• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Doodski

Grand Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
20,745
Likes
20,757
Location
Canada
Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in.
@sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation.
For crossover software go here.

Windows:
Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows.
Equalizer APO multichannel peakmeter.
EACS - Equalizer APO Config Switcher. A small Windows tray app that allows you to quickly switch between using different Equalizer APO configuration files.
Peace equalizer is a Windows PC interface for Equalizer APO.
Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.
REW is free room acoustics analysis software for measuring and analysing room and loudspeaker responses.
Focus Fidelity Designer creating convolution filters for Roon or HQ Player is very convenient, is faster than REW and easier to use.
Cavern QuickEQ an entire 5-microphone measurement can be done in under a minute with evaluation and export, which was unseen before.
PC Equalizer is a Graphical User Interface for "Equalizer APO" which is a parametric / graphic equalizer.
HiFiScan helps equalize an audio system to get the best possible audio quality from it. It can be automatic or manual.
DS WASAPI ASIO Router Mixer is an audio input to audio output router/mixer supporting Direct Sound, WASAPI and ASIO modes. Shareware 25 day trial.
Mega Switcher is an Alternative GUI for Equalizer APO
MusicBee media player with EQ
QRange 12 band EQ, each band can be used as peak, shelf and cut filter.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ.
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player w/10 band EQ.
MathAudio add-ons Room EQ VST, VST3, AU and Foobar2000 component.
Roon manages the music from all your digital sources: TIDAL, Qobuz, NAS, hard drives, iTunes, live radio and includes a parametric EQ.
Neutron Music Player audiophile-grade platform-independent 32/64-bit audio engine, parametric EQ.
CamillaDSP supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows.
Boom 3D Desktop 31-band equalizer, 3D surround.
Realtek HD 10 band EQ for Realtek audio chipset.
FxSound Enhancer uses EQ presets.
Sonarworks Reference 4 calibrates your studio monitors and headphones.
Waves EQ plug-ins
Equalify Pro a 3rd party desktop plug in specifically for Spotify.
ToneBoosters Equalizer 4 all-purpose dyamic equalizer with AI assist functionality.
Toneboosters TB Equalizer v3
Toneboosters Morphit hundreds of headphone profiles
Sonic Studio 3 for ASUS motherboards.
JRiver comprehensive and seamless software available for managing and playing your media.
Voicemeeter Banana virtual mixer with EQ and audio routing capabilities, integration with VST host software.
FabFilter Pro Q 3 up to 24 EQ bands, regarding setting the Q values please refer to comment #305 and #308
EKIO is a comprehensive loudspeaker management application. It lets you customize the sound of your loudspeaker system.
ARC System 3 - Acoustic Correction System 2 types to choose from.
oratory1990 is headphone specific equalization.
AutoEq uses EQ profiles to be used with EQ software.
CanOpener Studio EQ with Crossfeed plugin.
Boom3D and Boom2 10-band & 31-Band Advanced Equalizers.
HQPlayer PEQ, a convolver with impulse response files, cross-feed and multi-channel support/mixing/routing.
rePhase comes as a simple portable executable in a zip file, and does not require installation.
MEqualizer is an extremely easy-to-use and powerful 6-band equalizer.
SplitEQ parametric EQ with 8-bands and proprietary effects.
Element is a VST/AU host and comes with quite a few built in effects as well.
MFreeformEqualizer draw the equalization that you want and the plugin will make it happen.

Linux:
[GUIDE] How to use Equalizer APO (PEQ) presets in Linux.

Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.
PulseEffects signal processing tools including parametric equalizer.
PulseEffects has been renamed EasyEffects as recent versions have moved from using pulseaudio to requiring pipewire.
JamesDSP Audio Effect Processor For PipeWire Or PulseAudio (Equalizer, Bass Boost, More).
CamillaDSP supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows.
HiFiScan helps equalize an audio system to get the best possible audio quality from it. It can be automatic or manual.
Camillagui runs in the browser and handles the actual interface.
dsp is an audio processing program with an interactive mode.
Daphile is an audiophile class music server & player OS – targeted to dedicated headless PC.
moOde audio player parametric and graphic equalizers with CamillaDSP and music playback for Raspberry Pi family of single board computers.
Volumio audiophyle music player for Rasberyy Pie.
FusionDsp a Volumio 3 plug in
JRiver comprehensive and seamless software available for managing and playing your media.
Voicemeeter audio mixer application w/ virtual audio device used as virtual I/O to mix/manage any source from/to any audio devices or applications.
DSP for Volumio (previously Brutefir3)
BruteFIR - the convolution engine used by daphile, Volumio's DSP plugin, an LMS plugin and probably others, also manually configurable in a custom alsa config, JACK etc. You can also use it to make crossovers.
BrutefirDRC - the LMS plugin that uses BruteFIR running on the server, configurable per endpoint. Archimago has a howto.
Jconvolver - formerly Zita-convolver, the convolution engine used in PulseEffects, which can also be used with JACK.
Alsaequal - an equalizer you can add to the alsa config. Basic usage is a fixed band graphic equalizer, but it can be used to give a control interface to any other LADSPA plugin via the usual alsa mixer interface. The normal alsa config for ladspa plugins only allows fixed configurations, although for something like an active crossover that's probably an advantage.
REW is free room acoustics analysis software for measuring and analysing room and loudspeaker responses.
oratory1990 is headphone specific equalization.
AutoEq uses EQ profiles to be used with EQ software.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ runs under wine.

Shairport Sync uses DSP to allow the user to manually input the REW PEQ settings and save for later.
HQPlayer PEQ, a convolver with impulse response files, cross-feed and multi-channel support/mixing/routing.
Pulseaudio Parametric Equalizer is a python GUI to insert a 3 band PEQ w/ high/low shelves into the pulseaudio audio server.
Pipewire do post-processing of the sound generated by a application, a possible drop-in replacement for both Jack and Pulseaudio.
Calf plugin suite.
LSP (Linux Studio Plugins) is a collection of open-source plugins.
DeaDBeeF is a modular audio player with a 18-band graphical equalizer and other DSP plugins.

Plus there's a whole host of LADSPA plugins you can use via JACK, alsaequal, or with a fixed configuration in the alsa config file. A good example is the PE32LR parametric equalizer from the Linux Studio Plugins Project which provides the parametric equalizer for PulseEffects.

macOS: (System wide parametric EQ solutions on OSX typically rely on separate plugin hosting software and the actual plugin which does the actual equalization.)

Audio plugin hosts include:
Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.
MenuBus has a free version but is no longer actively developed.
Neutron Music Player audiophile-grade platform-independent 32/64-bit audio engine, parametric EQ.
eqMac parametric EQ and mixer.****
SoundSource w/ EQ profiles for headphones from Oratory, Reference Audio Analyzer, Crinacle, Inner Fidelity & headphone.com & 20 minute trial period.****
HiFiScan helps equalize an audio system to get the best possible audio quality from it. It can be automatic or manual.
Hosting AU with BlackHole (BlackHole: Virtual Audio Driver. Setting up the EQ details for macOS are here.) or Soundflower can be used as a system wide AU plugin host.
JRiver comprehensive and seamless software available for managing and playing your media.

EQ plugins include:
MFreeformEqualizer draw the equalization that you want and the plugin will make it happen.

Waves Q10 plugin as a PEQ solution.
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a parametric EQ plugin but is not free.
Fabfilter Pro Q3 is another parametric EQ plugin, regarding setting the Q values please refer to comment #305 and #308
LAConvolver plugin is a free convolver EQ which works with impulse response WAV files.
EQE is a system wide parametric equalizer on iOS but requires jailbreaking.

Element is a VST/AU host and comes with quite a few built in effects as well.
SplitEQ parametric EQ with 8-bands and proprietary effects.
MathAudio add-ons Room EQ VST, VST3, AU and Foobar2000 component.
Rogue Amoeba SoundSource headphone profiles from headphones.com and Crinacle + others.
QRange 12 band EQ, each band can be used as peak, shelf and cut filter.
REW is free room acoustics analysis software for measuring and analysing room and loudspeaker responses.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ.
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player w/10 band EQ.
CamillaDSP supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows.
Universal Audio Equalizer for Mac OS X
Boom 3D Desktop 31-band equalizer, 3D surround.
eqMac 10 band EQ.
Sonarworks Reference 4 calibrates your studio monitors and headphones.
Audirvana can do bit-perfect and exclusive access but can't do system level hosting.
Audio Hijack can host system level DSP, including those EQs.
ToneBoosters Equalizer 4 all-purpose dyamic equalizer with AI assist functionality.
Toneboosters TB Equalizer v3
Toneboosters Morphit hundreds of headphone profiles.
FabFilter Pro Q 3 up to 24 EQ bands.
oratory1990 is headphone specific equalization.
CanOpener Studio EQ with Crossfeed plugin.

