The research shortlist
Page updated
FineTune Top pick
Open-source Mac volume mixer, boost, routing, and EQ
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
Closest functional match to Boom 3D because it combines per-app volume, boost, routing, and EQ, with an active public project and current v1.9.0 release.
A menu-bar audio mixer with independent per-app volume and mute, up to 4× boost, routing, 10-band EQ, headphone correction, and loudness compensation.
- 01 Per-app volume and mute with 2×/3×/4× boost
- 02 10-band EQ, presets, and AutoEQ headphone correction
- 03 Route apps to different outputs and combine devices
- 04 Global hotkeys, media-key/HUD support, and menu-bar workflow
- Requires macOS 15.0 or later and Screen & System Audio Recording permission.
- Global media-key controls may require additional Accessibility permission.
Evidence sources (11)
- FineTune official GitHub repository Source available ·
- FineTune GPL-3.0 LICENSE file License ·
- FineTune official releases Release ·
- FineTune latest downloadable release Free at review time ·
- FineTune project icon Screenshots ·
- FineTune main interface screenshot Screenshots ·
- FineTune EQ screenshot Screenshots ·
- GitHub REST repository API Source available ·
- GitHub license metadata License ·
- Latest GitHub release Release ·
- Latest macOS release asset Free at review time ·
SystemEQ for Mac
Free open-source system-wide EQ with output boost
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
Strongest system-wide enhancer for EQ plus volume gain, with the freshest release cadence and broad audio-shaping features; routing setup reduces convenience.
Full review — capabilities, 2 caveats, evidence
Routes Mac audio through BlackHole for native CoreAudio processing, with 10/31-band EQ, AutoEQ headphone presets, calibration and room tools, visualization, and a safety-limited +3 dB output boost.
- 01 10/31-band parametric EQ with low-latency vDSP processing
- 02 8,850+ AutoEQ headphone presets
- 03 Hearing calibration, room tuning, resonance finder, and visualizer
- 04 Device-aware presets, launch-at-login, and +3 dB output boost
- Requires the separate free BlackHole 2ch driver and keeping SystemEQ in the audio path.
- Supports macOS 13+ on Intel and Apple Silicon; free builds are ad-hoc signed and need first-launch Gatekeeper approval.
Evidence sources (12)
- SystemEQ for Mac official GitHub repository Source available ·
- SystemEQ for Mac GPL-3.0 LICENSE file License ·
- SystemEQ for Mac official releases Release ·
- SystemEQ for Mac latest downloadable release Free at review time ·
- SystemEQ for Mac official homepage Website ↗ ·
- SystemEQ for Mac main interface screenshot Screenshots ·
- SystemEQ for Mac equalizer screenshot Screenshots ·
- SystemEQ for Mac 31-band EQ screenshot Screenshots ·
- GitHub REST repository API Source available ·
- GitHub license metadata License ·
- Latest GitHub release Release ·
- Latest macOS release asset Free at review time ·
Equaliser
64-band open-source system-wide macOS equalizer
Metadata checked Aug 18, 2026
A capable, genuinely open system EQ with current releases and a 64-band engine; its smaller community, Apple Silicon-only support, and lack of per-app mixing or 3D surround place it third.
Full review — capabilities, 2 caveats, evidence
A native menu-bar equalizer that routes Mac audio through its driver and provides up to 64 parametric bands, independent L/R curves, real-time meters, presets, and A/B compare mode.
- 01 Up to 64-band parametric EQ
- 02 Independent left/right channel curves and compare mode
- 03 Real-time input/output meters with clip indicators
- 04 Automatic routing plus REW and EasyEffects preset import
- Requires macOS 15 or later on Apple Silicon.
- Installs a virtual audio driver, may show a microphone-permission prompt, and is not notarized by Apple.
Evidence sources (11)
- Equaliser official GitHub repository Source available ·
- Equaliser GPL-3.0 LICENSE file License ·
- Equaliser v1.3.3 release Release ·
- Equaliser latest downloadable release Free at review time ·
- Equaliser official homepage Website ↗ ·
- Equaliser project icon Screenshots ·
- Equaliser menu-bar screenshot Screenshots ·
- Equaliser main-window screenshot Screenshots ·
- GitHub REST repository API Source available ·
- GitHub license metadata License ·
- Latest macOS release asset Free at review time ·
Specifications, side by side
| Attribute | 1 · FineTune | 2 · SystemEQ for Mac | 3 · Equaliser |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0-only | GPL-3.0-only | GPL-3.0-only |
| Platforms | macOS | macOS | macOS |
| Status | Checked | Checked | Checked |
| Version | v1.9.0 | v1.3.0 | v1.3.3 |
| Stars | 8.7k | 18 | 59 |
| Last push | |||
| Caveats | 2 | 2 | 2 |
About Boom 3D
Boom 3D — Volume booster and equalizer for Mac. Enhance audio and enjoy immersive sound.
Setapp listing: Boost volume and audio quality
