Audio-Technica ATH-M50x has 9 published AutoEQ corrections, from 7 measurement rigs across 3 variants of the model, and this page carries every one of them. Below is the curve, the exact parametric filters behind it, and a one-click preset for EQBase. macOS has no system-wide equalizer of its own, so applying a correction to everything your Mac plays, rather than inside a single player, needs an app that sits on the system audio path.
Each measurement below carries four things: the correction curve, its parametric filters, the same filters as copy-paste text in AutoEQ's format (which Equalizer APO and Peace, REW and most desktop parametric equalizers import, and which EQBase's own Expert EQ reads and writes), and EQBase's ten-band fit of that correction. The ten-band figures are what the downloadable preset applies, so what you hear matches what is written here. AutoEQ publishes its own ten-band file on the same grid, fitted to the raw measurement rather than to these filters, so the two agree closely through the midrange and can differ at the extremes.
Measured by oratory1990. Preamp −3.1 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -3.1 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.6 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 156 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 0.73
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 326 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 1.59
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 7077 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 2.22
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3483 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 5.82
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -4.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 45 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 1.90
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 66 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 3.59
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 787 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 1.79
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1640 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 3.41
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
−0.1 dB
62 Hz
+0.6 dB
125 Hz
−4.2 dB
250 Hz
+0.2 dB
500 Hz
+0.9 dB
1 kHz
−0.4 dB
2 kHz
+0.3 dB
4 kHz
+0.6 dB
8 kHz
+1.6 dB
16 kHz
−3.7 dB
Preamp
−3.1 dB
Measured by crinacle. Preamp −4.3 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -4.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 7.2 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 71 Hz Gain -5.7 dB Q 0.30
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 304 Hz Gain 4.7 dB Q 1.65
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 682 Hz Gain -1.9 dB Q 2.50
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7949 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 1.29
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3345 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 5.17
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4216 Hz Gain -2.8 dB Q 5.95
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 39 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 3.57
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1577 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 3.55
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
+2.6 dB
62 Hz
+0.7 dB
125 Hz
−2.6 dB
250 Hz
+1.1 dB
500 Hz
−0.5 dB
1 kHz
−0.4 dB
2 kHz
+0.6 dB
4 kHz
−1.3 dB
8 kHz
+1.6 dB
16 kHz
−3.1 dB
Preamp
−4.3 dB
Measured by Rtings. Preamp −6.2 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -6.2 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 11.6 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 75 Hz Gain -9.9 dB Q 0.26
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 288 Hz Gain 9.5 dB Q 1.05
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 61 Hz Gain 5.3 dB Q 3.40
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4227 Hz Gain -3.9 dB Q 6.00
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5993 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 4.69
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2117 Hz Gain -1.9 dB Q 2.80
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 716 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 3.12
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1007 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 4.46
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
+3.2 dB
62 Hz
+6.2 dB
125 Hz
−4.6 dB
250 Hz
+3.6 dB
500 Hz
+1.0 dB
1 kHz
−0.7 dB
2 kHz
−1.3 dB
4 kHz
−2.5 dB
8 kHz
+0.7 dB
16 kHz
−1.3 dB
Preamp
−6.2 dB
Measured by Innerfidelity. Preamp −5.9 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -5.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5805 Hz Gain 5.2 dB Q 3.70
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 172 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 1.57
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 7965 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 1.79
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 318 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 2.85
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1739 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 1.94
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 56 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 1.53
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 88 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 3.50
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 794 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 2.22
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
−0.8 dB
62 Hz
−1.4 dB
125 Hz
−1.5 dB
250 Hz
−0.3 dB
500 Hz
+0.2 dB
1 kHz
−0.6 dB
2 kHz
−1.2 dB
4 kHz
+0.5 dB
8 kHz
+3.0 dB
16 kHz
−1.5 dB
Preamp
−5.9 dB
Measured by Kuulokenurkka. Preamp −6.2 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -6.2 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 3.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 205 Hz Gain -12.2 dB Q 0.18
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 322 Hz Gain 20.0 dB Q 0.57
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 66 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 3.04
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 177 Hz Gain -5.5 dB Q 0.90
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7647 Hz Gain 3.4 dB Q 1.21
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4198 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 5.86
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2890 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 2.82
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 4961 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 5.99
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
−1.2 dB
62 Hz
+3.3 dB
125 Hz
−6.6 dB
250 Hz
+2.2 dB
500 Hz
+3.1 dB
1 kHz
−0.8 dB
2 kHz
−0.5 dB
4 kHz
−2.8 dB
8 kHz
+3.1 dB
16 kHz
−4.1 dB
Preamp
−6.2 dB
Measured by Auriculares Argentina. Preamp −4.9 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -4.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 149 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 1.23
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 349 Hz Gain 4.4 dB Q 1.51
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6201 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 2.42
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4296 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 4.03
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -11.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9752 Hz Gain 4.4 dB Q 1.16
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2246 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 2.74
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 41 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 2.06
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 59 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 4.76
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
+0.7 dB
62 Hz
+3.1 dB
125 Hz
−4.2 dB
250 Hz
+0.7 dB
500 Hz
+1.6 dB
1 kHz
+0.1 dB
2 kHz
−0.7 dB
4 kHz
−2.6 dB
8 kHz
+4.1 dB
16 kHz
−8.6 dB
Preamp
−4.9 dB
Measured by Headphone.com Legacy. Preamp −4.2 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -4.2 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 1.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 170 Hz Gain -6.9 dB Q 0.24
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 337 Hz Gain 9.4 dB Q 1.01
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 0.51
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 77 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 2.74
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5155 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 5.81
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4341 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 6.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1767 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 4.23
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 5987 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 6.00
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
−0.6 dB
62 Hz
+0.5 dB
125 Hz
−3.9 dB
250 Hz
+0.8 dB
500 Hz
+0.9 dB
1 kHz
−1.2 dB
2 kHz
−0.3 dB
4 kHz
+0.5 dB
8 kHz
+2.2 dB
16 kHz
−0.8 dB
Preamp
−4.2 dB
Measured by oratory1990. Preamp −5.1 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -5.1 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 2.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 129 Hz Gain -6.1 dB Q 0.20
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1611 Hz Gain 3.7 dB Q 0.75
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3541 Hz Gain 3.9 dB Q 4.98
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 342 Hz Gain 6.2 dB Q 2.33
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -6.9 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 1.46
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 122 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 1.79
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5097 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 195 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.45
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
−0.5 dB
62 Hz
−2.9 dB
125 Hz
−2.8 dB
250 Hz
−2.8 dB
500 Hz
−1.4 dB
1 kHz
+0.6 dB
2 kHz
+2.5 dB
4 kHz
+2.6 dB
8 kHz
−1.1 dB
16 kHz
−5.8 dB
Preamp
−5.1 dB
Measured by oratory1990. Preamp −6.0 dB. Correction data from the AutoEQ project.
