CoreEQ vs PC Equalizer

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.

PC Equalizer Pro is Windows software for customizing computer audio output and accessing Equalizer APO features. It offers a 10- or 20-band equalizer across all channels, with controls for Stereo, Mono, Swap, Invert, and Balance. Pan/Expand can widen or narrow the stereo image, while Multi-Delays creates echoes, delay, and reverb with up to 16 taps. Users can select built-in presets or save and delete their own, then assign presets to applications such as Winamp, Windows Media Player, and PotPlayer. The program can detect active audio players and load their assigned presets. It can also launch at startup, minimize to the System Tray, and notify users when an assigned preset changes. Equalizer APO setup is included in the PC Equalizer 2.1 installer; manual installation is suggested if PC Equalizer does not run properly. A free demo requires no license key, and the site lists a lifetime license for 3 PCs at 201700.00 USD once. Pricing is also shown as from $20, and a free trial is offered.