Comparison
A one-screen Mac sound enhancer
SoundSource is a professional audio routing tool with per-app controls and plug-in support, priced at $49. Earwave is narrower on purpose: one screen with a 31-band EQ, 812 measured headphone profiles, stereo width and room ambience.
SoundSource routes audio between apps and devices. Earwave does one job: make the sound you already play better. If you need routing, keep SoundSource.
SoundSource and Earwave, side by side
| What matters | SoundSource | Earwave |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Audio routing and control | Sound enhancement |
| EQ bands | 10 | 31 |
| Headphone profiles | Included | 812 measured, remembered per device |
| Per-app routing | Yes | No |
| Audio Unit plug-ins | Yes | No |
| Price | $49 one-time | One purchase, no subscription |
Competitor details come from their public pricing and documentation, checked September 2026. If something is out of date, tell us.
Which one fits
Pick Earwave if
- You want a simple EQ and headphone correction for listening.
- You want one window instead of a routing console.
Keep SoundSource if
- You route audio between specific apps and devices.
- You depend on Audio Unit plug-ins or per-app meters.
SoundSource vs Earwave FAQ
Is Earwave a replacement for SoundSource?
Only if you use SoundSource mainly for EQ. Earwave does 31-band EQ, headphone correction, stereo width and room ambience. It does not route audio between apps, so keep SoundSource for that.
Does Earwave remember different headphones per output?
Yes. It stores a separate profile for each output, so earbuds, over-ears and speakers keep their own settings.
Is there a subscription?
No. One purchase, and the version you buy keeps working.
Hear it for yourself.
Two minutes to set up. One file to remove.
Get a license keyPaid software · macOS 15+