Preamp: -6.0 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 14.3 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 297 Hz Gain 6.3 dB Q 1.41
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 44 Hz Gain -13.1 dB Q 0.42
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2661 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 5.69
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4370 Hz Gain -4.8 dB Q 6.00
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -10.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 954 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 2.10
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6475 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 6.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5346 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.89
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 88 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 4.25
AutoEQ also publishes a 127-point graphic curve, a fixed-band version, the raw measurement and the response graph for this measurement: see the source files.
Ten-band version
Band
Gain
31 Hz
+2.4 dB
62 Hz
+0.4 dB
125 Hz
−1.1 dB
250 Hz
+3.2 dB
500 Hz
+0.6 dB
1 kHz
+1.0 dB
2 kHz
+0.0 dB
4 kHz
−2.1 dB
8 kHz
−1.2 dB
16 kHz
−8.8 dB
Preamp
−6.0 dB
What this correction changes
The largest boost is +1.6 dB at treble (8 kHz), and the largest cut is −4.2 dB at upper bass (125 Hz). Total swing across the ten bands is 5.8 dB. Averaged over its bands the bass is pulled back by 1.2 dB, more than the other two, which is where most of the audible change lands.
The 9 published measurements on this page, from 7 rigs, do not agree with each other, and the size of the disagreement is worth knowing before picking one. They differ most at bass (62 Hz), where the ten-band figures span 9.0 dB, and least at midrange (1 kHz), where they span 2.1 dB. A spread that wide usually means the rigs disagree about the seal or the coupler rather than about the headphone, so prefer the measurement whose conditions match how you actually wear them.
Applying this on a Mac
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is worn around the ear, where the pads decide a good deal of what the measurement rig saw. Worn or replaced pads move the response, which is why several models here carry separate curves for exactly that. If yours are old, expect the correction to be a near miss rather than an exact one.
A correction also assumes the headphone is being driven properly. A high-impedance pair running straight out of a Mac at high volume can lose grip in the low end for reasons no equalizer fixes, so if the bass still sounds soft after applying this, the amplifier is the thing to change, not the curve.
In EQBase the fastest route skips this page entirely: open the Headphones pane, search for your model, and apply the correction. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is in the built-in catalog along with 8,665 other models. The preset above exists for people who want to see the numbers first, or who want a specific measurement rather than the default one.
Either way the correction applies to every app at once, and the free tier carries it with no time limit. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x preset above sets the ten-band curve, which is what the free tier applies, so nothing on this page is behind a purchase.
Common questions
Do these EQ settings work on any Mac app?
Yes, if the equalizer runs on system audio rather than inside one player. EQBase processes everything the Mac plays, so the same correction applies to Spotify, Safari, YouTube, games and calls. The Music app's own equalizer only affects Music.
Where do the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x numbers come from?
From 9 published AutoEQ measurements of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, made by oratory1990, crinacle, Rtings, Innerfidelity, Kuulokenurkka, Auriculares Argentina and Headphone.com Legacy. Each one is a real frequency-response measurement compared against a target curve, and each produces its own set of filters. They are all on this page rather than averaged together, because a measurement belongs to the person who made it. The 3 variants (dekoni sheepskin earpads, massdrop velours earpads, standard) are measured separately and corrected separately.
Why is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x preamp negative?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x correction needs −3.1 dB of headroom on its default measurement, so the preset pulls the signal down by that much before the boosts are applied. Boosting a signal that is already near full scale would clip it, and the negative preamp is what buys the room. Skip it and loud passages distort.
Can I use these filters in a different equalizer?
Yes. The filter table is a standard parametric list: type, frequency, gain and Q. Any parametric equalizer that accepts those four values per band will take them, on any platform. The one-click preset is only a shortcut for EQBase users.
Correction data from the AutoEQ project by Jaakko Pasanen, used under the MIT licence. The measurements themselves are the work of the people credited on each curve above. EQBase ships the same catalog in the app, with the same attribution.
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