Microsoft Surface Earbuds EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Microsoft Surface Earbuds, 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 4.5 to 6 dB of bass below 80 Hz.
- Lowers 180 to 500 Hz by about 2 to 3 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB near 1 kHz and about 5 to 6 dB from 2.5 to 3 kHz.
- Dips about 2.5 dB near 5 kHz and leaves the treble above 7 kHz close to flat.
Surface Earbuds at a glance
True wireless earbuds with touch gestures. Official specifications from Microsoft:
- Driver
- 13.6 mm
- Bluetooth
- 4.1, 4.2 and 5.0
- Battery
- Up to 24 h with the case
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- Weight
- 7.2 g per earbud with ear tip
Sources: Microsoft Store: Surface Earbuds.
Using the Surface Earbuds with a Mac
Codec: SBC, not aptX. The Surface Earbuds support SBC and aptX. macOS doesn't support aptX, and the earbuds don't offer AAC, so on a Mac they play over SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec every pair supports.
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 Surface Earbuds in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Surface Earbuds. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 4.5 to 6 dB of bass below 80 Hz.
- Lowers 180 to 500 Hz by about 2 to 3 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB near 1 kHz and about 5 to 6 dB from 2.5 to 3 kHz.
- Dips about 2.5 dB near 5 kHz and leaves the treble above 7 kHz close to flat.
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 Surface Earbuds connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Surface Earbuds (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Surface Earbuds and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.6 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 834 Hz Gain -3.9 dB Q 0.18 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2674 Hz Gain 9.4 dB Q 1.67 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 66 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 2.07 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 928 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 2.10 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4862 Hz Gain -3.3 dB Q 6.00 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6023 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 6.00 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 434 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.98 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 226 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.72
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 834 Hz | −3.9 dB | 0.18 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.67 kHz | +9.4 dB | 1.67 |
| 4 | Bell | 66 Hz | +1.6 dB | 2.07 |
| 5 | Bell | 928 Hz | +6.6 dB | 2.10 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.86 kHz | −3.3 dB | 6.00 |
| 8 | Bell | 6.02 kHz | +3.0 dB | 6.00 |
| 9 | Bell | 434 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.98 |
| 10 | Bell | 226 Hz | −1.0 dB | 2.72 |
Preamp: −6.6 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 −7.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Microsoft Surface Earbuds use on a Mac?+
SBC. The Surface Earbuds support SBC and aptX, but macOS doesn't support aptX and they don't offer AAC, so a Mac uses SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec.
What are the best EQ settings for the Microsoft Surface Earbuds?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds up to 6 dB of bass below 80 Hz, lowers 180 to 500 Hz by up to 3 dB and adds about 5 to 6 dB from 2.5 to 3 kHz, with a preamp of -6.6 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 Microsoft Surface Earbuds 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 Microsoft's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Microsoft'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 Surface Earbuds 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 Microsoft's published specifications. Microsoft Surface Earbuds is a trademark of Microsoft; TuningMac is not affiliated with Microsoft.