JLab JBuds Air ANC EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the JLab JBuds Air ANC, 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 4 dB from the bass, around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB to the lower mids, around 500 Hz.
- Cuts about 3 dB from the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the top treble, around 16 kHz.
JBuds Air ANC at a glance
True wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling. Official specifications from JLab:
- Driver
- 12 mm dynamic
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Battery
- 40+ h total (24+ h with ANC)
- Water resistance
- IP55
- Weight
- 5 g per earbud
Sources: JLab: JBuds Air ANC tech specs.
Using the JBuds Air ANC with a Mac
Codec: AAC or SBC. JLab doesn't list which Bluetooth codecs the JBuds Air ANC support. A Mac uses AAC when headphones offer it and SBC otherwise, and TuningMac's Device Info shows which one is in use.
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 JBuds Air ANC in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch JLab's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or JLab'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 JBuds Air ANC. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 4 dB from the bass, around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB to the lower mids, around 500 Hz.
- Cuts about 3 dB from the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the top treble, around 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 JBuds Air ANC connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for JBuds Air ANC (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your JBuds Air ANC and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 434 Hz Gain 5.6 dB Q 0.57 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 145 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 0.46 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4656 Hz Gain -4.1 dB Q 1.63 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2150 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 2.59 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6297 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 6.00 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 7545 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 4.76 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 42 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 1.88 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 70 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 2.66
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 434 Hz | +5.6 dB | 0.57 |
| 3 | Bell | 145 Hz | −5.5 dB | 0.46 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.66 kHz | −4.1 dB | 1.63 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.15 kHz | +2.9 dB | 2.59 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.3 kHz | +2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| 8 | Bell | 7.54 kHz | −1.2 dB | 4.76 |
| 9 | Bell | 42 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.88 |
| 10 | Bell | 70 Hz | −0.7 dB | 2.66 |
Preamp: −3.7 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 −4.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the JLab JBuds Air ANC use on a Mac?+
JLab doesn't list which Bluetooth codecs the JBuds Air ANC support. A Mac uses AAC when headphones offer it and SBC otherwise, and TuningMac's Device Info shows which one is in use.
What are the best EQ settings for the JLab JBuds Air ANC?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts about 4 dB around 125 Hz, adds about 4 dB around 500 Hz, cuts about 5 dB around 16 kHz, with a preamp of -3.7 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 JLab JBuds Air ANC 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 JLab JBuds Air ANC's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch JLab's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or JLab's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in JLab's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in JLab'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 JBuds Air ANC 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 JLab's published specifications. JLab JBuds Air ANC is a trademark of JLab; TuningMac is not affiliated with JLab.