Change audio bluetooth device type in MacOS ?

Hi there :)


I'm a music producer, running Mac OS Ventura 13.7.5 on a M2 Macbook pro, who is paired with a Presonus Eris 8BT (a bluetooth subwoofer for my music studio).


When I pair the sub, it is identified as 'headphones" by MacOS, and not as "speaker", and it seems that there is nothing I can do to change that (I searched on the net in many forums, they all say the same : it is possible on iOS, but not on MacOS).


As the sub is recognized as headphones, it do not "act" as a real studio monitor would do !

Every sudden sound (like the first drum kick or crash cymbal after a little silence) is almost inaudible :/ because it is strongly reduced by the ears protection system of MacOS !

Browsing sound samples with the audio preview function of MacOS Finder is absolutely impossible with all "short-sudden-sounds-type" samples : I hear almost nothing !

This is sooooooo frustrating ... :/


I have browsed Audio and Accessibility options in System>Settings but I found nothing that can help me.


I contacted Presonus support, and they answered that this is a MacOS issue, so they can do nothing to help me to solve it, except checking Audio and Accessibility options in System>Settings ...


As I am registered in Apple developers program, I tried the "Bleutooth Explorer" tool (provided in old XCode additional tools) but it crashes when I try to access devices configuration settings ...


Maybe someone here can provide a solution ? by use of 3rd party application that go deep into bluetooth configuration, or by editing some system/preferences files using MacOS Terminal ?


Thx in advance :)

Posted on Apr 26, 2025 6:50 AM

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4 replies

Apr 26, 2025 10:52 AM in response to naja_trance

naja_trance wrote:

1. Presonus Eris SUB 8BT are sold as studio monitors, and it's exactly what they are, no doubt about it ;)

Yes.

2. Problem occurs only when connected in BT, and everything sound well when used in wired way ...

Then I would suggest your used it wired.

3. I provide you the item picture, and you'll see instantly that there is a serious problem if any powerful OS like MacOS identify a single 12" box as a pair of headphones ^^ or something that you want use to make phone calls.

FWIW, I don't make phone calls with headphones.

4. Who can tell why the option to change bluetooth device type is available under iOS but not under MacOS ?

Apple would be the "Who" that could tell.

Apr 26, 2025 9:59 AM in response to dialabrain

  1. Presonus Eris SUB 8BT are sold as studio monitors, and it's exactly what they are, no doubt about it ;)
  2. Problem occurs only when connected in BT, and everything sound well when used in wired way ...
  3. I provide you the item picture, and you'll see instantly that there is a serious problem if any powerful OS like MacOS identify a single 12" box as a pair of headphones ^^ or something that you want use to make phone calls.
  4. Who can tell why the option to change bluetooth device type is available under iOS but not under MacOS ?



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Change audio bluetooth device type in MacOS ?

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