Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Equalizer APO VS SoundSource

Compare Equalizer APO VS SoundSource and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Equalizer APO logo Equalizer APO

A system-wide equalizer for Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 with channel remapping/copying capabilities

SoundSource logo SoundSource

The sound control that should be built into MacOS
  • Equalizer APO Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-30
  • SoundSource Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-12

Equalizer APO features and specs

  • Highly Customizable
    Equalizer APO offers a high level of customization, including support for multiple channels, various filters, and virtually unlimited number of filters. This allows for precise audio control and personalization.
  • Open Source and Free
    Being open-source and free, Equalizer APO provides a cost-effective solution for users needing an audio equalizer without the need for a commercial license.
  • Low System Resource Usage
    Equalizer APO is designed for low-latency processing and minimal CPU usage, making it suitable for running on a variety of system configurations without impacting system performance.
  • Wide Compatibility
    It is compatible with all major Windows versions, and supports various audio formats and devices, making it a versatile choice for many users.
  • Integration with VST Plugins
    The software supports integration with VST plugins, enabling advanced audio tuning and additional sound effects.

Possible disadvantages of Equalizer APO

  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration can be complex for users who are not familiar with audio processing or equalizers. There is a steeper learning curve compared to some other audio equalizers.
  • No Native GUI
    Equalizer APO does not come with a native graphical user interface (GUI) by default. Users may need to use third-party software like Peace Equalizer for a more user-friendly interface.
  • Windows Only
    It is only available for Windows platforms, which limits its usage for those using other operating systems such as macOS or Linux.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    There can be compatibility issues with certain sound cards and audio drivers, which may require additional tweaking or may not work at all.
  • Limited Support and Documentation
    While there is a community around Equalizer APO, the official support and documentation can be lacking, making troubleshooting and advanced configuration challenging without sufficient technical knowledge.

SoundSource features and specs

  • Comprehensive Audio Control
    SoundSource offers detailed control over audio inputs, outputs, and effects, allowing users to finely tune their sound settings for various applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible even to those who are not tech-savvy.
  • Application-Specific Settings
    Users can apply unique audio settings and effects to individual applications, providing flexibility and customization.
  • Advanced Audio Effects
    Includes built-in audio effects such as EQ, volume boosting, and more, enriching the listening experience.
  • Menu Bar Access
    SoundSource exists as a menu bar app, providing quick and convenient access to audio settings without needing to open a full application.
  • High-Quality Audio
    SoundSource maintains audio quality, providing clear and distortion-free sound even after adjustments.

Possible disadvantages of SoundSource

  • Price
    SoundSource is a paid application, which can be a drawback for users looking for free solutions.
  • macOS Only
    The software is available exclusively for macOS, limiting its accessibility for Windows and Linux users.
  • Performance Overhead
    Some users may experience a slight performance overhead, especially on older machines, due to the processing power required for real-time audio adjustments.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there can be a learning curve for new users to take full advantage of all features and settings.
  • Limited Trial Period
    The application offers a limited trial period, which may not be sufficient for some users to thoroughly evaluate all features before purchasing.

Equalizer APO videos

Equalizer APO Overview/Tutorial Feat. Boosting a USB Microphone

More videos:

  • Review - Equalizer APO Preamp and Effects

SoundSource videos

Using Rogue Amoeba's SoundSource to Control Audio on Your Mac - SoundSource Review

More videos:

  • Review - SoundSource Review for OS X

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Equalizer APO and SoundSource)
Audio & Music
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Audio
87 87%
13% 13
Sound Equalizers
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Equalizer APO and SoundSource

