Boom 3D vs CoreEQ

Boom 3D is an audio enhancement app for Mac and Windows, with virtual surround sound, equalization, and playback controls. Its 3D surround effect works with headphones and includes controls for LFE gain and audio intensity. Both desktop versions include a 31-band equalizer with genre presets, while system-wide volume boosting is available only on Mac. A controller can set levels separately for running applications. The built-in player handles locally stored audio and playlists, and the app provides access to more than 20,000 internet radio stations across 120 countries. It can work offline, though radio and updates require internet access. The product page lists a 15-day free trial that does not require payment details. The paid product starts at ₹925.37, and one license activates on up to four devices across platforms. The site also lists Chrome and Safari extensions. Global Delight, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Udupi, India, makes the app. Separate help pages and manuals are available for Mac and Windows.

CoreEQ is a free system-wide equalizer for macOS, processing audio from music, video, calls, games and other applications. It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension, and audio passes straight through when the app is quit. The filter chain combines an eleven-band ISO octave graphic equalizer with up to sixteen parametric bells, shelves and pass filters. Users get 22 built-in presets, custom presets, automatic gain and A/B comparison, with import and export for AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets. Settings can be saved per output device, while menu-bar controls adjust bass, mid and treble. The maker describes it as a local app that does not record, store or transmit captured audio and opens no network sockets or listening ports. CoreEQ requires macOS 14.2 or later and permission to record system audio. Release builds are currently unsigned and unnotarized.