Philips Fidelio X3 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Philips Fidelio X3, 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 7 dB of sub-bass.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 125 Hz and about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 2–4 kHz for detail and presence.
- Cuts about 5 dB above 10 kHz.
Fidelio X3 at a glance
Open-back over-ear audiophile headphones with 50 mm LMC drivers, successor to the X2. Official specifications from Philips:
- Driver
- 50 mm LMC (layered motion control)
- Impedance
- 30 ohms
- Frequency response
- 5 – 40,000 Hz
- Weight
- 430 g (without cable)
Sources: Philips: Fidelio X3.
Using the Fidelio X3 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Fidelio X3 support , and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It 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 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 Fidelio X3 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the Fidelio X3. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 7 dB of sub-bass.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 125 Hz and about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 2–4 kHz for detail and presence.
- Cuts about 5 dB above 10 kHz.
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 Fidelio X3 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Fidelio X3 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Fidelio X3 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 67 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 0.54 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1411 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 2.96 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5170 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 5.20 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3182 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 1.97 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7534 Hz Gain -2.9 dB Q 5.95 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 227 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 0.36 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8747 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 6.00 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1930 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 5.98
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 67 Hz | −4.3 dB | 0.54 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.41 kHz | −3.5 dB | 2.96 |
| 4 | Bell | 5.17 kHz | +3.2 dB | 5.20 |
| 5 | Bell | 3.18 kHz | +5.3 dB | 1.97 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.53 kHz | −2.9 dB | 5.95 |
| 8 | Bell | 227 Hz | +0.2 dB | 0.36 |
| 9 | Bell | 8.75 kHz | +2.1 dB | 6.00 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.93 kHz | +1.5 dB | 5.98 |
Preamp: −6.9 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 Philips Fidelio X3 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Fidelio X3 support , and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the Philips Fidelio X3?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 7 dB of sub-bass, cuts about 3 dB around 250 Hz, adds about 6 dB around 2–4 kHz, cuts about 5 dB of treble, with a preamp of -6.9 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 Philips Fidelio X3 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 Philips's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Philips'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 Fidelio X3 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 Philips's published specifications. Philips Fidelio X3 is a trademark of Philips; TuningMac is not affiliated with Philips.