Soundcore C30i EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Soundcore C30i, 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
- Boosts about 6 dB of sub-bass and 4 dB in the low mids.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 500–1000 Hz.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 4 kHz to reduce upper-mid harshness.
- Large boost of about 9 dB above 10 kHz to compensate for open-ear treble roll-off.
C30i at a glance
Open-ear clip-on wireless earbuds with secure fit, released in 2024. Official specifications from Soundcore:
- Driver
- 12 × 17 mm dynamic
- ANC
- None (open-ear design)
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 8 h (buds) + 28 h (case)
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- Weight
- 6.5 g per bud
Sources: Soundcore: C30i.
Using the C30i with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The C30i support SBC and AAC, 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 C30i in stereo music mode.
Open-ear design The C30i is an open-ear design that does not seal the ear canal. Ambient sound passes through naturally; there is no ANC or transparency mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Soundcore's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Soundcore'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 C30i. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Boosts about 6 dB of sub-bass and 4 dB in the low mids.
- Cuts about 2 dB around 500–1000 Hz.
- Cuts about 6 dB around 4 kHz to reduce upper-mid harshness.
- Large boost of about 9 dB above 10 kHz to compensate for open-ear treble roll-off.
How they sit in your ears 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 C30i connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for C30i (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your C30i and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -8.6 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.71 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 180 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 0.85 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 620 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 1.56 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1458 Hz Gain -1.8 dB Q 2.12 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2892 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 2.78 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 4200 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 3.14 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5840 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 4.22 Filter 8: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 8.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7980 Hz Gain 3.2 dB Q 3.56 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 350 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 1.32
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.71 |
| 2 | Bell | 180 Hz | +3.5 dB | 0.85 |
| 3 | Bell | 620 Hz | −2.2 dB | 1.56 |
| 4 | Bell | 1.46 kHz | −1.8 dB | 2.12 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.89 kHz | −3.5 dB | 2.78 |
| 6 | Bell | 4.2 kHz | −5.6 dB | 3.14 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.84 kHz | −2.0 dB | 4.22 |
| 8 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +8.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 9 | Bell | 7.98 kHz | +3.2 dB | 3.56 |
| 10 | Bell | 350 Hz | +2.0 dB | 1.32 |
Preamp: −8.6 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 −12.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Soundcore C30i use on a Mac?+
AAC. The C30i support SBC and AAC, 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 Soundcore C30i?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, boosts about 6 dB of sub-bass, cuts about 6 dB around 4 kHz, boosts about 9 dB above 10 kHz, with a preamp of -8.6 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 Soundcore C30i 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 Soundcore C30i's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Soundcore's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Soundcore's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Soundcore's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Soundcore'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 C30i 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 Soundcore's published specifications. Soundcore C30i is a trademark of Soundcore; TuningMac is not affiliated with Soundcore.