Skullcandy Hesh 3 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Skullcandy Hesh 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
- Pulls back sub-bass by about 4 dB, dips about 4 dB around 151 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 441 Hz and about 4 dB around 1.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 8 dB around 7.6 kHz and rolls off treble by about 5 dB above 10 kHz.
Hesh 3 at a glance
Wireless over-ear headphones. Official specifications from Skullcandy:
- Type
- Closed-back, over-ear, wireless
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- Codec
- AAC, SBC
- Battery
- Up to 22 h
- Weight
- 213 g
Sources: Skullcandy Hesh 3.
Using the Hesh 3 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Hesh 3 support AAC and 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 Hesh 3 in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Hesh 3. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Pulls back sub-bass by about 4 dB, dips about 4 dB around 151 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 441 Hz and about 4 dB around 1.7 kHz.
- Cuts about 8 dB around 7.6 kHz and rolls off treble by about 5 dB above 10 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 Hesh 3 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Hesh 3 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Hesh 3 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -5.3 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -3.8 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 441 Hz Gain 5.4 dB Q 0.96 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 7557 Hz Gain -8.5 dB Q 1.41 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 151 Hz Gain -4.4 dB Q 1.77 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1683 Hz Gain 4.4 dB Q 1.79 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 63 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 2.17 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 4181 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 3.50 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 3022 Hz Gain -1.9 dB Q 3.03 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 108 Hz Gain -1.6 dB Q 2.81
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 441 Hz | +5.4 dB | 0.96 |
| 3 | Bell | 7.56 kHz | −8.5 dB | 1.41 |
| 4 | Bell | 151 Hz | −4.4 dB | 1.77 |
| 5 | Bell | 1.68 kHz | +4.4 dB | 1.79 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −5.0 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 63 Hz | +3.3 dB | 2.17 |
| 8 | Bell | 4.18 kHz | +3.5 dB | 3.50 |
| 9 | Bell | 3.02 kHz | −1.9 dB | 3.03 |
| 10 | Bell | 108 Hz | −1.6 dB | 2.81 |
Preamp: −5.3 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 Hesh 3 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Hesh 3 support AAC and 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 Hesh 3?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, pulls back sub-bass by about 4 dB, adds about 5 dB around 441 Hz, cuts about 8 dB around 7.6 kHz, with a preamp of -5.3 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 Hesh 3 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 Hesh 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 Hesh 3 is a trademark of Skullcandy; TuningMac is not affiliated with Skullcandy.