Samsung Galaxy Buds FE EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, 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
- Slight sub-bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Dips about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
Galaxy Buds FE at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds, released in 2023. Official specifications from Samsung:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.2
- Bluetooth codecs
- AAC, SBC
Sources: Samsung: Galaxy Buds FE specifications.
Using the Galaxy Buds FE with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Galaxy Buds FE 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 Galaxy Buds FE in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Samsung's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Samsung'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 Galaxy Buds FE. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight sub-bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 125 Hz.
- Dips about 3 dB around 250 Hz.
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 Galaxy Buds FE connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Galaxy Buds FE (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Galaxy Buds FE and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.2 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 139 Hz Gain 4.6 dB Q 0.91 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 352 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 1.32 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6193 Hz Gain -5.1 dB Q 3.65 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1999 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 1.71 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4527 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 2.29 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 36 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 0.64 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 843 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 3.66 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2836 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 4.68
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 139 Hz | +4.6 dB | 0.91 |
| 3 | Bell | 352 Hz | −4.2 dB | 1.32 |
| 4 | Bell | 6.19 kHz | −5.1 dB | 3.65 |
| 5 | Bell | 2 kHz | +1.2 dB | 1.71 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 4.53 kHz | +1.9 dB | 2.29 |
| 8 | Bell | 36 Hz | −1.6 dB | 0.64 |
| 9 | Bell | 843 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.66 |
| 10 | Bell | 2.84 kHz | −0.8 dB | 4.68 |
Preamp: −4.2 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 −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Galaxy Buds FE 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds FE?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, slight sub-bass cut, adds about 3 dB around 125 Hz, dips about 3 dB around 250 Hz, with a preamp of -4.2 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds FE's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Samsung's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Samsung's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Samsung's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Samsung'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 Galaxy Buds FE 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 Samsung's published specifications. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is a trademark of Samsung; TuningMac is not affiliated with Samsung.