Headphone EQ

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x EQ settings for Mac

Last updated: October 2, 2026

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. 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.

• Who it is for: anyone listening to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x on a Mac who wants its measured tonal balance pulled toward a neutral target.
• What a correction is: a set of equalizer filters that the open-source AutoEQ project computes by comparing a published measurement of the headphone with a target curve.
• What this page holds: for every measurement, the curve, its parametric filters, the same filters as copy-paste text, a ten-band version and a one-click EQBase preset.
• Which variant is yours: the 3 variants in the measurement picker are different versions of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, so pick the one that describes your own pair before choosing a measurement of it. Standard means the measurement was published without a revision or condition noted.
• What it cannot do: it changes frequency response only. It will not make up for worn pads or for distortion, and it was measured on someone else's pair, not yours.
• What you need: any parametric equalizer takes the filters, on any platform. The preset needs EQBase, free on macOS 14.4 or later.

Worth knowing: This page carries three different earpads, not three different headphones: the stock pads, Dekoni sheepskin and Massdrop velours, each measured by oratory1990. Pads change this model more than they change most, so pick the curve matching what is actually fitted to your pair. Across the seven stock-pad measurements the widest disagreement is about 8 dB at 62 Hz, which is clamp and seal talking rather than the driver.

What the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x correction changes

These figures come from the measurement by oratory1990, the one the picker below opens with. 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.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x corrections, measurement by measurement

Pick a measurement to see its 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 version, which is what the downloadable preset applies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ten-band or parametric EQ for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x?

A parametric equalizer lets every filter take any frequency, gain and width, where width is written as Q and a higher Q means a narrower filter, so it can reproduce AutoEQ's filters exactly. A ten-band graphic equalizer has ten fixed bands an octave apart, from 31 Hz to 16 kHz, all the same width, so it can only approximate them. EQBase's ten-band version sets those ten gains to match the parametric curve at the band centers, allowing for how the bands overlap, rather than reading the curve off at each center.

On oratory1990's measurement, the ten-band version stays within 3.0 dB of the parametric curve between 40 Hz and 10 kHz. Across all 8,666 corrections in EQBase's catalog the median for that range is 3.3 dB, which makes the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x a typical fit for ten bands. The largest of those gaps sits around 320 Hz, between the 250 Hz and 500 Hz bands, where the ten-band curve can only bridge from one center to the next.

Use the parametric filters if your equalizer accepts them: they are the correction exactly as published. The ten-band version is for equalizers with fixed sliders, EQBase's free tier among them, and it is what the downloadable preset applies. On EQBase Pro, applying the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x from the Headphones pane uses the parametric filters directly, and the preset carries them as well, one switch to Expert EQ away. 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.

How to use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x correction on a Mac

To use the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x correction on a Mac, apply it with an equalizer that runs on system audio, so it reaches every app at once. In EQBase the fastest route skips this page: open the Headphones pane, search for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, which is in the built-in catalog of 6,033 models, and click the measurement you want. The preset above does the same from a file, for anyone who wants to see the numbers first or a specific measurement rather than the default one.

Either way 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.

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.

Common questions about Audio-Technica ATH-M50x EQ

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.

Other headphones with published corrections

• Sennheiser HD 600 EQ settings for Mac, 13 published measurements
• Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro EQ settings for Mac, 11 published measurements
• HIFIMAN Sundara EQ settings for Mac, 11 published measurements
• Sennheiser HD 650 EQ settings for Mac, 11 published measurements
• Sennheiser HD 560S EQ settings for Mac, 8 published measurements

Credits

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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