JBL Tune 230NC TWS EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the JBL Tune 230NC TWS, 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 the bass from 31 to 125 Hz by 2 to 7 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Rolls the top treble at 16 kHz down by about 12 dB.
Tune 230NC at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, released in 2021. Official specifications from JBL:
- Driver size
- 6 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.2
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (with case)
- Weight
- 5.1 g per earbud
Sources: JBL: Tune 230NC TWS specifications.
Using the Tune 230NC with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Tune 230NC 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 earbuds' 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 Tune 230NC in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch JBL's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or JBL's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Tune 230NC. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts the bass from 31 to 125 Hz by 2 to 7 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Rolls the top treble at 16 kHz down by about 12 dB.
Fit, ear tips 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 Tune 230NC connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Tune 230NC (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Tune 230NC and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -2.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -5.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 793 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 1.13 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4508 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 2.57 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 152 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 2.43 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1252 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 1.93 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -6.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 69 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 2.00 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 26 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 2.72 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5898 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 4.93 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 115 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 3.12
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 793 Hz | +2.7 dB | 1.13 |
| 3 | Bell | 4.51 kHz | +2.0 dB | 2.57 |
| 4 | Bell | 152 Hz | −1.2 dB | 2.43 |
| 5 | Bell | 1.25 kHz | −2.1 dB | 1.93 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 69 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.00 |
| 8 | Bell | 26 Hz | −1.3 dB | 2.72 |
| 9 | Bell | 5.9 kHz | +1.5 dB | 4.93 |
| 10 | Bell | 115 Hz | −0.6 dB | 3.12 |
Preamp: −2.2 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 −2.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the JBL Tune 230NC TWS use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Tune 230NC 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 JBL Tune 230NC TWS?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts bass by about 4 dB, adds about 2 dB in the mids, heavy treble roll-off at 16 kHz, with a preamp of -2.2 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 JBL Tune 230NC TWS sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the earbuds' 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.
Can I control the JBL Tune 230NC TWS's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch JBL's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or JBL's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in JBL's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in JBL's app is applied inside the earbuds, 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 Tune 230NC 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 JBL's published specifications. JBL Tune 230NC TWS is a trademark of JBL; TuningMac is not affiliated with JBL.