QCY MeloBuds Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the QCY MeloBuds Pro, 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
- Lowers 50 to 120 Hz by about 2 to 2.5 dB and adds about 1.5 dB near 250 Hz.
- Leaves the mids close to flat.
- Adds about 2 to 6.5 dB of treble from 7 kHz up.
MeloBuds Pro at a glance
True wireless earbuds with adaptive hybrid ANC and LDAC. Official specifications from QCY:
- Driver
- 12 mm dynamic
- Noise cancelling
- Adaptive hybrid, up to 46 dB
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 8.5 h (ANC off), 7.5 h (ANC on); 34 h with the case
Sources: QCY: MeloBuds Pro.
Using the MeloBuds Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC or SBC. QCY lists LDAC for the MeloBuds Pro, which a Mac can't use, and doesn't say whether they support AAC. A Mac uses AAC when headphones offer it and SBC otherwise, and TuningMac's Device Info shows which one is in use.
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 MeloBuds Pro in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch QCY's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or QCY's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on DHRME's measurements of the MeloBuds Pro. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Lowers 50 to 120 Hz by about 2 to 2.5 dB and adds about 1.5 dB near 250 Hz.
- Leaves the mids close to flat.
- Adds about 2 to 6.5 dB of treble from 7 kHz up.
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 MeloBuds Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for MeloBuds Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your MeloBuds Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.5 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 15.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 45 Hz Gain -17.2 dB Q 0.31 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 223 Hz Gain 6.7 dB Q 1.28 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 543 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 1.95 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 828 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 1.15 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 6.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9004 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 2.34 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5309 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 5.20 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3051 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 3.29 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2057 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 2.86
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +15.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 45 Hz | −17.2 dB | 0.31 |
| 3 | Bell | 223 Hz | +6.7 dB | 1.28 |
| 4 | Bell | 543 Hz | −2.3 dB | 1.95 |
| 5 | Bell | 828 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.15 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9 kHz | +3.7 dB | 2.34 |
| 8 | Bell | 5.31 kHz | −2.2 dB | 5.20 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.05 kHz | −1.6 dB | 3.29 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.06 kHz | +1.2 dB | 2.86 |
Preamp: −6.5 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 −12.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the QCY MeloBuds Pro use on a Mac?+
QCY lists LDAC for the MeloBuds Pro, which a Mac can't use, and doesn't say whether they support AAC. A Mac uses AAC when headphones offer it and SBC otherwise, and TuningMac's Device Info shows which one is in use.
What are the best EQ settings for the QCY MeloBuds Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on DHRME's measurements, lowers 50 to 120 Hz by up to 2.5 dB and adds up to 6.5 dB of treble from 7 kHz up, with a preamp of -6.5 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 QCY MeloBuds Pro 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 QCY MeloBuds Pro's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch QCY's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or QCY's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in QCY's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in QCY'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 MeloBuds Pro 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 DHRME. Specifications from QCY's published specifications. QCY MeloBuds Pro is a trademark of QCY; TuningMac is not affiliated with QCY.