Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

EqLume

github.com

Free plan macOS
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.7 #10 of 22 in Audio Equalizer Software

What it is

EqLume is a free system-wide equalizer for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 26.0 or later. It detects the genre of the current track and applies a matching EQ preset, with 21 presets that include hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical and ambient. The menu bar app shows a live spectrum analyzer and an EQ response curve. EqLume reads now-playing details from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music and supported browsers, and offers transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. It uses a Core Audio process tap to capture system audio without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. Audio is processed in memory, not recorded to disk or uploaded. Track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for lookups. The built-in 3.5 mm headphone output uses tuned correction; other outputs can be enabled per device, while built-in speakers are unprocessed. The Mac App Store version omits the optional on-device classifier.

Spec sheet

Purpose
EqLume is a system-wide macOS equalizer that detects the genre of the current track and automatically applies a matching EQ preset.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Privacy
Audio is processed in memory on the Mac and is not recorded to disk, uploaded, or shared with the developer or third parties.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs privacy questions and requests to its public GitHub issues page.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The app source code is MIT-licensed, while the bundled Discogs-EffNet model is CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 and imposes non-commercial share-alike terms on distributions that include it.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
App Store limitation
The Mac App Store build omits the optional audio classifier model, while catalog-based automatic presets remain available.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audio processing
It captures system audio through a Core Audio process tap and applies EQ without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Genre sources
Automatic genre selection uses MusicBrainz, the iTunes Search API, and an optional on-device CoreML classifier, with pop as the fallback preset.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metadata handling
Track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for genre and artwork lookup; the developer says it does not operate an analytics or tracking server.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output support
The built-in 3.5 mm headphone output uses the tuned correction, other outputs can be enabled per device in settings, and built-in speakers are left unprocessed.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Player integrations
It reads now-playing information from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and supported browsers, with transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Presets
It includes 21 genre presets, including hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical, and ambient.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
EqLume requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac.Read 3 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Spotify credentials
Spotify integration is optional, and its access and refresh tokens are stored in the macOS Keychain.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Visualizations
The menu bar app includes a live spectrum analyzer and a rendered EQ response curve.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free Mac app Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mac App Store Free macOS 26.0+ · Apple silicon Mac Read 3 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Every EqLume plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • 21 genre presets, including classical and ambient
  • Live spectrum analyzer and EQ response curve
  • No virtual audio driver or kernel extension
  • Audio stays in memory and is not uploaded
  • Free Mac app

Limits

  • Requires macOS 26.0 or later
  • Requires an Apple silicon Mac
  • Built-in speakers are left unprocessed
  • Mac App Store build omits the optional classifier

Who it suits

EqLume suits Mac users who want automatic genre-based equalization and per-device output settings. It requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac.

Verdict

EqLume pairs automatic genre presets with system-wide audio processing and player integrations. Its Mac requirements and unprocessed built-in speakers are important limits to note.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to EqLumeAll alternatives →