Philips SHP9500 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Philips SHP9500, 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 and about 4 dB around 62 Hz.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB around 2–4 kHz for presence.
- Cuts about 4 dB above 10 kHz.
SHP9500 at a glance
Open-back over-ear headphones with 50 mm drivers, known for comfort and value. Official specifications from Philips:
- Driver
- 50 mm neodymium
- Impedance
- 32 ohms
- Frequency response
- 12 – 35,000 Hz
- Weight
- 320 g (without cable)
Sources: Philips: SHP9500.
Using the SHP9500 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The SHP9500 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 SHP9500 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the SHP9500. 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 and about 4 dB around 62 Hz.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 4 dB around 2–4 kHz for presence.
- Cuts about 4 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 SHP9500 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for SHP9500 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your SHP9500 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 76 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 0.64 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1468 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 2.09 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5039 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 2.82 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3059 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 1.72 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7563 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 5.38 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 8701 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 3.32 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 228 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 0.63 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2237 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 5.02
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 76 Hz | −3.7 dB | 0.64 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.47 kHz | −2.1 dB | 2.09 |
| 4 | Bell | 5.04 kHz | +3.0 dB | 2.82 |
| 5 | Bell | 3.06 kHz | +4.5 dB | 1.72 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.56 kHz | −2.5 dB | 5.38 |
| 8 | Bell | 8.7 kHz | −1.1 dB | 3.32 |
| 9 | Bell | 228 Hz | −1.2 dB | 0.63 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.24 kHz | −0.5 dB | 5.02 |
Preamp: −6.4 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 −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 SHP9500 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The SHP9500 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 SHP9500?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, adds about 7 dB of sub-bass, adds about 4 dB around 2–4 kHz, cuts about 4 dB above 10 kHz, with a preamp of -6.4 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 Philips SHP9500 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 SHP9500 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 SHP9500 is a trademark of Philips; TuningMac is not affiliated with Philips.