eqMac

eqMac processes system audio on macOS, combining equalization, output-volume control and optional advanced mixing tools. It suits listeners who want to tune headphones or speakers, adjust device balance and use one audio-processing interface across applications.

Audio tools

The free tier includes bass/mid/treble controls, a ten-band equalizer, volume balance and volume control for devices such as HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The publisher also documents Bluetooth, USB, AirPlay 1, Thunderbolt, aggregate and multi-output devices. Availability can depend on the chosen capture method and macOS version.

Paid Pro features include an unlimited-band parametric equalizer with filter, frequency, gain and bandwidth controls; a spectrum analyzer; per-application volume mixing; spatial-audio effects; separate left/right equalization; and Audio Unit hosting. Headphone presets, configurable interface elements and condition-based Super Presets have free and paid capabilities. The website separately labels recording, cloud sync, virtual output and remote control as in development; those should not be treated as currently delivered features.

Install and compatibility

Download the official eqMac DMG and move eqMac.app to Applications, or use brew install --cask eqmac. The current official product page advertises macOS 10.13 or later on Intel and Apple Silicon. Some newer functionality has stricter requirements: per-output-device capture-method selection and experimental AirPlay support are documented for macOS 14.2 or later in the 1.9 release notes. Device support does not imply every processing mode works on every OS or interface.

The cask has no separate formula dependency or named conflict. Third-party Audio Units are additional software and have their own compatibility and licenses. Historical architecture documentation describes a user-space audio driver; version 1.9.1 specifically removes the helper that caused macOS 27 issues. Do not assume older installation-component descriptions apply unchanged to current releases. Grant only the access requested by the installed release for its audio-capture workflow; a blanket Full Disk Access requirement is not established by the checked sources.

Price, account and license

The publisher offers a free Basic tier and paid Pro subscriptions or a Pro lifetime license. Its current page lists subscription plans starting at $3 per month or $30 per year, and a $40 single-Mac lifetime license for current Pro features. Future Pro features can require a partial upgrade; subscription device allowances and purchase terms differ. Check the live checkout before purchasing.

The public repository explicitly says its code corresponds to version 1.3.2 without Pro features and newer releases are built in a private fork. Do not label the current entire application open source solely because a public repository exists. Commercial application use follows the publisher's EULA, with separate terms for third-party plug-ins. Account and payment workflows are used for Pro licensing; the checked material does not establish a mandatory account for every free control.

Network and practical risks

System audio processing runs on your Mac, while downloads, updates, account/licensing functions and optional online resources use the network. Historical project documentation describes remotely hosted UI assets cached for offline use; no blanket entirely-offline guarantee is asserted for the current private build. Read the publisher's privacy policy before account use.

Boosting volume beyond normal levels or applying extreme gain can cause clipping, unpleasant listening levels and output distortion. Start with conservative gain and a safe device volume. Audio routing changes can interrupt playback; check the selected output device and bypass settings when troubleshooting. Save presets before resetting settings and review third-party effects before installing them.

The official v1.9.2 GitHub release asset lists eqMac.dmg as 19,147,100 bytes. Installed data and plug-ins need additional space.

Sources: Official product and pricing, Official source notice, Official release history.