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EqLume
What it is
EqLume is a free, system-wide equalizer for macOS that detects a track’s genre and selects a matching EQ preset. It captures system audio using a Core Audio process tap, without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. The menu bar app includes 21 genre presets, a live spectrum analyzer, and an EQ response curve. It reads now-playing details from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and supported browsers, with transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Genre selection can use MusicBrainz, Apple’s iTunes Search API, and an optional on-device CoreML classifier; pop is the fallback preset. Audio is processed in memory and is not recorded to disk, uploaded, or shared, although track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for genre and artwork lookup. EqLume requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac. The Mac App Store build omits the optional classifier model, while catalog-based automatic presets remain available.
For and against
For
- Free Mac app with 21 genre presets.
- Applies EQ system-wide without a virtual audio driver.
- Includes a live spectrum analyzer and EQ curve.
- Audio is not recorded, uploaded, or shared.
Against
- Requires macOS 26.0 or later.
- Requires an Apple silicon Mac.
- Built-in speakers are left unprocessed.
- App Store version omits the optional classifier model.
The verdict
EqLume offers automatic genre-based EQ and several player integrations at no cost. Its Mac-only hardware and OS requirements, plus the unprocessed built-in speakers, are important limits to weigh.
Who it suits
EqLume suits Apple silicon Mac users on macOS 26.0 or later who want genre-based system audio EQ. It may also suit listeners who want a menu bar analyzer and supported player controls.
Plans and prices
Free
Free Mac app
Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mac App Store
macOS 26.0+ · Apple silicon Mac
Read 3 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
On the record
- App Store limitation
- The Mac App Store build omits the optional audio classifier model, while catalog-based automatic presets remain available.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Audio processing
- It captures system audio through a Core Audio process tap and applies EQ without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Genre sources
- Automatic genre selection uses MusicBrainz, the iTunes Search API, and an optional on-device CoreML classifier, with pop as the fallback preset.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- License
- The app source code is MIT-licensed, while the bundled Discogs-EffNet model is CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 and imposes non-commercial share-alike terms on distributions that include it.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Metadata handling
- Track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for genre and artwork lookup; the developer says it does not operate an analytics or tracking server.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Output support
- The built-in 3.5 mm headphone output uses the tuned correction, other outputs can be enabled per device in settings, and built-in speakers are left unprocessed.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Player integrations
- It reads now-playing information from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and supported browsers, with transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Presets
- It includes 21 genre presets, including hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical, and ambient.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Audio is processed in memory on the Mac and is not recorded to disk, uploaded, or shared with the developer or third parties.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- EqLume is a system-wide macOS equalizer that detects the genre of the current track and automatically applies a matching EQ preset.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- EqLume requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac.apps.apple.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Spotify credentials
- Spotify integration is optional, and its access and refresh tokens are stored in the macOS Keychain.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs privacy questions and requests to its public GitHub issues page.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Visualizations
- The menu bar app includes a live spectrum analyzer and a rendered EQ response curve.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
