DTS Sound Unbound vs EasyEffects
DTS Sound Unbound
consumer.dts.comEasyEffects
github.comSide by side
| Figure | DTS Sound Unbound | EasyEffects |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.8 (#10) |
| Installation | Windows users install the app from the Microsoft Store or by selecting DTS Sound Unbound from the taskbar Spatial Sound menu. | The project says most current Linux distributions package Easy Effects and also offers Flatpak installation. |
| What it does | DTS Sound Unbound is a Windows/Xbox application that unlocks DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X spatial-audio technologies. | Easy Effects applies audio effects to applications managed by PipeWire, including application output and microphone audio sent to recording applications. |
Plans
DTS Sound Unbound
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Headphone:X$19.99, paid once
In their own words
DTS Sound Unbound
DTS Sound Unbound is a Windows app that provides DTS audio solutions, including DTS Headphone:X and a DTS:X decoder. Headphone:X uses Microsoft Spatial Sound to place game audio cues around, above and below the listener. It works with any headphones and offers custom tuning for more than 500 headphones. The decoder plays DTS-encoded content stored locally or streamed to a device, and can be purchased separately or bundled with Headphone:X. The app is available through the Microsoft Store with a free plan priced at free, plus a free trial; audio technologies may require in-app purchases. It supports Windows 10 version 10.0.18362.380 or higher and can be installed on up to 10 devices. Xbox availability includes DTS:X for Home Theater, described as a free upgrade on listed Xbox consoles. Current content focus is headphones and multichannel speakers connected directly to a PC sound card.
EasyEffects
EasyEffects is free, open-source Linux software for applying audio effects to applications managed by the PipeWire audio server. It can process application output and microphone audio sent to recording applications. Available effects include equalizer, compressor, convolver, limiter, noise reduction, reverberation, pitch shift and stereo tools, with control over their processing order. Users can process input or output streams and exclude selected applications. Processed audio can be exposed through Easy Effects Source for recording and communication applications. Configurations can be saved, imported, reused on another system and set to load automatically for selected devices. A PipeWire tab reports version, quantum values, sample rate, installed modules and loaded clients. Most current Linux distributions package the application, and a sandboxed Flatpak includes available plugins. Some distribution packages may omit plugins needed for certain effects. EasyEffects is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, and PipeWire must be installed.