On your Mac, use Audio settings to customize audio so it sounds best to your ears—play stereo sound as mono, turn Spatial Audio on or off, boost certain frequencies or soft sounds, and set other accessibility options for your headphones.
To change these settings, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Accessibility in the sidebar, then click Audio. (You may need to scroll down.)
Open Audio settings for me
General
Option
Description
Flash the screen when an alert sound occurs
Make your screen flash when you receive an alert.
Play stereo audio as mono
Make your Mac play stereo audio tracks as mono audio in the left and right speakers or headphones.
Spatial audio follows head movements
When you watch or listen to content that supports Spatial Audio on your Mac, the audio automatically adjusts as you move your head. A sound that seemed to be behind you may seem like it’s beside you when you turn your head. This option is on by default.
If you have difficulty controlling head movements or it’s uncomfortable to have sounds seem to change location as you move your head, turn the setting off. You’re still listening to Spatial Audio, but the apparent location of sounds doesn’t change.
Note: This option is available only on Mac computers with Apple silicon when compatible headphones are paired with your Mac. Spatial Audio is available with AirPods 3 or later, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Your AirPods or other compatible headphones
If you have more than one pair of compatible headphones paired with your Mac, click next to the name of a pair to set options for it.
Note: The available options vary based on the model of headphones paired with your Mac.
Option
Description
Press speed
When an action requires pressing the buttons, force sensor, or Touch control on your headphones multiple times, adjust how quickly you must press before the action occurs.
Press and hold duration
Adjust the duration required to press and hold the buttons, force sensor, or Touch control on your headphones before an action occurs.
Noise cancellation with one earbud
Allow noise cancellation mode when you’re only wearing one earbud.
Tone volume
Adjust the volume of the sound effects, such as low battery alerts, played by your headphones.
Note: Headphone Accommodations on Mac works with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.
Custom Audio Setup
With some compatible headphones, you can use Headphone Accommodations to personalize your headphone audio based on what sounds good to you. Click Custom Audio Setup, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Tune audio for
Click the pop-up menu, then choose an option to boost different frequencies.
Balance Tone: Boost a range of frequencies.
Vocal Range: Boost middle frequencies.
Brightness: Boost high frequencies.
Optimization
Drag the slider to set an amplification level for soft sounds.
Apply with
Phone: Apply Headphone Accommodations settings to phone calls.
Media: Apply Headphone Accommodations settings to media playback like music, movies, and podcasts.
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