Equalizer APO Reviews

Best FxSound Enhancer Alternatives (2023)
Microsoft Windows users can use Equalizer APO, a free graphic equalizer. You may get Jonas Thedering’s Equalizer APO for nothing. Equalizer APO is highly user-friendly and offers a ton of great features. You don’t need to worry about how much CPU is being used because Equalizer APO is very small and consumes very little system resources. This site has nothing to do with the...
Top 8 Alternatives to Soundpimp – Elevate Your Audio Experience
Equalizer APO is a free open-source audio enhancement software for Windows operating system. It offers a graphical user interface for adjusting the audio EQ settings, along with advanced features such as room correction and channel routing. Equalizer APO supports various audio formats and works with most audio players.
Top 11 Best Free Audio Sound Equalizer For Windows 10
The first program on our list of the best audio equalizer for Windows 10 and other OS is the Equalizer APO. What brought Equalizer APO to the top of our list is that the program is compatible with multiple channels. You’ll get more information about the product from the features, pros, and cons provided below.
11 Best Free Audio Sound Equalizer For Windows 10 In 2021
Loaded with several customization options, Equalizer APO is our first pick in the category of audio equalizer tool for windows 10. It operates as an Audio Processing Object.
8 Best Audio Sound Equalizers for Windows 10
Equalizer APO is a parametric/graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure introduced with Windows Vista. It’s our first Open Source entry. The strong footprint in the community makes it the best and easiest choice. The UI may seem too plain and all the options can overwhelm a new user, but you can...

SoundSource Reviews

We have no reviews of SoundSource yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Equalizer APO should be more popular than SoundSource. It has been mentiond 264 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Equalizer APO mentions (264)

  • GPD Pocket 4 Speaker DSP: Configuring PipeWire so laptop speakers sound better
    Under windows https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ >Equalizer APO can be used in conjunction with Room EQ Wizard (http://www.roomeqwizard.com/), because it can read its filter text file format. - Source: Hacker News / 26 days ago
  • Capitalize on your PC audio setup
    Equalizer APO- https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Microphone EXTREMELY quiet on new pc only.
    Https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ download this, open editor app, click ur mic, turn up knob top left. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Accessibility help: reduce volume of high frequency
    Have a look at https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ and its interface https://sourceforge.net/p/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/wiki/Home/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is there a way to change ALL computer audio (on Windows 11 Home Edition) to reduce bass tones, increase treble, et cetera?
    Equalizer APO with the Peace interface. Equalizer APO has to be installed first. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

SoundSource mentions (126)

  • Show HN: A macOS app to prevent sound quality degradation on AirPods
    Do I need this if I already use something like SoundSource[1] to manually set the input source that's not the AirPods microphone? [1] https://rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • 5 years ago Valve released Proton forever changing Linux gaming
    This is hilariously biased. This is HN, you're not talking to people who don't know what Linux is. Hell, a huge portion of us are linux engineers of various sorts. You're also in a thread literally about a linux app. Anyway. I would never, ever use Linux as a desktop environment over OSX after the experiences I've had with it over the last 20+ years. OSX GUI applications absolutely blow everything that Linux has... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Best EQ for Mac 2023
    Https://rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/ (this has parametric EQ but it's a bit buried IIRC. It also has built-in support for AutoEQ according to this page so you might have to do almost nothing if you like the Harman curve). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Detailed audio device control?
    I've looked at https://rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/ and the features it has seems okay such as per-app volume levels. But I'd like it so when I connect a certain pair of headphones, then a pre-defined output and input device is set. So for Headphone A, the output might be set to this pair but the mic will be the build-in mic in my Macbook. And for Headphone B, both the output and input should be set to this... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • MUTE A SPECIFIC APP
    Https://rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/ or https://github.com/kyleneideck/BackgroundMusic. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Equalizer APO and SoundSource, you can also consider the following products

Peace Equalizer - Download Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO for free.

Sound Control - App-specific volume control

FxSound - Clearer Sound for Your PC. The new FxSound boosts your sound quality, volume, clarity and bass.

EarTrumpet - Volume Control for Windows

Boom 3D - Audio enhancer with 3D surround sound

Volume2 - Volume2 is an advanced Windows audio mixer, a complete replacement for the standard Volume Control.