JBL Tune Buds EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the JBL Tune Buds, 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 62 Hz by 5 to 8 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB in the low mids around 125 to 250 Hz.
- Dips 4 to 8 kHz by about 4 dB.
- Adds about 12 dB at 16 kHz.
Tune Buds at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, released in 2023. Official specifications from JBL:
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- Bluetooth version
- 5.3
- Battery life
- Up to 10 hours (earbuds), 48 hours (with case)
- Weight
- 5.7 g per earbud
Sources: JBL: Tune Buds specifications.
Using the Tune Buds with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Tune Buds 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 Buds 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 Buds. 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 62 Hz by 5 to 8 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB in the low mids around 125 to 250 Hz.
- Dips 4 to 8 kHz by about 4 dB.
- Adds about 12 dB at 16 kHz.
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 Buds connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Tune Buds (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Tune Buds and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -5.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5536 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 1.21 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 46 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 0.99 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 118 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 0.60 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 426 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 0.18 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9066 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 3.61 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 649 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 3.00 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 99 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 6.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 114 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 5.54 kHz | −5.5 dB | 1.21 |
| 3 | Bell | 46 Hz | −3.7 dB | 0.99 |
| 4 | Bell | 118 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.60 |
| 5 | Bell | 426 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.18 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9.07 kHz | −3.8 dB | 3.61 |
| 8 | Bell | 649 Hz | −0.5 dB | 3.00 |
| 9 | Bell | 99 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 114 Hz | −1.4 dB | 6.00 |
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 −12.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the JBL Tune Buds use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Tune Buds 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 Buds?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts bass by about 6 dB, dips 4–8 kHz by about 4 dB, adds about 12 dB at 16 kHz, 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 Buds 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 Buds'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 Buds 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 Buds is a trademark of JBL; TuningMac is not affiliated with JBL.