Moondrop Variations EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Moondrop Variations, 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 3 dB of bass shelf.
- Adds about 3 dB around 6.4 kHz.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 3 kHz.
- Cuts about 2 dB of high shelf above 10 kHz.
Variations at a glance
Wired in-ear monitors with a 1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic tribrid driver configuration. Official specifications from Moondrop:
- Driver
- 1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic
- Impedance
- 30 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 118 dB/mW
- Frequency response
- 5 – 36,000 Hz
- Weight
- 14 g (pair)
Sources: Moondrop: Variations product page.
Using the Variations with a Mac
Wired, so no Bluetooth codec. The Variations 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 Variations 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 Variations. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 3 dB of bass shelf.
- Adds about 3 dB around 6.4 kHz.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 3 kHz.
- Cuts about 2 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 Variations connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Variations (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Variations and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -1.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 144 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 2.30 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 365 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 0.59 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3034 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 0.56 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6390 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 0.65 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 66 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.02 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1322 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.36 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2112 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 3.35 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3015 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 4.18 Filter 10: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 0.70
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 144 Hz | −1.6 dB | 2.30 |
| 3 | Bell | 365 Hz | +1.4 dB | 0.59 |
| 4 | Bell | 3.03 kHz | −2.4 dB | 0.56 |
| 5 | Bell | 6.39 kHz | +3.0 dB | 0.65 |
| 6 | Bell | 66 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.02 |
| 7 | Bell | 1.32 kHz | −0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| 8 | Bell | 2.11 kHz | +1.0 dB | 3.35 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.02 kHz | −0.8 dB | 4.18 |
| 10 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.2 dB | 0.70 |
Preamp: −1.7 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 Variations need a Bluetooth codec on a Mac?+
None: the Variations 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 Variations?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, cuts about 3 dB of bass, adds about 3 dB around 6.4 kHz, cuts about 2 dB above 10 kHz, with a preamp of -1.7 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 Variations 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 Variations'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 Variations 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 Variations is a trademark of Moondrop; TuningMac is not affiliated with Moondrop.