Skullcandy Push Active EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Skullcandy Push Active, 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 and bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Dips about 3 dB around 125–250 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 4 kHz.
Push Active at a glance
Wireless sport earbuds with Skull-iQ voice control, released in 2021. Official specifications from Skullcandy:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.2
- Bluetooth codecs
- SBC
Sources: Skullcandy: Push Active specifications.
Using the Push Active with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Push Active 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 Push Active in stereo music mode.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Push Active. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Slight sub-bass and bass cut of about 2 dB.
- Dips about 3 dB around 125–250 Hz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz to 1 kHz.
- Adds about 2 dB around 4 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 Push Active connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Push Active (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Push Active and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -3.8 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 187 Hz Gain -3.2 dB Q 1.09 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 724 Hz Gain 3.5 dB Q 1.23 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4451 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 3.03 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 6106 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 2.99 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain -0.2 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 2843 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 4.10 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 2001 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 3.27 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 63 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 1.89 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 3723 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 6.00
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 187 Hz | −3.2 dB | 1.09 |
| 3 | Bell | 724 Hz | +3.5 dB | 1.23 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.45 kHz | +4.5 dB | 3.03 |
| 5 | Bell | 6.11 kHz | −4.5 dB | 2.99 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | −0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 2.84 kHz | −1.4 dB | 4.10 |
| 8 | Bell | 2 kHz | +0.8 dB | 3.27 |
| 9 | Bell | 63 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.89 |
| 10 | Bell | 3.72 kHz | +0.7 dB | 6.00 |
Preamp: −3.8 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 −2.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the Skullcandy Push Active use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Push Active 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 Push Active?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, dips about 2 dB in the bass and around 125–250 Hz, adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz–1 kHz and 4 kHz, with a preamp of -3.8 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 Push Active 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 Push Active 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 Push Active is a trademark of Skullcandy; TuningMac is not affiliated with Skullcandy.