Headphone EQ

Sennheiser HD 650 EQ settings for Mac

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Sennheiser HD 650 has 11 published AutoEQ corrections, from 7 measurement rigs across 5 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.

Worth knowing: The HD 650 and Drop's HD 6XX measure very closely, but they are corrected separately here because the published measurements are of different units, and averaging someone else's data across two products would be inventing a measurement nobody made. On this model the earpad and revision variants below matter more than the badge does: worn pads move the treble further than the difference between the two names.

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.

Preamp: -6.1 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 8800 Hz Gain 5.1 dB Q 1.42
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 118 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.50
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 37 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 3.96
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 3169 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 3.89
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1227 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 2.53
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2055 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 3.23
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 587 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 1.19
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 5332 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 5.75

Preamp: -6.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.3 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 9592 Hz Gain 5.4 dB Q 0.93
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 152 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 0.77
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3259 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 2.74
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1290 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 2.09
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 474 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 1.23
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 259 Hz Gain -0.3 dB Q 2.24
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5163 Hz Gain -0.9 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 6016 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 5.99

Preamp: -6.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 0.52
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 154 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 0.51
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2852 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 3.34
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 390 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 1.44
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1391 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 2.31
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4288 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 5.56
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5404 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 5.16
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 47 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 3.87

Preamp: -6.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 126 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.46
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 5779 Hz Gain 4.7 dB Q 0.46
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3496 Hz Gain -7.2 dB Q 2.45
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 9517 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.03
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1259 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 3.26
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2127 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 3.43
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 164 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 2.34
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 214 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 2.60

Preamp: -6.4 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 7.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 9750 Hz Gain 5.7 dB Q 1.23
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 100 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 0.42
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2984 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 4.45
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 42 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 3.56
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4222 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 6.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 1511 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 4.89
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1105 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 3.87
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2034 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 4.09

Preamp: -6.4 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 7.1 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 105 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 0.39
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 8116 Hz Gain 4.4 dB Q 2.41
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1994 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 3.11
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1255 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 1.94
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -10.3 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3132 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 4.81
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4034 Hz Gain 1.1 dB Q 5.08
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 4.8 dB Q 1.26
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 5928 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 6.00

Preamp: -6.2 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 90 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 0.74
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 9287 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 1.79
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1800 Hz Gain 2.4 dB Q 2.53
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 206 Hz Gain -1.7 dB Q 1.75
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3241 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 3.86
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 683 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 2.27
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 2349 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 4.39
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 5127 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 6.00

Preamp: -6.6 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 8.0 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 8869 Hz Gain 5.7 dB Q 1.71
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 78 Hz Gain -4.8 dB Q 0.43
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3030 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 3.32
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2094 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 3.33
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 1100 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 2.55
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5563 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 6.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 6510 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 5.99
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 772 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 4.19

Preamp: -6.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.8 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 9243 Hz Gain 5.8 dB Q 0.21
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 122 Hz Gain -3.6 dB Q 0.45
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2969 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 2.34
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1321 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 0.99
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5093 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 6.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6455 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 6.00
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 84 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 3.62
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 137 Hz Gain 0.3 dB Q 2.52

Preamp: -6.3 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.5 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 138 Hz Gain -3.4 dB Q 0.53
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 9403 Hz Gain 4.3 dB Q 1.77
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 6641 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 4.27
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1919 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 2.87
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 3287 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 4.04
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4290 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 5.96
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4914 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 2521 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 3.87

Preamp: -6.4 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 10000 Hz Gain 5.9 dB Q 0.37
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 131 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 0.55
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2882 Hz Gain -3.7 dB Q 2.16
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1301 Hz Gain -2.2 dB Q 1.42
Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 0.70
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 49 Hz Gain 0.5 dB Q 2.53
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 3.21
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 5292 Hz Gain 1.4 dB Q 6.00
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 6429 Hz Gain -1.1 dB Q 6.00

What this correction changes

The largest boost is +5.4 dB at sub-bass (31 Hz), and the largest cut is −1.5 dB at lower midrange (250 Hz). Total swing across the ten bands is 6.8 dB. Averaged over its bands the bass is lifted by 2.3 dB, more than the other two, which is where most of the audible change lands.

The 11 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 top octave (16 kHz), where the ten-band figures span 10.2 dB, and least at sub-bass (31 Hz), where they span 0.5 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 Sennheiser HD 650 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 Sennheiser HD 650 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 Sennheiser HD 650 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 Sennheiser HD 650 numbers come from?

From 11 published AutoEQ measurements of the Sennheiser HD 650, 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 5 variants (2020 revision, 2020 revision, worn earpads, pre-2020, semi-worn earpads, pre-2020, worn earpads, standard) are measured separately and corrected separately.

Why is the Sennheiser HD 650 preamp negative?

The Sennheiser HD 650 correction needs −6.1 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. That is a large figure by the standards of this catalog, which is normal for a model whose correction lifts the bass a long way.

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
• Sennheiser HD 560S EQ settings for Mac, 8 published measurements
• Sennheiser HD 6XX EQ settings for Mac, 6 published measurements
• Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro EQ settings for Mac, 11 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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