EQK icon

EQK

EQK is a Mac equalizer that analyzes playback locally, remembers song- and app-specific tuning, and keeps the data on your Mac. It is designed for people who want per-app audio control with headphone correction and a lighter manual EQ workflow.

EQK

Overview

EQK 3.0 is a Mac equalizer built around on-device, song-aware tuning. It analyzes playback locally, remembers what works per song and per app, and keeps the resulting data on the Mac rather than sending listening information away.

The product is aimed at people who want more control over music playback without having to work through a traditional, technical equalizer workflow first. EQK combines per-app routing, local song memory, headphone correction, and a manual EQ desk so users can compare, adjust, and revisit tuned audio in one place.

Core features

On-device AI tune

EQK analyzes playback on the Mac itself, adjusts tone as the song plays, and stores the learned result locally instead of sending audio to the cloud.

Local song and app memory

The app remembers song-specific and app-specific EQ data so a later play can start from a learned profile rather than a blank slate.

Per-app routing and saved routes

Routes can be tied to a source app, output device, correction profile, activity mode, EQ settings, and playback state, which makes each route act like its own desk channel.

Optimizer for cleanup and stability

EQK includes a built-in optimizer that checks for broken song profiles, incompatible layouts, and leftover app-created data, then clears it on demand or on a schedule.

Bundled headphone correction library

The manual describes a bundled library of 3,985 headphone correction profiles, separate from custom EQ or community imports.

Community preset imports

EQK supports importing AutoEQ or EqualizerAPO parametric .txt files as editable saved presets, while keeping vetted correction profiles distinct from community files.

Common use cases

  • Tune a music app per app and per song

    Route a music player such as Apple Music, Spotify, TIDAL, or another supported app through EQK, then let AI Tune learn how that track should sound on repeat plays.

  • Play local files with the built-in player

    Use the local player for FLAC, ALAC, WAV, or MP3 files when you want EQK's tuning workflow without enabling app capture permissions.

  • Apply headphone correction and shape the sound separately

    Load a bundled correction profile or import a vetted-equivalent preset, then keep headphone correction separate from creative EQ so you can adjust tone without changing the correction layer.

  • Keep different media apps on separate routes

    Set up routes for video, podcast, or local-player apps so playback stays isolated by app and remembers output device, EQ, and activity mode.

  • Clean up older song memories and saved layouts

    Run the optimizer when song memory or saved layouts seem inconsistent, or when you want EQK to clear leftover data from older versions.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Processes audio locally and keeps routes, tuning, and song memory on the Mac.
  • Supports both a Mac App Store version and a notarized direct download.
  • Learns song-specific EQ over time so repeat listening can start from a remembered profile.
  • Includes an optimizer to clean up broken or leftover app-created data.
  • Provides a bundled headphone correction library plus editable custom imports.

Cons

  • Normal browser tabs are not supported as isolated routes because macOS exposes mixed browser audio rather than one stream per tab.
  • The product depends on macOS 14.6 or later, so it is not available on older system versions.
  • Some songs may appear over-EQ'd according to the release notes, which suggests the AI output still benefits from manual review.

FAQ

What does EQK require to run?

EQK is designed for macOS 14.6 and later. The guide says it is available through the Mac App Store or as a notarized direct download, and both Intel and Apple silicon Macs are supported.

Does EQK need audio capture permission?

For app routing, EQK asks for System Audio Recording permission so it can process the selected app's audio. The local player can play FLAC, ALAC, WAV, and MP3 files without that permission.

Which apps can EQK route?

EQK supports dedicated music, video, podcast, and local-player apps that macOS can expose as their own isolated audio sources. Normal browser tabs are excluded; a site saved as its own app may appear separately, depending on the browser.

How does EQK handle tuning and correction?

EQK's AI Tune analyzes playback locally and saves song memory and route settings on your Mac. It also supports headphone correction profiles, but correction and creative EQ are kept as separate layers.

What is the pricing model for EQK?

The source describes a 14-day free trial build, a one-time purchase, and an App Store version for ongoing use. It also notes that direct-site purchasers can switch to the App Store version and keep using the app, with license recovery handled through support.

Quick Facts

Category
Audio
Platform
Mac
Supported system
macOS 14.6+
Distribution
Mac App Store and notarized direct download
Primary workflow
Per-app equalizing with local song memory and headphone correction
Domain
kuja.dev

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