Skullcandy Dime 3 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Skullcandy Dime 3, 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
- Slight sub-bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz.
- Dips about 4 dB around 8 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB above 16 kHz.
Dime 3 at a glance
Wireless earbuds, ultra-affordable, released in 2023. Official specifications from Skullcandy:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.3
- Bluetooth codecs
- SBC
Sources: Skullcandy: Dime 3 specifications.
Using the Dime 3 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Dime 3 support SBC, 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 earbuds' 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 Dime 3 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Dime 3. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight sub-bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz.
- Dips about 4 dB around 8 kHz.
- Adds about 6 dB above 16 kHz.
Fit, ear tips 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 Dime 3 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Dime 3 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Dime 3 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -1.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 6165 Hz Gain -5.4 dB Q 2.00 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 423 Hz Gain 2.6 dB Q 0.72 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 204 Hz Gain -3.1 dB Q 2.45 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2291 Hz Gain 1.8 dB Q 3.92 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9469 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 2.52 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 65 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 2.05 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 278 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 3.92 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 1544 Hz Gain -0.4 dB Q 3.43
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 6.17 kHz | −5.4 dB | 2.00 |
| 3 | Bell | 423 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.72 |
| 4 | Bell | 204 Hz | −3.1 dB | 2.45 |
| 5 | Bell | 2.29 kHz | +1.8 dB | 3.92 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9.47 kHz | −1.5 dB | 2.52 |
| 8 | Bell | 65 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.05 |
| 9 | Bell | 278 Hz | −0.4 dB | 3.92 |
| 10 | Bell | 1.54 kHz | −0.4 dB | 3.43 |
Preamp: −3.0 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 −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Skullcandy Dime 3 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Dime 3 support SBC, 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 Skullcandy Dime 3?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, slight sub-bass cut, adds about 3 dB around 500 Hz, adds about 6 dB above 16 kHz, with a preamp of -3 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 Skullcandy Dime 3 sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the earbuds' 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.
Should I turn off the EQ in Skullcandy's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in Skullcandy's app is applied inside the earbuds, 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 Dime 3 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 Skullcandy's published specifications. Skullcandy Dime 3 is a trademark of Skullcandy; TuningMac is not affiliated with Skullcandy.