Samsung Galaxy Buds Live EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, 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 dip of about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 2 kHz.
- Cuts treble above 8 kHz by about 3 dB.
Galaxy Buds Live at a glance
Bean-shaped wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, released in 2020. Official specifications from Samsung:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Bluetooth codecs
- AAC, SBC
Sources: Samsung: Galaxy Buds Live specifications.
Using the Galaxy Buds Live with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Galaxy Buds Live 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 Live 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 Live. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight dip of about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 2 kHz.
- Cuts treble above 8 kHz by about 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 Galaxy Buds Live connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Galaxy Buds Live (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Galaxy Buds Live and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -2.5 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 194 Hz Gain -4.1 dB Q 1.41 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2312 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 0.74 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 491 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 1.07 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7068 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 2.34 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5139 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 5.84 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4133 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 3.86 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 103 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.70 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1251 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 3.29
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 194 Hz | −4.1 dB | 1.41 |
| 3 | Bell | 2.31 kHz | +3.1 dB | 0.74 |
| 4 | Bell | 491 Hz | +2.9 dB | 1.07 |
| 5 | Bell | 7.07 kHz | −3.5 dB | 2.34 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.14 kHz | −2.1 dB | 5.84 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.13 kHz | +1.2 dB | 3.86 |
| 9 | Bell | 103 Hz | −0.5 dB | 2.70 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.25 kHz | −0.3 dB | 3.29 |
Preamp: −2.5 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 −2.0 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 Live use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Galaxy Buds Live 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 Live?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, slight dip around 250 Hz, adds about 2 dB in the mids, cuts upper treble by about 3 dB, with a preamp of -2.5 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds Live 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 Live'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 Live 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 Live is a trademark of Samsung; TuningMac is not affiliated with Samsung.