Marshall MID ANC EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Marshall MID ANC, the specs that matter, and what changes when you use them with a Mac. Copy the settings and apply them in one click.
The short answer
- Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz for warmer mids.
- Cuts about 3 dB around 4 kHz.
- Rolls the highest treble down by about 12 dB.
MID ANC at a glance
Wireless on-ear noise-cancelling headphones with aptX, released in 2018. Official specifications from Marshall:
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- ANC
- Active noise cancelling
- Bluetooth
- aptX
- Battery
- Up to 20 h (ANC on), 30 h (ANC off)
- Weight
- 208 g
Sources: Marshall: MID ANC.
Using the MID ANC with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The MID ANC support SBC, AAC and aptX, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz).
Calls sound worse than music. As soon as an app uses the headphones' microphone (Zoom, FaceTime, a dictation shortcut), Bluetooth switches to hands-free mode, which has much lower audio quality. Pick your Mac's built-in microphone as the input to keep the MID ANC in stereo music mode.
ANC not controllable TuningMac cannot change noise-control modes on Marshall headphones. Use the button on the headphones to toggle ANC.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Marshall's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Marshall's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the MID ANC. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz for warmer mids.
- Cuts about 3 dB around 4 kHz.
- Rolls the highest treble down by about 12 dB.
Fit, ear pads and your own ears all change what you hear, and neutral isn't everyone's favourite sound. Use this as a starting point, then adjust by ear.
Apply it in TuningMac (parametric EQ)
TuningMac's Advanced EQ imports this format directly. Copy the settings, then:
- Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your MID ANC connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for MID ANC (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your MID ANC and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -2.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 574 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 0.18 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 5174 Hz Gain -7.6 dB Q 0.60 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 135 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 0.57 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5344 Hz Gain 7.5 dB Q 2.59 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 2104 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 3.28 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 988 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 1.13 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7887 Hz Gain 3.1 dB Q 5.54 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 451 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 1.97
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 574 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.18 |
| 3 | Bell | 5.17 kHz | −7.6 dB | 0.60 |
| 4 | Bell | 135 Hz | −3.2 dB | 0.57 |
| 5 | Bell | 5.34 kHz | +7.5 dB | 2.59 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 2.1 kHz | +1.6 dB | 3.28 |
| 8 | Bell | 988 Hz | −0.8 dB | 1.13 |
| 9 | Bell | 7.89 kHz | +3.1 dB | 5.54 |
| 10 | Bell | 451 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.97 |
Preamp: −2.9 dB. It lowers the overall level so the boosts don't clip.
Prefer simple sliders? The 10-band version
No Advanced EQ needed: AutoEQ also gives values for a standard 10-band equalizer, the same bands as TuningMac's main EQ. In the menu bar popover choose Custom, set each slider, and set the preamp to about −3.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Marshall MID ANC use on a Mac?+
AAC. The MID ANC support SBC, AAC and aptX, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the Marshall MID ANC?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz, cuts about 3 dB around 4 kHz, rolls high treble down sharply, with a preamp of -2.9 dB. The exact values are on this page, ready to copy. Treat it as a neutral starting point and adjust to taste.
Why do my Marshall MID ANC sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the headphones' microphone, Bluetooth switches from stereo music mode to a hands-free call mode with much lower audio quality. To keep music quality during calls, choose your Mac's built-in microphone as the input instead. TuningMac's Input list does this in one click, and its Device Info shows which mode you're in.
Can I control the Marshall MID ANC's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Marshall's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the headphones or Marshall's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
Should I turn off the EQ in Marshall's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Marshall's app is applied inside the headphones, so it also affects your Mac and would add to this correction. TuningMac's EQ only changes sound from your Mac, so it won't affect your phone.
Tune your MID ANC on your Mac
Parametric and 10-band EQ, noise control and battery in the menu bar.
EQ data from AutoEQ by Jaakko Pasanen (MIT licence), measurement by Rtings. Specifications from Marshall's published specifications. Marshall MID ANC is a trademark of Marshall; TuningMac is not affiliated with Marshall.