with a preamp of -6.1 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 Stinger 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 Stinger 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 Stinger is a trademark of HyperX; TuningMac is not affiliated with HyperX.