Skullcandy Sesh ANC EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the Skullcandy Sesh 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
- Cuts sub-bass at 31 Hz by about 4 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz for strong presence.
- Cuts about 10 dB around 8 kHz, adds about 6 dB above 16 kHz.
Sesh ANC at a glance
Wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling, released in 2022. Official specifications from Skullcandy:
- Bluetooth version
- 5.2
- Bluetooth codecs
- SBC
Sources: Skullcandy: Sesh ANC specifications.
Using the Sesh ANC with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Sesh ANC 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 Sesh ANC in stereo music mode.
Noise control. TuningMac can't switch Skullcandy's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Skullcandy'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 Sesh ANC. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the earbuds closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Cuts sub-bass at 31 Hz by about 4 dB.
- Adds about 2 dB around 500 Hz.
- Adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz for strong presence.
- Cuts about 10 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 Sesh ANC connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Sesh ANC (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Sesh ANC and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain -7.3 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 6933 Hz Gain -10.0 dB Q 1.03 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4308 Hz Gain 10.2 dB Q 1.55 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 712 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 1.72 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 51 Hz Gain 6.8 dB Q 0.77 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 2.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 160 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 1.05 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 90 Hz Gain 1.2 dB Q 2.33 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 1355 Hz Gain -0.8 dB Q 2.91 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 425 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 2.51
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | −7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 6.93 kHz | −10.0 dB | 1.03 |
| 3 | Bell | 4.31 kHz | +10.2 dB | 1.55 |
| 4 | Bell | 712 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.72 |
| 5 | Bell | 51 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.77 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 160 Hz | −1.0 dB | 1.05 |
| 8 | Bell | 90 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.33 |
| 9 | Bell | 1.35 kHz | −0.8 dB | 2.91 |
| 10 | Bell | 425 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.51 |
Preamp: −6.0 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 −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 Sesh ANC use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Sesh ANC 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 Sesh ANC?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, cuts sub-bass by about 4 dB, adds about 7 dB around 4 kHz, deep dip at 8 kHz with treble rise, with a preamp of -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 Sesh ANC 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.
Can I control the Skullcandy Sesh ANC's noise cancelling from a Mac?+
Not yet. TuningMac can't switch Skullcandy's noise cancelling modes yet, so use the button on the earbuds or Skullcandy's app on your phone. The EQ, volume and output features all work.
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 Sesh 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 Skullcandy's published specifications. Skullcandy Sesh ANC is a trademark of Skullcandy; TuningMac is not affiliated with Skullcandy.