Skullcandy Grind EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Skullcandy Grind, 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 of sub-bass at 31 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 1 kHz for vocal forward sound.
- Dips about 6 dB around 2 kHz, adds about 3 dB around 4 kHz.
Grind at a glance
Wireless on-ear headphones with a compact design. Official specifications from Skullcandy:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.0
- Bluetooth codecs
- SBC
Sources: Skullcandy: Grind specifications.
Using the Grind with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Grind 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 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 Grind in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Grind. 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 of sub-bass at 31 Hz.
- Dips about 2 dB around 250 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 1 kHz for vocal forward sound.
- Dips about 6 dB around 2 kHz, adds about 3 dB around 4 kHz.
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 Grind connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Grind (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Grind and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.6 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 834 Hz Gain 6.1 dB Q 2.22 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 55 Hz Gain -5.2 dB Q 0.44 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 2367 Hz Gain -6.0 dB Q 3.51 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 559 Hz Gain 2.7 dB Q 2.08 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 1.6 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 7154 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 2.98 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5035 Hz Gain 4.9 dB Q 3.08 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 8536 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 4.95 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 262 Hz Gain -0.6 dB Q 2.41
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 834 Hz | +6.1 dB | 2.22 |
| 3 | Bell | 55 Hz | −5.2 dB | 0.44 |
| 4 | Bell | 2.37 kHz | −6.0 dB | 3.51 |
| 5 | Bell | 559 Hz | +2.7 dB | 2.08 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 7.15 kHz | −4.9 dB | 2.98 |
| 8 | Bell | 5.04 kHz | +4.9 dB | 3.08 |
| 9 | Bell | 8.54 kHz | −2.0 dB | 4.95 |
| 10 | Bell | 262 Hz | −0.6 dB | 2.41 |
Preamp: −6.6 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 −5.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Skullcandy Grind use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Grind 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 Grind?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, adds about 3 dB of sub-bass, adds about 6 dB around 1 kHz, dips about 6 dB around 2 kHz, with a preamp of -6.6 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 Grind 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.
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 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 Grind 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 Grind is a trademark of Skullcandy; TuningMac is not affiliated with Skullcandy.