JBL Tune 520BT EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the JBL Tune 520BT, 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 at 31 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz and 3 dB around 8 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB at 16 kHz.
Tune 520BT at a glance
Wireless on-ear headphones without ANC, released in 2023. Official specifications from JBL:
- Driver size
- 33 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.3
- Battery life
- Up to 57 hours
- Weight
- 155 g
Sources: JBL: Tune 520BT specifications.
Using the Tune 520BT with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Tune 520BT 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 Tune 520BT in stereo music mode.
Multipoint. Connects to two devices at once; on a Mac, AAC is used regardless of the second device.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Tune 520BT. 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 at 31 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 2 kHz and 3 dB around 8 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB at 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:
- Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your Tune 520BT connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Tune 520BT (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Tune 520BT and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 8.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 62 Hz Gain -8.3 dB Q 0.79 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 3532 Hz Gain -6.8 dB Q 2.66 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2056 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 2.83 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4892 Hz Gain 3.8 dB Q 0.93 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 944 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 3.44 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 173 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 3.12 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 48 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.47 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 60 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 4.62
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 62 Hz | −8.3 dB | 0.79 |
| 3 | Bell | 3.53 kHz | −6.8 dB | 2.66 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.06 kHz | +2.0 dB | 2.83 |
| 5 | Bell | 4.89 kHz | +3.8 dB | 0.93 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 944 Hz | −1.5 dB | 3.44 |
| 8 | Bell | 173 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.12 |
| 9 | Bell | 48 Hz | −1.0 dB | 2.47 |
| 10 | Bell | 60 Hz | +1.4 dB | 4.62 |
Preamp: −6.4 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.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the JBL Tune 520BT use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Tune 520BT 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 520BT?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 7 dB of sub-bass, adds about 2 to 3 dB in the upper mids and treble, with a preamp of -6.4 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 520BT 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 JBL's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in JBL'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 Tune 520BT 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 520BT is a trademark of JBL; TuningMac is not affiliated with JBL.