CoreEQ vs Equaliser

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.

Equaliser is a system-wide audio equalizer for macOS that processes audio from every app automatically. It offers up to 64 parametric EQ bands, each with separate controls for frequency, gain, bandwidth or Q, and filter type. Compare Mode lets users hear adjusted settings against the original sound in real time, and 11 factory presets cover music, movies, and other uses. Listed specifications include a 1 Hz–22 kHz frequency range, sample rates up to 768 kHz, and 32-bit float processing. Equaliser can import filter settings from Room EQ Wizard; the project also supports EasyEffects import and exporting presets for sharing with Linux users. Processing happens locally, and the app says it does not record, store, or transmit audio or include analytics or telemetry. It is free and open source under GPL-3.0. The app requires macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later and an Apple Silicon Mac. It is not notarized by Apple, so macOS may require selecting Open Anyway in Privacy & Security settings.