AU Lab the download link is at the bottom of the page.
Boom3D and Boom2 10-band & 31-Band Advanced Equalizers.
HQPlayer PEQ, a convolver with impulse response files, cross-feed and multi-channel support/mixing/routing.
Soundsource Per-App Audio Effects with the built-in 10-band equalizer.
MEqualizer is an extremely easy-to-use and powerful 6-band equalizer.

iOS/iPadOS:
HouseCurve for room correction, adjusting equalizers, setting subwoofer phase, choosing crossover frequencies and more.
SoundID by Sonarworks, uses Reference 4 profiles.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ.
Neutron Music Player Audio player with EQ.
KaiserTone Audio Player +HiRes with up to 30 band EQ.
iPeng for IOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple watch support) as player for the squeezeboxserver/Logitech Media Server.
AUM Audio Mixer plugin host, recorder, and connection hub. Multi-channel interface support, busses, fx sends, built-in PEQs.
Toneboosters Morphit headphones correction plug-in with studio reference equalization.

Android:
Musicolet Music Player up to 31 band EQ.
Audio Visualizer Music Player music player with 31-band equalizer, reverb, echo etc.
RE Equalizer FX 10 ISO faders with one band per each octave w/ Audio Analyzer for real time monitoring.
SpotEQ31 31 Band Equalizer For Left & Right Side. More details ae here.
Neutron Music Player an advanced music player with audiophile-grade platform-independent 32/64-bit audio.
Wavelet is headphone specific equalization or use a 9 band EQ.
USB Audio Player PRO supporting USB audio DACs playing up to 32-bit resolution at any sample rate & MQA decoder, in app purchase available for PEQ!
Music Equalizer EQ 10 band equalizer.
Viper4Android a system-wide convolution based equalizer.
JamesDSP 10 Band Hybrid Equalizer.
Equalizer FX. Pro 5 band EQ with effects.

Neutralizer
Dolby Atmos
SoundID by Sonarworks, uses Reference 4 profiles.
Poweramp Equalizer based on Poweramp player.
foobar2000 is an advanced freeware audio player with EQ.
HiBy Music 10 band graphic EQ, lossless/lossy audio format support.

Raspberry Pie:
Hang Loose Convolver (HLC) is a specially designed stereo and multichannel convolver to compare “level matched” convolution filters in real time with “instant switching” between filters.

Audio Routing Software: For signal redirection between app, DAW, hw input / output.
LoopBeAudio transfer audio between computer programs, digitally, without any quality loss.
ASIO Link Pro
Synchronous Audio Router a Windows audio driver which allows you to route application audio through your digital audio workstation software.

Upgrading Windows Mixer APOs.
Ending the Windows Audio Quality Debate details how the Windows stack can be fixed without bypassing it entirely.
 
Last edited:

Χ Ξ Σ

Senior Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Messages
457
Likes
1,969
Location
UTC-8
Mac actually has many types of DSP built-in to its OS: 31-band, parametric, peakings, shelfing, various types of reverb, you name it. These are all free. However, the user needs a hosting application to access these EQ interfaces, and hosting softwares on Mac typically are not free.

Right now I am using Audirvana and Audiohijack. Audirvana can do bit-perfect and exclusive access but can't do system level hosting. Audiohijack can host system level DSP, including those EQs. The only downside is that isn't "bit-perfect" if you care about that.

I recommend Audiohijack.
 
