Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 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
- Cuts sub-bass by about 5 dB.
- Adds about 4 dB around 250 Hz.
- Relatively flat mid-range and treble.
Galaxy Buds Pro at a glance
Wireless noise-cancelling earbuds with 360 Audio, released in 2021. Official specifications from Samsung:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Bluetooth codecs
- AAC, SBC
Sources: Samsung: Galaxy Buds Pro specifications.
Using the Galaxy Buds Pro with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Galaxy Buds 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 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 Pro 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 Pro. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts sub-bass by about 5 dB.
- Adds about 4 dB around 250 Hz.
- Relatively flat mid-range and treble.
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 Pro connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Galaxy Buds Pro (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Galaxy Buds Pro and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -4.4 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 235 Hz Gain 4.7 dB Q 0.74 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4969 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 2.36 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6627 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 5.11 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 100 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 1.43 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1682 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 1.39 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2695 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 2.36 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 859 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 2.89 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 7804 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 3.82
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 235 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.74 |
| 3 | Bell | 4.97 kHz | −5.5 dB | 2.36 |
| 4 | Bell | 6.63 kHz | +4.5 dB | 5.11 |
| 5 | Bell | 100 Hz | −2.1 dB | 1.43 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 1.68 kHz | −1.2 dB | 1.39 |
| 8 | Bell | 2.69 kHz | +1.1 dB | 2.36 |
| 9 | Bell | 859 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.89 |
| 10 | Bell | 7.8 kHz | −1.3 dB | 3.82 |
Preamp: −4.4 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 Pro use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Galaxy Buds 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts sub-bass by about 5 dB, adds about 4 dB around 250 Hz, relatively flat treble, with a preamp of -4.4 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 Pro 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 Pro'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 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 Samsung's published specifications. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro is a trademark of Samsung; TuningMac is not affiliated with Samsung.