--- title: "Sony Headphone Settings for Music on a Mac" description: "The Sony headphone settings that matter for music on a Mac, in Spotify or Apple Music: output, one equalizer, a starting curve, DSEE and noise canceling." url: https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-headphones-music-settings-mac language: en --- # Sony headphones, tuned for music There's no single best setting for every ear, but there is a sensible order: get the connection right, use one equalizer, then decide on DSEE and noise canceling. Applies to: [WH-1000XM2](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm2), [WH-1000XM3](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm3), [WH-1000XM4](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm4), [WH-1000XM5](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm5), [WH-1000XM6](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm6), [WH-1000XX](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xx) · Updated 2026-11-03 ## Short answer For music on a Mac with Sony 1000X headphones: 1. Choose the headphones in **System Settings → Sound → Output**. The Mac sends AAC or SBC; it doesn't use LDAC. 2. Use one equalizer: the one in the headphones. Turn off the equalizer in Music, Spotify or any Mac EQ app. 3. Start from a curve such as **Balanced** in the [preset library](https://opensoundconnect.app/presets) and adjust by ear. 4. Turn on DSEE if you like it; on the XM2 and XM3 it works only with the equalizer off. 5. Use noise canceling, and turn Speak-to-Chat off if singing along keeps pausing your music. ## Check the output and the connection Open **System Settings → Sound → Output** (or the Sound module in Control Center) and make sure your headphones are selected. Then a few facts about Bluetooth on a Mac that save a lot of searching: - **The codec is AAC or SBC.** Macs don't use LDAC, so the headphones' LDAC support doesn't come into play, and no app can add it. - **Bluetooth isn't lossless.** Apple says so itself: lossless or hi-res tracks in Apple Music still reach Bluetooth headphones compressed. - **Dropouts:** if music stutters, Open Sound Connect's **Bluetooth Connection Quality** setting on the **Sound** page offers **Stable Connection** on the models that report it (on some newer models it's under **Wearing → Bluetooth Audio**). The headphones reconnect briefly when you change it. More in [Sony headphones stuttering on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-headphones-stuttering-mac). [LDAC, AAC and lossless on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-ldac-aac-lossless-mac) explains the codec side in detail. ## Use one equalizer The Sony equalizer runs inside the headphones and applies to everything your Mac plays. A second equalizer on the Mac adds its curve on top, which makes tuning confusing. Pick one: - **The headphones' equalizer** (recommended here): it works in every app and follows the headphones to your phone. - Then leave the others flat or off: the Music app's equalizer (**Window → Equalizer**), any equalizer in your music player, and system-wide EQ apps. [Sony EQ vs eqMac](https://opensoundconnect.app/compare/sony-eq-vs-eqmac) compares the two approaches if you're undecided. ## Pick a starting curve Set the equalizer on the **Sound** page (⌘2) of [Open Sound Connect](https://opensoundconnect.app/features/equalizer). Start flat or from one of these, then change one band at a time: | If you mostly listen to | Try | What it does | | --- | --- | --- | | A bit of everything | Balanced | Slightly less bass, slightly more clarity | | Electronic, hip-hop, pop | Bass | More low end, with a small lift at the top | | Acoustic, jazz, classical | Detail | More treble detail, low mids trimmed | | Long sessions, bright recordings | Relaxed | Softer top, a little warmer | | Podcasts and audiobooks | Voices | Less bass, voices forward | Exact values for each are in the [preset library](https://opensoundconnect.app/presets). The model guides explain each band: [WH-1000XM3](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/wh-1000xm3-eq-settings), [XM4](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/wh-1000xm4-eq-settings), [XM5](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/wh-1000xm5-eq-settings) and [XM6](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/wh-1000xm6-eq-settings). Sony's own presets, like Bright or Mellow, are there too; click one to compare. ## Decide on DSEE DSEE is Sony's upscaling for compressed music: DSEE HX on the XM2 and XM3, DSEE Extreme on the XM4, XM5 and XM6, and DSEE Ultimate on the WH-1000XX. Turn it on from the **Sound** page, **My Device** or the menu bar, and listen with and without it. - **XM2 and XM3:** Sony says DSEE HX works only with the equalizer off, so it's either your curve or DSEE. - **Other models:** the headphones may warn that the equalizer together with DSEE uses more battery. More in [DSEE on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-dsee-mac). ## Noise canceling, listening modes and Speak-to-Chat - **Noise canceling** lets you listen at a lower volume in noisy places. If the **Sound** page shows **NC Optimizer**, run it once while wearing the headphones. See [noise canceling on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/features/noise-cancelling). - **Speak-to-Chat** (XM4 and later) reacts to your voice: the XM4 and XM5 pause the music, the XM6 and XX lower the volume. If singing along sets it off, turn it off on the **Voice** page (⌘3). - **Listening modes** (XM6 and XX): on the XM6 the equalizer can be unavailable in Background Music, so use **Standard** when you want your curve. ## Save it as a scene Put the whole setup in a [scene](https://opensoundconnect.app/features/scenes): noise canceling, your curve, DSEE and Speak-to-Chat off. Give it an **App** trigger, so it applies when Music or Spotify comes to the front, or apply it with a click in the menu bar. ## Common questions ### Can I get LDAC or lossless audio from my Mac to Sony headphones? No. Macs send AAC or SBC over Bluetooth, and Bluetooth isn't lossless. See [LDAC, AAC and lossless on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-ldac-aac-lossless-mac). ### Why does my music sound worse during a call? When an app uses the headphones' microphone, macOS switches Bluetooth to a headset mode with lower audio quality until the mic is no longer in use. See [bad call audio on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-headphones-bad-call-audio-mac). ### Do these settings also apply on my phone? The equalizer, DSEE and noise control are saved in the headphones, so yes. Scenes and saved curves stay on your Mac. ## Where to next - [Equalizer and Clear Bass](https://opensoundconnect.app/features/equalizer): Sony's presets, your own band curve and Clear Bass, set in the headphones from your Mac. - [EQ preset library](https://opensoundconnect.app/presets): Six starting curves with exact values for the five-band models and the ten-band WH-1000XM6. - [DSEE on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-dsee-mac): DSEE HX, Extreme and Ultimate by model, when each one is active on a Mac, and where to turn it on. - [LDAC, AAC and lossless on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-ldac-aac-lossless-mac): Which Bluetooth codecs a Mac uses with Sony headphones, why lossless needs a cable, and what an app can't change. --- Open Sound Connect is independent software. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony. Sony, DSEE, DSEE Extreme and LDAC are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates. 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