Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset, 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 below 250 Hz by about 6 to 13 dB, most near 120 to 180 Hz.
- Adds about 3 to 5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.
- Adds about 3 to 4.5 dB from 3 to 4 kHz.
- Turns the top treble down by about 2 to 3 dB from 12 kHz up.
Xbox Wireless Headset at a glance
Wireless gaming headset that also pairs over Bluetooth. Official specifications from Microsoft:
- Driver
- 40 mm
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 20 h
- Weight
- 320 g
Sources: Xbox: Xbox Wireless Headset.
Using the Xbox Wireless Headset with a Mac
Codec: SBC. The Xbox Wireless Headset support SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec, and that's what a Mac uses with them.
Calls sound worse than music. As soon as an app uses the headphones' 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 Xbox Wireless Headset in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on kr0mka's measurements of the Xbox Wireless Headset. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts the bass below 250 Hz by about 6 to 13 dB, most near 120 to 180 Hz.
- Adds about 3 to 5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.
- Adds about 3 to 4.5 dB from 3 to 4 kHz.
- Turns the top treble down by about 2 to 3 dB from 12 kHz up.
Fit, ear pads 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 Xbox Wireless Headset connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Xbox Wireless Headset (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Xbox Wireless Headset and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -5.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 144 Hz Gain -13.2 dB Q 0.73 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 755 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 0.22 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 7808 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 2.62 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 202 Hz Gain -3.9 dB Q 1.44 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 57 Hz Gain -2.9 dB Q 2.85 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 84 Hz Gain 3.9 dB Q 4.99 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3278 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 4.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2427 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 5.50
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 144 Hz | −13.2 dB | 0.73 |
| 3 | Bell | 755 Hz | +6.0 dB | 0.22 |
| 4 | Bell | 7.81 kHz | +2.1 dB | 2.62 |
| 5 | Bell | 202 Hz | −3.9 dB | 1.44 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 57 Hz | −2.9 dB | 2.85 |
| 8 | Bell | 84 Hz | +3.9 dB | 4.99 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.28 kHz | +2.4 dB | 4.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.43 kHz | −3.6 dB | 5.50 |
Preamp: −5.4 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 −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset use on a Mac?+
SBC, the standard Bluetooth codec. It's the only one the Xbox Wireless Headset support.
What are the best EQ settings for the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on kr0mka's measurements, cuts the bass below 250 Hz by up to 13 dB, adds about 3 to 5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz and about 3 to 4.5 dB from 3 to 4 kHz, with a preamp of -5.4 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 Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the headphones' 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 headphones, 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 Xbox Wireless Headset 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 kr0mka. Specifications from Microsoft's published specifications. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset is a trademark of Microsoft; TuningMac is not affiliated with Microsoft.