Soundcore P40i EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Soundcore P40i, 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 about 5 dB of sub-bass and 11 dB around 62 Hz.
- Boosts about 5 dB around 250 Hz and 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Slight cut of about 3 dB around 2–4 kHz.
- Cuts about 7 dB around 8 kHz and 11 dB around 16 kHz.
P40i at a glance
True wireless earbuds with ANC and sliding case, released in 2024. Official specifications from Soundcore:
- Driver
- 11 mm composite diaphragm
- ANC
- Adaptive, up to 98 % noise reduction
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 12 h (buds) + 48 h (case)
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- Weight
- 5.1 g per bud
Sources: Soundcore: P40i.
Using the P40i with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The P40i 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 P40i in stereo music mode.
ANC not controllable TuningMac cannot change noise-control modes on Soundcore earbuds. Use the Soundcore app on a phone or the touch controls on the earbuds.
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 P40i. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 5 dB of sub-bass and 11 dB around 62 Hz.
- Boosts about 5 dB around 250 Hz and 4 dB around 500 Hz.
- Slight cut of about 3 dB around 2–4 kHz.
- Cuts about 7 dB around 8 kHz and 11 dB around 16 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 P40i connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for P40i (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your P40i and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.71 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 64 Hz Gain -5.3 dB Q 0.62 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 262 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 0.98 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 872 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 2.18 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2065 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 3.12 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 3588 Hz Gain -2.8 dB Q 2.45 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5232 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 4.65 Filter 8: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7412 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.24 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 9200 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 2.88
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −5.0 dB | 0.71 |
| 2 | Bell | 64 Hz | −5.3 dB | 0.62 |
| 3 | Bell | 262 Hz | +5.3 dB | 0.98 |
| 4 | Bell | 872 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.18 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.06 kHz | −1.5 dB | 3.12 |
| 6 | Bell | 3.59 kHz | −2.8 dB | 2.45 |
| 7 | Bell | 5.23 kHz | +1.2 dB | 4.65 |
| 8 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 9 | Bell | 7.41 kHz | −2.0 dB | 3.24 |
| 10 | Bell | 9.2 kHz | −3.5 dB | 2.88 |
Preamp: −5.3 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 −5.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Soundcore P40i use on a Mac?+
AAC. The P40i 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 P40i?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts about 11 dB at 62 Hz, boosts about 5 dB around 250 Hz, cuts about 11 dB at 16 kHz, with a preamp of -5.3 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 P40i 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 P40i'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 P40i 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 P40i is a trademark of Soundcore; TuningMac is not affiliated with Soundcore.