Technics EAH-AZ80 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Technics EAH-AZ80, 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 4 dB from the bass, from 31 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB to the mids, from 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 4 dB to the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the treble, around 8 kHz.
EAH-AZ80 at a glance
True wireless earbuds with noise cancelling and LDAC. Official specifications from Technics:
- Driver
- 10 mm
- Noise cancelling
- Yes
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Battery
- Up to 7 h (NC on) + 24 h total with the case
- Water resistance
- IPX4 (earbuds)
- Weight
- About 7 g per earbud
Using the EAH-AZ80 with a Mac
Codec: AAC, not LDAC. The EAH-AZ80 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 hi-res figures only apply 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 EAH-AZ80 in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Technics' noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Technics' 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 EAH-AZ80. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts about 4 dB from the bass, from 31 to 250 Hz.
- Adds about 3 dB to the mids, from 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 4 dB to the presence range, around 4 kHz.
- Cuts about 5 dB from the treble, around 8 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 EAH-AZ80 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for EAH-AZ80 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your EAH-AZ80 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.7 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 296 Hz Gain -4.2 dB Q 0.51 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 6430 Hz Gain -5.9 dB Q 0.85 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4001 Hz Gain 6.5 dB Q 1.02 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 586 Hz Gain 5.6 dB Q 0.97 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 0.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 34 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 1.81 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 71 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.32 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7285 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 5.99 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 6327 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 296 Hz | −4.2 dB | 0.51 |
| 3 | Bell | 6.43 kHz | −5.9 dB | 0.85 |
| 4 | Bell | 4 kHz | +6.5 dB | 1.02 |
| 5 | Bell | 586 Hz | +5.6 dB | 0.97 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | 0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 34 Hz | −0.3 dB | 1.81 |
| 8 | Bell | 71 Hz | +0.3 dB | 2.32 |
| 9 | Bell | 7.29 kHz | +1.0 dB | 5.99 |
| 10 | Bell | 6.33 kHz | −1.0 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −3.7 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
Does the Technics EAH-AZ80 use LDAC on a Mac?+
No. The EAH-AZ80 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.
What are the best EQ settings for the Technics EAH-AZ80?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts about 4 dB from 31 to 250 Hz, adds about 4 dB around 4 kHz, cuts about 5 dB around 8 kHz, with a preamp of -3.7 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 Technics EAH-AZ80 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 Technics EAH-AZ80's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Technics' noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Technics' app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Technics' app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Technics' 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 EAH-AZ80 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 Technics's published specifications. Technics EAH-AZ80 is a trademark of Technics; TuningMac is not affiliated with Technics.