Razer Barracuda EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Razer Barracuda, 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 4 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 400–700 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4.8 kHz.
- Adds about 5 dB above 10 kHz.
Barracuda at a glance
Wireless gaming headset with SmartSwitch dual wireless, released in 2022. Official specifications from Razer:
- Driver
- 50 mm Razer TriForce
- Bluetooth
- 5.2 (SmartSwitch dual wireless)
- Battery
- Up to 40 h
- Weight
- 300 g
Sources: Razer: Barracuda.
Using the Barracuda with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Barracuda 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 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 Barracuda in stereo music mode.
Dual wireless Connects via both 2.4 GHz USB dongle and Bluetooth. On a Mac the Bluetooth side uses AAC.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Barracuda. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 4 dB of sub-bass.
- Dips about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB around 400–700 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4.8 kHz.
- Adds 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 Barracuda connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Barracuda (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Barracuda and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.5 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 699 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 2.66 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 163 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 0.69 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 45 Hz Gain 3.9 dB Q 0.92 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 418 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 1.76 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 4.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9103 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 2.03 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4817 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 4.27 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1406 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 3.07 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1907 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.42
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 699 Hz | +2.7 dB | 2.66 |
| 3 | Bell | 163 Hz | −2.6 dB | 0.69 |
| 4 | Bell | 45 Hz | +3.9 dB | 0.92 |
| 5 | Bell | 418 Hz | +2.9 dB | 1.76 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +4.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9.1 kHz | −3.2 dB | 2.03 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.82 kHz | +4.5 dB | 4.27 |
| 9 | Bell | 1.41 kHz | −1.5 dB | 3.07 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.91 kHz | +1.9 dB | 5.42 |
Preamp: −4.5 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 −8.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Razer Barracuda use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Barracuda 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.
What are the best EQ settings for the Razer Barracuda?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds sub-bass, dips around 125 Hz, adds about 3 dB in the mids, brightens treble significantly, with a preamp of -4.5 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 Razer Barracuda 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 Razer's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Razer'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 Barracuda 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 Rtings. Specifications from Razer's published specifications. Razer Barracuda is a trademark of Razer; TuningMac is not affiliated with Razer.