Shure KSE1500 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Shure KSE1500, 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 16 dB around 3.5 kHz.
- Cuts about 17 dB around 1.9 kHz.
- Cuts about 14 dB around 8.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 6 dB of high shelf above 10 kHz.
KSE1500 at a glance
Electrostatic IEM with dedicated amplifier. Official specifications from Shure:
- Driver
- Electrostatic
- Amplifier
- Requires KSA1500
- Connector
- MMCX
Sources: Shure: KSE1500 product page.
Using the KSE1500 with a Mac
Wired, so no Bluetooth codec. The KSE1500 connect with a cable, so nothing is compressed on the way: plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC.
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 KSE1500 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on oratory1990's measurements of the KSE1500. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 16 dB around 3.5 kHz.
- Cuts about 17 dB around 1.9 kHz.
- Cuts about 14 dB around 8.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 6 dB of high shelf above 10 kHz.
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 KSE1500 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for KSE1500 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your KSE1500 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.1 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 3452 Hz Gain 15.7 dB Q 0.27 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 8710 Hz Gain -13.6 dB Q 1.31 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 170 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.68 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1869 Hz Gain -16.5 dB Q 0.71 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9052 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 4.96 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6070 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 4.06 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4262 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 4.01 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 3254 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 4.39
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 3.45 kHz | +15.7 dB | 0.27 |
| 3 | Bell | 8.71 kHz | −13.6 dB | 1.31 |
| 4 | Bell | 170 Hz | −3.0 dB | 0.68 |
| 5 | Bell | 1.87 kHz | −16.5 dB | 0.71 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9.05 kHz | +2.9 dB | 4.96 |
| 8 | Bell | 6.07 kHz | +1.4 dB | 4.06 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.26 kHz | −0.8 dB | 4.01 |
| 10 | Bell | 3.25 kHz | +0.7 dB | 4.39 |
Preamp: −6.1 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
Do the Shure KSE1500 need a Bluetooth codec on a Mac?+
None: the KSE1500 are wired. Plug them into the Mac's headphone jack, or a USB-C adapter or DAC, and the sound reaches them without Bluetooth compression.
What are the best EQ settings for the Shure KSE1500?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on oratory1990's measurements, large corrections around 2–4 kHz and 8.7 kHz; best imported as parametric EQ, with a preamp of -6.1 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 Shure KSE1500 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.
Should I turn off the EQ in Shure's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Shure'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 KSE1500 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 oratory1990. Specifications from Shure's published specifications. Shure KSE1500 is a trademark of Shure; TuningMac is not affiliated with Shure.