EQBase

EQBase is a system-wide macOS equalizer for listeners, creators, and audio hobbyists who want headphone correction or recording without a subscription. Pro is aimed at users who need room measurement, app-by-app mixing, or advanced routing. The free tier is unusually capable, but Mac-only support and plan-specific Mac limits narrow its audience.

Overview

EQBase processes audio from applications in real time across macOS, rather than limiting adjustments to a single player. Its 10-band equalizer is paired with measured correction profiles for more than 8,600 headphone models, using curves from the open-source AutoEQ project. That combination gives owners of supported headphones a quick route to more consistent playback, while users with unusual hardware may need to rely on manual adjustment.

System-audio recording is included on the free tier, with MP3, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF output. The range covers compressed sharing as well as lossless capture, making the free plan useful for recording app audio without buying a separate recorder. EQBase says the direct signal adds zero samples of latency and supports sample rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz.

Audio processing takes place locally. Audio content, recordings, and listening information are not collected, stored, or transmitted. Optional usage sharing can be disabled in Settings, as can crash reports, which are enabled by default. Normal setup does not install a driver; Audiophile mode and Pro routing use a user-space Core Audio driver.

Key features

Pro's room-correction workflow uses a microphone to measure a room and fit a parametric correction curve. This matters for speakers and listening spaces where headphone profiles cannot address room response, but it is unnecessary if your goal is only headphone EQ.

The Pro mixer adds per-app volume, mute, and tone controls, then routes sources to one or more outputs. That is a meaningful upgrade for people balancing music, calls, games, or production applications simultaneously. Pro also hosts Audio Unit plugins, extending processing beyond EQBase's built-in controls.

Apple silicon and Intel Macs are supported, provided they run macOS 14.4 or later. Updates are checked automatically and verified with an Ed25519 signature before installation. Email support typically replies within two business days.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing with no time limit. It includes the core equalizer, headphone profiles, and system-audio recording, but room correction, the app mixer, routing, and Audio Unit hosting are Pro features.

Pro Monthly costs $4.99 a month, is billed monthly, can be cancelled anytime, and includes all Pro features on up to 3 Macs. It suits users who need advanced controls temporarily or prefer not to commit upfront.

Pro Annual costs $39.99 a year, billed yearly, and includes all Pro features on 3 Macs. The annual price is described as about four months free compared with monthly billing, making it the sensible subscription choice for ongoing use.

Pro Lifetime costs 79.99 USD once and provides Pro features for 1 Mac. It avoids renewal charges, but the single-Mac entitlement is less suitable for households or users who regularly switch computers. There is no free trial, so the permanent free tier is the practical way to assess the basic workflow before paying.

Platforms

EQBase runs on macOS 14.4 or later and supports both Apple silicon and Intel hardware. There is no Windows, Linux, mobile, or web version, so users outside the Mac ecosystem need another product.

Who it's for

Choose EQBase if you use a Mac and want a broad headphone-profile library, system-wide processing, or multi-format audio capture at no cost. Pro is a better fit for studio and desktop listeners who need microphone-based room correction, app-level mixing, output routing, or Audio Unit plugins. It is a poor match for anyone requiring cross-platform support, and the Lifetime plan's one-Mac limit may frustrate users with several computers.

Pros and cons

• Pro: More than 8,600 measured headphone profiles reduce the need to build correction curves manually.
• Pro: Free recording supports six formats, including ALAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF.
• Pro: Local processing and non-transmission of audio content, recordings, and listening information provide a clear privacy position.
• Con: macOS 14.4 or later is mandatory, excluding users on older Macs and every other platform.
• Con: Room correction, per-app controls, routing, and Audio Unit hosting are locked behind Pro.
• Con: Lifetime Pro covers only one Mac, while subscriptions cover three.

Alternatives

For a wider directory of options, browse Audio Equalizer Software.

Pick Nahimic instead if you need Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS coverage and can install its required audio-driver update.

Choose Buddi for a free, GPLv2 budgeting application that runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows; it is not an audio equalizer.

DeskFX Audio Enhancer is another freemium Mac and Windows option, with a free non-commercial version and software from NCH Software.

Use JamesDSP if you want a free option for Android and Linux, including a Flathub build and PipeWire package.

SotF suits users seeking a free, open-source GPL-3.0 alternative with no subscription across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Choose EqLume for a free Mac app, or its Mac App Store build for macOS 26.0+ on Apple silicon.

eqMac offers a free macOS tier with community support, while Pro features require payment.

Equaliser is a free Mac option promoted as forever free, with no ads, tracking, or subscriptions.

Verdict

EQBase is a strong choice for Mac users who want extensive headphone correction and capable system-audio recording without paying. Pro earns its price for room measurement, app-level mixing, routing, and plugin hosting, especially on a three-Mac subscription. Look elsewhere if you need another operating system, support for an older macOS release, or a lifetime licence covering more than one Mac.