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EqLume

EqLume is a system-wide equalizer for macOS that detects the genre of the current track and applies a matching preset automatically.

Place
#11 of 22
Score
6.0
EqLume's website

What EqLume is

EqLume is a system-wide equalizer for macOS that detects the genre of the current track and applies a matching preset automatically. It captures system audio with a Core Audio process tap, without using a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. The menu bar app includes 21 genre presets, such as hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical and ambient, plus a live spectrum analyzer and a rendered EQ response curve. EqLume reads track information from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music and supported browsers, and has transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. Genre selection can use MusicBrainz, Apple’s iTunes Search API or an optional on-device CoreML classifier; pop is the fallback preset. Audio is processed in memory rather than recorded to disk, uploaded or shared. Track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for genre and artwork lookup. EqLume is free, but it requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac. The Mac App Store build omits the optional classifier model.

Good

  • Includes 21 genre presets.
  • Applies EQ without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension.
  • Audio is processed in memory, not recorded or uploaded.
  • Supports track information from Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music.

Watch out

  • Requires macOS 26.0 or later.
  • Requires an Apple silicon Mac.
  • Built-in speakers are left unprocessed.
  • The Mac App Store build omits the optional classifier.

Who it suits

EqLume may suit Apple silicon Mac users on macOS 26.0 or later who want automatic genre-based equalization. It is also relevant to listeners using Spotify, YouTube Music or Apple Music, though the built-in speakers remain unprocessed.

Verdict

EqLume offers automatic genre-based EQ and music-player metadata on supported Macs. Check the macOS and hardware requirements, and note that built-in speakers are not processed.

Plans and prices

From EqLume's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeFree Mac app
Mac App StoreFreemacOS 26.0+ · Apple silicon Mac

The facts

Each one read from EqLume's own pages, with the date it was checked.

Where it runs

App Store limitation
The Mac App Store build omits the optional audio classifier model, while catalog-based automatic presets remain available.checked 3 Oct 2026

What it does

Audio processing
It captures system audio through a Core Audio process tap and applies EQ without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension.checked 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
Presets
It includes 21 genre presets, including hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical, and ambient.checked 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.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
Requirements
EqLume requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac.checked 3 Oct 2026
Spotify credentials
Spotify integration is optional, and its access and refresh tokens are stored in the macOS Keychain.checked 3 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs privacy questions and requests to its public GitHub issues page.checked 3 Oct 2026
Visualizations
The menu bar app includes a live spectrum analyzer and a rendered EQ response curve.checked 3 Oct 2026

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