Master & Dynamic MW08 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Master & Dynamic MW08, 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 6 dB from the bass, from 62 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB to the lower mids and presence range, from 500 Hz to 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the treble, from 8 to 16 kHz.
MW08 at a glance
True wireless earbuds with hybrid ANC and beryllium drivers, released in 2021. Official specifications from Master & Dynamic:
- Driver
- 11 mm beryllium
- ANC
- Hybrid
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Battery
- Up to 12 h + 42 h total with the case
Sources: Master & Dynamic: Introducing MW08.
Using the MW08 with a Mac
Codec: AAC, not aptX. The MW08 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 MW08 in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Master & Dynamic's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Master & Dynamic's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on DHRME's measurements of the MW08. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 6 dB from the bass, from 62 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB to the lower mids and presence range, from 500 Hz to 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the treble, from 8 to 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 MW08 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for MW08 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your MW08 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.1 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 156 Hz Gain -6.7 dB Q 0.61 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2458 Hz Gain 5.6 dB Q 1.43 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 653 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 0.56 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6993 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 2.30 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4740 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 5.38 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 594 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 3.04 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 735 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 4.51 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 336 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 3.56
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 156 Hz | −6.7 dB | 0.61 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.46 kHz | +5.6 dB | 1.43 |
| 4 | Bell | 653 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.56 |
| 5 | Bell | 6.99 kHz | −2.4 dB | 2.30 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.74 kHz | +1.3 dB | 5.38 |
| 8 | Bell | 594 Hz | −1.0 dB | 3.04 |
| 9 | Bell | 735 Hz | +1.1 dB | 4.51 |
| 10 | Bell | 336 Hz | +0.5 dB | 3.56 |
Preamp: −6.1 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 Master & Dynamic MW08 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The MW08 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 Master & Dynamic MW08?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on DHRME's measurements, cuts about 6 dB from 62 to 250 Hz, adds about 5 dB from 500 Hz to 4 kHz, cuts about 5 dB from 8 to 16 kHz, with a preamp of -6.1 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 Master & Dynamic MW08 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 Master & Dynamic MW08's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Master & Dynamic's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Master & Dynamic's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Master & Dynamic's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Master & Dynamic'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 MW08 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 DHRME. Specifications from Master & Dynamic's published specifications. Master & Dynamic MW08 is a trademark of Master & Dynamic; TuningMac is not affiliated with Master & Dynamic.