Hey everyone,
after a lot of listening and cross-checking measurements, I’d like to share a recommended parametric EQ (PEQ) setup in Roon for the McIntosh MHP1000 headphones. These are high-end closed-back cans based on the Beyerdynamic Tesla driver, very similar to the DT1770 Pro – and as such, they share a similar tonal profile.
Summary of frequency characteristics:
- Strong midbass hump (~150 Hz): Creates warmth but can sound bloated or overpowering, especially in long sessions.
- Recessed low mids (~200 Hz): Adds to the “V-shaped” sound profile.
- Slight dip in presence region (~2–5 kHz): Leads to softer vocals and a less energetic midrange.
- Treble peaks (~6 kHz + ~8.5 kHz): Adds sparkle but can be sibilant or fatiguing. The 8.5 kHz peak especially adds grain to cymbals/sibilants.
Goal of EQ: Neutralize the tonal balance closer to Harman-style tuning without losing dynamics or excitement.
Recommended PEQ filters in Roon DSP:
| Band | Type | Freq (Hz) | Q | Gain (dB) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peak | 150 | 1.4 | –6.0 | Tames midbass bloat |
| 2 | Peak | 3000 | 1.4 | +3.0 | Restores vocal presence/detail |
| 3 | Peak | 6000 | 3.0 | –2.0 | Smooths upper mids glare |
| 4 | Peak | 8500 | 4.0 | –8.0 | Controls treble peak/sibilance |
Don’t forget to:
- Enable Headroom Management in Roon and set Preamp to –5 dB to prevent clipping.
- Use 64-bit float output to HQPlayer if that’s your backend.
- Double check Roon’s signal path – EQ should be applied before HQP takes over.
Context & source:
These filters are based on measurements from DIY-Audio-Heaven and Sonarworks for the DT1770 Pro, which shares identical Tesla driver tuning. I tested these settings with Mytek Brooklyn DAC → HQPlayer (DSD256) → MHP1000. The result? Much more balanced and natural tone. Bass is tight, vocals cut through, and treble is smooth yet detailed.
Feel free to tweak from here:
- Want more punch? Reduce the bass cut a bit.
- Still find treble hot? Add a narrow notch around 9 kHz.
Let me know how this works for your setup – and if you’ve created your own tuning for MHP1000 or DT1770, share it below!
Tested in chain: Roon ROCK → HQPlayer Embedded (on Zorin OS) → Mytek Brooklyn DAC → McIntosh MHP1000
Roon Software Discussion #headphones #dsp #eq #mhp1000 #hqplayer #mytek #tesla #beyerdynamic #dt1770pro #parametriceq