DeskFX Audio Enhancer vs Equaliser

DeskFX Audio Enhancer changes sound played through computer speakers or headphones in real time. It runs on Windows and macOS and works with music services, streaming TV and movies, games and other computer audio. Effects include equalization, amplification, reverb, chorus, wahwah, vibrato and tremolo. Users can layer an unlimited number of effects and choose from more than 30 presets. Equalizer options are visual, graphic and parametric, with a system-wide equalizer of up to 20 bands. NCH also describes uses in gyms, foyers, retail locations and waiting rooms, including pink-noise masking for privacy; low latency and CPU use are listed as suitable for live-stream applications. The free version is for non-commercial use. A commercial quarterly license is $9.99 a month, billed quarterly and renewing automatically. Annual licenses are $34.99 a year for personal use and $39.95 a year for commercial use; both note +VAT/year. System requirements list Windows 7 through 11 and macOS 10.9 or above.

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.