Klipsch T5 True Wireless EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Klipsch T5 True Wireless, 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 6 dB to the bass, from 31 to 125 Hz.
- Cuts about 4 dB from the upper bass, around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB to the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Adds about 8 dB to the top treble, around 16 kHz.
T5 True Wireless at a glance
True wireless earbuds. Official specifications from Klipsch:
- Driver
- 5 mm dynamic
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- Battery
- 8 h per charge
- Water resistance
- IPX4
Sources: Klipsch: T5 True Wireless spec sheet.
Using the T5 True Wireless with a Mac
Codec: AAC, not aptX. The T5 True Wireless support SBC, AAC and aptX, but macOS doesn't support aptX. On a Mac they play over AAC, which 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 T5 True Wireless in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the T5 True Wireless. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 6 dB to the bass, from 31 to 125 Hz.
- Cuts about 4 dB from the upper bass, around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB to the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Adds about 8 dB to 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 T5 True Wireless connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for T5 True Wireless (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your T5 True Wireless and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 4114 Hz Gain 5.8 dB Q 2.38 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1604 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 2.11 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 264 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 1.46 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 104 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 1.71 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6891 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 2.27 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5434 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 3.60 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 781 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 3.07 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 8842 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 4.46
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 4.11 kHz | +5.8 dB | 2.38 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.6 kHz | −3.7 dB | 2.11 |
| 4 | Bell | 264 Hz | −3.5 dB | 1.46 |
| 5 | Bell | 104 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.71 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 6.89 kHz | −4.4 dB | 2.27 |
| 8 | Bell | 5.43 kHz | +3.3 dB | 3.60 |
| 9 | Bell | 781 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.07 |
| 10 | Bell | 8.84 kHz | −2.6 dB | 4.46 |
Preamp: −6.2 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 −8.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Klipsch T5 True Wireless use on a Mac?+
AAC. The T5 True Wireless support SBC, AAC and aptX, but macOS doesn't support aptX, so on a Mac they play over AAC. That carries 20 Hz to 20 kHz audio at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the Klipsch T5 True Wireless?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 6 dB from 31 to 125 Hz, adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz, adds about 8 dB around 16 kHz, with a preamp of -6.2 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 Klipsch T5 True Wireless 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.
Should I turn off the EQ in Klipsch's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Klipsch'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 T5 True Wireless 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 Klipsch's published specifications. Klipsch T5 True Wireless is a trademark of Klipsch; TuningMac is not affiliated with Klipsch.