How to apply EQ system-wide on Mac
updated September 28, 2026
To EQ all audio on a Mac, you need an app or device that sits in the playback path, because macOS has no built-in system-wide parametric EQ. The practical options are an AU host such as SoundSource or eqMac with a parametric EQ plug-in, a measured correction app such as Reflect, SoundID Reference or Dirac Live Processor, or a hardware DSP. The Apple Music EQ only affects Apple Music, not browsers, games, or other players.
For room EQ, Reflect is the simplest measured option: it measures a stereo setup, creates conservative bass filters, and applies them through CoreAudio. The tradeoff is scope: Reflect does less than a full studio calibration suite. It does not provide full-range correction, headphone calibration, or multichannel profiles. For what room EQ can and cannot fix, see the room correction guide.
Ways to apply EQ across all Mac audio
| Approach | How it works | Good for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflect | Native macOS app using CoreAudio Process Taps | Measured stereo bass correction | Focused on 20 to 200 Hz |
| SoundID Reference | Standalone system-wide app and DAW plug-in | Full-range speakers, headphones, and studio work | More setup and a broader license |
| Dirac Live Processor | Virtual processor plus supported plug-in formats | Full-range and advanced correction | External mic and a more involved workflow |
| ARC X / ARC Studio | DAW plug-in or hardware processor | Studio-monitor correction | Software plug-in or dedicated hardware signal path |
| AU host plus EQ plug-in | Routes system output through an Audio Unit | Manual EQ and REW filter experiments | You assemble and maintain the chain |
| Hardware DSP | Processes audio between the interface and speakers | Reliable monitoring independent of the Mac | Additional hardware and cabling |
Option 1: use measured correction with Reflect
Reflect is built for a small, clear workflow. It measures from your listening position, shows the biggest bass changes, and generates conservative cut-only filters between 20 and 200 Hz. It applies those filters system-wide through CoreAudio, so the same correction can cover music, video, browsers, and games.
You can start with the Mac microphone or use a calibrated USB microphone. If you already measured in REW, Reflect can import a Generic filter export. See the REW filter guide for the complete workflow.
Option 2: use a full-range calibration app
SoundID Reference provides a standalone system-wide app and a DAW plug-in for speaker and headphone calibration. Dirac Live Processor runs on macOS as a virtual processor and supports a broader room-correction workflow, including full-range correction.
These tools make sense when you need full-range studio monitoring, headphone profiles, more channels, or advanced correction features. They also need more setup than a focused desktop-bass correction tool. That extra setup buys you a wider correction scope. Reflect is simpler because it deliberately stops earlier.
Option 3: route audio through an EQ plug-in
An AU host can receive the Mac output and pass it through a parametric EQ plug-in. This gives you direct control and can work well with REW filters. The cost is the routing work: you must choose the correct output, configure the plug-in, and maintain the chain when devices or sample rates change.
Where ARC fits
IK Multimedia's ARC X software is a correction plug-in for studio-monitor workflows. ARC Studio adds hardware that processes the monitor signal. ARC X software-only is not a generic system-wide Mac EQ, so it belongs in the plug-in or hardware category rather than the native system-wide app category.
Option 4: use hardware DSP
A hardware DSP device can apply EQ after the Mac output and before the speakers. This works for every source connected to that device and can avoid software routing problems. It also means buying, wiring, and configuring another piece of audio hardware.
How to choose
Use this Equalizer APO comparison if you are looking for a Windows-style parametric EQ workflow. Use the room correction comparison if you are choosing between REW, Sonarworks, Dirac, ARC, and Reflect.
For a stereo desk setup, measure first and cut the peaks you can verify. Do not boost deep nulls. If you need full-range studio or headphone calibration, choose a tool that is built for that scope.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply EQ system-wide on Mac?
Use a system-wide audio app, a virtual audio device, a plug-in host that processes the Mac output, or an external hardware DSP device. Reflect is the simplest native Mac option for measured stereo bass correction. SoundID Reference and Dirac Live Processor are broader alternatives with more configuration.
Can I use REW filters for all Mac audio?
Yes, but REW does not apply them by itself. Export the filters and load them into a system-wide EQ app, an AU host, a virtual audio chain, a hardware DSP device, or Reflect.
Does macOS include a system-wide parametric EQ?
No. macOS does not provide a general system-wide parametric EQ for every app. An app such as Apple Music can have its own EQ, but that does not process browsers, games, or other audio sources.