JamesDSP vs PC Equalizer
JamesDSP
github.comPC Equalizer
pcequalizer.comSide by side
| Figure | JamesDSP | PC Equalizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Equalizer Software | 8.2 (#7) | 8.5 (#2) |
| Effects | Its effects include automatic bass boost, dynamic range compression, reverberation, equalizers, crossfeed, stereo wideness control, analog modeling, and an output limiter. | Multi-Delays creates echoes, delay, and reverb, with up to 16 taps. |
| Equalizer | The arbitrary response equalizer integrates the AutoEQ database and requires a network connection. | It offers a 10 or 20 band equalizer and supports all channels. |
| Purpose | JamesDSP for Linux is an open-source audio effects processor for PipeWire and PulseAudio clients. | PC Equalizer Pro customizes a computer’s audio output and provides access to Equalizer APO features. |
| Support | The project invites users to join its Telegram group for support and updates. | The official site provides a contact form and advises customers waiting for a license key to check spam or junk folders. |
Plans
PC Equalizer
- Free DEMOFree
- Lifetime license for three PCs$20, paid once
- Lifetime license for 3 PCsPrice not published
In their own words
JamesDSP
JamesDSP is a free, open-source audio effects processor for Linux clients using PipeWire or PulseAudio. Its tools include automatic bass boost, multiband dynamic range compression, reverb, equalizers, crossfeed, soundstage widening, analog modeling, and an output limiter. A partitioned convolver supports mono, stereo, and full or true stereo impulse responses. The arbitrary response equalizer uses the AutoEQ database and requires a network connection. Users can build live DSP effects with EEL2 scripting in a minimal IDE that provides syntax highlighting, basic code completion, and console output. PipeWire is the intended backend; PulseAudio remains supported in maintenance mode. Selective app exclusion and changing the target device are available only for PipeWire clients. Since version 2.5.0, D-Bus IPC and command-line controls can manage settings, presets, devices, and preset rules. Installation options include Flatpak, Arch AUR, Fedora and openSUSE packages, or a source build. The Flatpak is sandboxed and has access only to its application data directory by default. The project is GPLv3 licensed and provides no warranty.
PC Equalizer
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.