Moondrop Chu EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Moondrop Chu, 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 2 dB around 69 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 8.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 3 dB of high shelf above 10 kHz.
Chu at a glance
Wired in-ear monitors with a single dynamic driver, known for exceptional value. Official specifications from Moondrop:
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- Impedance
- 28 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 120 dB/Vrms
- Frequency response
- 10 – 35,000 Hz
- Weight
- 4 g (per side)
Sources: Moondrop: Chu product page.
Using the Chu with a Mac
Wired, so no Bluetooth codec. The Chu connect with a cable, so nothing is compressed on the way: plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC.
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 Chu in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Moondrop's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Moondrop's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the Chu. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 2 dB around 69 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 8.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 3 dB of high shelf above 10 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 Chu connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Chu (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Chu and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -2.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 69 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 1.26 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 165 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 1.08 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 660 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 1.92 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 8728 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 2.40 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 942 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 2.78 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1470 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 1.68 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2772 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 3.46 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4153 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 3.72 Filter 10: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 69 Hz | +1.7 dB | 1.26 |
| 3 | Bell | 165 Hz | −1.2 dB | 1.08 |
| 4 | Bell | 660 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.92 |
| 5 | Bell | 8.73 kHz | +2.3 dB | 2.40 |
| 6 | Bell | 942 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.78 |
| 7 | Bell | 1.47 kHz | −1.1 dB | 1.68 |
| 8 | Bell | 2.77 kHz | −0.5 dB | 3.46 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.15 kHz | +0.6 dB | 3.72 |
| 10 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
Preamp: −2.3 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 −2.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Do the Moondrop Chu need a Bluetooth codec on a Mac?+
None: the Chu are wired. Plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC, and the sound reaches them without Bluetooth compression.
What are the best EQ settings for the Moondrop Chu?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 2 dB of sub-bass, adds about 2 dB around 8.7 kHz, cuts about 3 dB above 10 kHz, with a preamp of -2.3 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 Moondrop Chu 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 Moondrop Chu's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Moondrop's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Moondrop's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Moondrop's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Moondrop'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 Chu 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 oratory1990. Specifications from Moondrop's published specifications. Moondrop Chu is a trademark of Moondrop; TuningMac is not affiliated with Moondrop.