Razer Barracuda Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Razer Barracuda 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
- Adds about 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Dips about 4 dB around 1.5 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz.
- Dips about 5 dB around 6–8 kHz.
Barracuda Pro at a glance
Wireless gaming headset with hybrid ANC and THX AAA amplifier, released in 2022. Official specifications from Razer:
- Driver
- 50 mm Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose
- ANC
- Hybrid active noise cancelling
- Bluetooth
- 5.3 (SmartSwitch dual wireless)
- Battery
- Up to 40 h
- Weight
- 340 g
Sources: Razer: Barracuda Pro.
Using the Barracuda Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Barracuda Pro 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 Pro in stereo music mode.
Multipoint. SmartSwitch: seamlessly switch between 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth; on a Mac, AAC is used over Bluetooth.
Dual wireless The Barracuda Pro can connect via both the 2.4 GHz USB dongle and Bluetooth simultaneously, but the 2.4 GHz connection is not standard Bluetooth and uses a proprietary codec.
ANC not controllable TuningMac cannot change noise-control modes on Razer headsets. Use the buttons on the headset or Razer's Synapse software.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Razer's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Razer's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Barracuda Pro. 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 around 500 Hz.
- Dips about 4 dB around 1.5 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz.
- Dips about 5 dB around 6–8 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 Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Barracuda Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Barracuda Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 526 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 0.64 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1565 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 0.93 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3974 Hz Gain 6.5 dB Q 2.03 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6512 Hz Gain -5.4 dB Q 1.16 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 143 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 1.63 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 82 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 2.73 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 28 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 2.55 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 295 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 2.43
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 526 Hz | +3.5 dB | 0.64 |
| 3 | Bell | 1.56 kHz | −4.0 dB | 0.93 |
| 4 | Bell | 3.97 kHz | +6.5 dB | 2.03 |
| 5 | Bell | 6.51 kHz | −5.4 dB | 1.16 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 143 Hz | −0.9 dB | 1.63 |
| 8 | Bell | 82 Hz | +1.4 dB | 2.73 |
| 9 | Bell | 28 Hz | −0.9 dB | 2.55 |
| 10 | Bell | 295 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.43 |
Preamp: −3.9 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 −4.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Razer Barracuda Pro use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Barracuda Pro 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 Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 4 dB in the mids, dips around 1.5 kHz, adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz, cuts treble above 6 kHz, with a preamp of -3.9 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 Razer Barracuda Pro 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.
Can I control the Razer Barracuda Pro's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Razer's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Razer's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
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 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 Rtings. Specifications from Razer's published specifications. Razer Barracuda Pro is a trademark of Razer; TuningMac is not affiliated with Razer.