QCY T13 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the QCY T13, 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 30 to 250 Hz by about 2 to 7 dB, most near 50 to 80 Hz.
- Leaves the mids close to flat.
- Adds about 3 to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz, most near 4.5 kHz.
- Lowers 8 to 10 kHz by about 1 to 3 dB.
T13 at a glance
Budget true wireless earbuds. Official specifications from QCY:
- Driver
- 7.2 mm dynamic
- Call noise reduction
- ENC (calls only)
- Bluetooth
- 5.1
- Battery
- Up to 8 h; 40 h with the case
- Water resistance
- IPX5
Sources: QCY: T13.
Using the T13 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The T13 support AAC and SBC, 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 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 T13 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Regan Cipher's measurements of the T13. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Lowers 30 to 250 Hz by about 2 to 7 dB, most near 50 to 80 Hz.
- Leaves the mids close to flat.
- Adds about 3 to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz, most near 4.5 kHz.
- Lowers 8 to 10 kHz by about 1 to 3 dB.
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 T13 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for T13 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your T13 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 6135 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 1.92 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 8749 Hz Gain -4.7 dB Q 1.73 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4215 Hz Gain 5.1 dB Q 3.04 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -9.6 dB Q 0.40 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 685 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 0.93 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 255 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 1.04 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 152 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 3.46 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2679 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 4.57
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 6.13 kHz | +7.0 dB | 1.92 |
| 3 | Bell | 8.75 kHz | −4.7 dB | 1.73 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.21 kHz | +5.1 dB | 3.04 |
| 5 | Bell | 54 Hz | −9.6 dB | 0.40 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 685 Hz | +2.1 dB | 0.93 |
| 8 | Bell | 255 Hz | −2.1 dB | 1.04 |
| 9 | Bell | 152 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.46 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.68 kHz | −1.2 dB | 4.57 |
Preamp: −6.7 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 −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the QCY T13 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The T13 support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the QCY T13?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Regan Cipher's measurements, lowers 30 to 250 Hz by up to 7 dB, adds up to 6.5 dB from 3.5 to 6 kHz and lowers 8 to 10 kHz by up to 3 dB, with a preamp of -6.7 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 QCY T13 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.
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 T13 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 Regan Cipher. Specifications from QCY's published specifications. QCY T13 is a trademark of QCY; TuningMac is not affiliated with QCY.