Soundcore Space A40 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Soundcore Space A40, 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 cuts of about 2 dB in the bass and low mids.
- Adds about 3 dB around 2 kHz and 6 dB around 4 kHz for detail.
- Large boost of about 7 dB around 7 kHz to open up the treble.
- Cuts about 3 dB around 9 kHz to prevent harshness.
Space A40 at a glance
Compact true wireless earbuds with ANC and LDAC, released in 2022. Official specifications from Soundcore:
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- ANC
- Adaptive, with transparency mode
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- Battery
- Up to 10 h (buds) + 40 h (case)
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- Weight
- 4.9 g per bud
Sources: Soundcore: Space A40.
Using the Space A40 with a Mac
Codec: AAC, not LDAC. The Space A40 support SBC, AAC and LDAC, but macOS doesn't support LDAC. On a Mac they play over AAC, which carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz). The 40 kHz hi-res figure only applies to LDAC, which Macs don't support.
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 Space A40 in stereo music mode.
AAC on Mac The Space A40 supports LDAC for Android. macOS doesn't support LDAC, so on a Mac the earbuds connect over AAC.
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 Space A40. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight cuts of about 2 dB in the bass and low mids.
- Adds about 3 dB around 2 kHz and 6 dB around 4 kHz for detail.
- Large boost of about 7 dB around 7 kHz to open up the treble.
- Cuts about 3 dB around 9 kHz to prevent harshness.
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 Space A40 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Space A40 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Space A40 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 0.71 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 197 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 0.74 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 782 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 1.41 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2143 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 1.29 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4045 Hz Gain 5.7 dB Q 1.78 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 5775 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 4.32 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7000 Hz Gain 6.9 dB Q 2.96 Filter 8: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 4.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8965 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 3.76 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1290 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 2.30
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −1.6 dB | 0.71 |
| 2 | Bell | 197 Hz | −2.2 dB | 0.74 |
| 3 | Bell | 782 Hz | −0.6 dB | 1.41 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.14 kHz | +3.3 dB | 1.29 |
| 5 | Bell | 4.04 kHz | +5.7 dB | 1.78 |
| 6 | Bell | 5.78 kHz | −2.2 dB | 4.32 |
| 7 | Bell | 7 kHz | +6.9 dB | 2.96 |
| 8 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 9 | Bell | 8.96 kHz | −3.0 dB | 3.76 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.29 kHz | +1.2 dB | 2.30 |
Preamp: −6.9 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
Does the Soundcore Space A40 use LDAC on a Mac?+
No. The Space A40 support SBC, AAC and LDAC, but macOS doesn't support LDAC, so on a Mac they play over AAC. That carries 20 Hz to 20 kHz audio at standard sample rates; Sony's hi-res LDAC mode is for Android phones and other devices that support it.
What are the best EQ settings for the Soundcore Space A40?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, slight cuts in bass, adds about 6 dB around 4 kHz, boosts about 7 dB around 7 kHz for clarity, with a preamp of -6.9 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 Space A40 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 Space A40'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 Space A40 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 Space A40 is a trademark of Soundcore; TuningMac is not affiliated with Soundcore.