Last edited:

DDF

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Dec 31, 2018
Messages
617
Likes
1,355
Windows
  • Spotify desktop doesn't have a built in equalizer but a 3rd party desktop plug in specifically for Spotify can be purchased https://www.equalify.me/
  • Tidal desktop doesn't have a built in equalizer
  • Foobar has a GEQ that works and (an apparently glitchy) VST support, but no PEQ as flexible as EAPO (that I've found)
  • Equalizer APO is best system wide Windows EQ I've found, avoiding need for app specific eqs. Very flexible (GEQ, PEQ, VST... no limits). One thing I need to investigate is if the single precision 32 bit floating point math causes any performance issues with highly complex filter chains
  • Spotify connect provides remote control of Spotify app running on the windows machine, Tidal is rolling out the same; but I found a much better way to remotely control windows audio for free (e.g. tweak Eqs on the fly, "Spotify Connect" like functionality for all players, all from the listening chair): Windows Remote Desktop for Android works flawlessly to provide complete control of a pc from a tablet https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...sktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-android
Other Windows global equalizer/crossover/room eq options exist but I haven’t tested:
Android
  • Tidal Android doesn't have a built in equalizer
  • Spotify Android has an equalizer in the android app but it accesses the local android equalizer and doesn't work to Chromecast
  • UAPP has Tidal/DLNA/Local file integration and two great equalizers
    • 10 PEQs via “ToneBoosters” “TB Equalizer v3” in TB manual
    • Fantastic headphone EQ via Morphit: huge number of supported headphones but equally cool, individual choice of several targets including Harman, "studio", free field, diffuse field, etc etc. Amazing value
  • Neutron has DSP features https://neutronmp.com/ and supports chromecating and DLNA
  • https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq claims “best app for system wide equalization on Android (without rooting)”. Haven't tried it given Toneboosters and Morphit already in UAPP
I set up a standard android (not TV) box in minutes to run as a headless music system supporting Tidal, local file playback, or UPNP/DLNA playback from a NAS, with full 10 band PEQ for room correction, or Morphit headphone EQ. This is a great alternative to RPI: hardware is turnkey, no Volumio headaches or subscriptions, very fast to set up and cheap
  • Install UAPP, configure it for either Morphit headphone EQ or use the10 PEQs to correct room acoustics. Select the option to allow it to be a renderer. Connect the USB dac (or use HD out (gak)
  • Install BubbleUPNP as your control point on a phone or tablet. From Bubble, select uapp as renderer
  • Only drawback is that Bubble can't access the settings in uapp so it can't headlessly switch EQ settings but this may (TBD) get around this limitation: http://www.cetusplay.com/
Chromecast equalizer
  • The Google Home app has a built in equalizer for chromecast but it's just bass and treble.
  • No desktop or android equalizers would work since chromecast plays directly from the server. Chrome has integrated equalizer available from the chrome store, but casting from chrome has awful jitter (see ASR tests)
Linux
  • Daphile: has Convolution filtering for DRC and equalizer (uses Brute FIR); can run it from a usb stick:
  • Moodeaudio: Free program. May have a few more glitches but many prefer over Volumio. Room correction: http://moodeaudio.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2308
  • Volumio: Requires a yearly fee to support Tidal, and too many complaints about issues so I haven't tried
 
Last edited:
OP
Doodski

Doodski

Grand Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
20,745
Likes
20,757
Location
Canada
Need more suggestions if peeps have any. :D Please look over the details and advise me if I am missing anything.
 

jhaider

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
2,822
Likes
4,514
The title of this thread has a huge hole - one shaped like a rectangle with a notch on top.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tmo

m_g_s_g

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Messages
192
Likes
229
Location
Europe. Living in MD, USA.
I use VoiceMeeter Banana’s EQ feature. Now I know why the results I was getting were slightly different to Equalizer APOs ones! It only has 6 bands, but that’s enough for me. It allows me to have (2) different presets for each front, back and sub speakers and headphones.

I have been using it for a long time, and even if it‘s documented and supported how to make it coexist with Equalizer APO, I prefer to use it alone, to reduce complexity.
 
Last edited:

vavan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2019
Messages
341
Likes
212
Location
Kazan, Russia
Post suggestions here and I will gather the details and add them to this first post
jriver has been mentioned but not included in original post (yet?)

oh, and there are gobs of vst-type equalizers but one need some kind of vst host software (probably worth its own dedicated topic/thread) to use those
 

M00ndancer

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 4, 2019
Messages
719
Likes
728
Location
Sweden

dualazmak

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
2,820
Likes
2,950
Location
Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
OP
Doodski

Doodski

Grand Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
20,745
Likes
20,757
Location
Canada

dualazmak

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
2,820
Likes
2,950
Location
Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Top Bottom