The SoundSource alternative for better sounding headphones.
TuningMac gives you the SoundSource essentials, a system-wide equalizer and per-app volume, plus a parametric EQ with AutoEQ import and noise control for your headphones. It costs $5 once, and every future version is included.
- One-time purchase
- No drivers
- macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later
TuningMac vs SoundSource at a glance
| Feature | TuningMac | SoundSource |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5 once | $49 once |
| Future major versions | Included, never pay again | Paid upgrades ($25 to version 6) |
| System-wide 10-band EQ | Included | Included |
| Parametric EQ | Up to 20 bands | Not listed |
| Import AutoEQ / Equalizer APO | Paste and apply in one click | Not listed |
| Per-app volume | Included | Included |
| Per-app EQ and effects | No, one EQ for all sound | 10-band EQ and Audio Units per app |
| Send each app to a different output | No | Included |
| Play on several outputs at once | Included, with Auto Sync beta | Grouped outputs, AirPlay 2 |
| Live spectrum analyzer | Included | Not listed |
| Music ducks during calls | Auto ducking | Not listed |
| AirPods, Sony & realme noise control | From the menu bar | Not listed |
| macOS support | macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later | macOS 15 or later (version 6.1.5) |
SoundSource details from rogueamoeba.com, October 2026. "Not listed" means Rogue Amoeba's site doesn't mention it.
Why people look for a SoundSource alternative
- Paying again for each major version. SoundSource 6 is a $25 upgrade for version 4 and 5 owners. TuningMac includes every future version in the one price.
- A newer macOS requirement. The current SoundSource lists macOS 15 or later. TuningMac runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later.
- Only 10 EQ bands. SoundSource's built-in equalizer has 10 bands. TuningMac adds a 20-band parametric EQ that takes AutoEQ headphone corrections directly.
What TuningMac adds
- AutoEQ import: paste a measured correction curve and your headphones are tuned in one click, or copy one from our headphone EQ settings.
- Noise control: switch noise cancelling and transparency on AirPods, Sony and realme headphones from the menu bar.
- Auto ducking: your music gets quieter while you talk on Zoom, Meet, Teams or FaceTime, then comes back.
- Live spectrum: see your sound across 32 bands with your EQ curve drawn on top.
- Auto Sync beta: lines up speakers playing together so they don't echo.
When SoundSource is the better pick
SoundSource is an excellent app from Rogue Amoeba, and it goes further on routing. Choose it if you want a separate EQ or Audio Unit plugins on each app, to send each app to a different output, or to stream to AirPlay 2 speakers like HomePod and Sonos.
If what you want is great sounding headphones, one equalizer for everything and a volume for every app, TuningMac does that for less. Try it free for 7 days.
Set it up in a minute
- 1
Quit SoundSource
Quit it so its effects stop, and you don't get two equalizers stacked.
- 2
Download TuningMac
Get it from tuningmac.com and drag it to Applications. It runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later.
- 3
Pick a preset
Allow audio access once, then choose a preset or paste your AutoEQ curve into Advanced EQ.
Questions
What is the best alternative to SoundSource?+
If you mainly want a system-wide equalizer and per-app volume, TuningMac. It costs $5 once with every future version included, adds a 20-band parametric EQ with AutoEQ import, a live spectrum, auto ducking for calls and noise control for AirPods and Sony headphones, and runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma or later. If you need a different EQ or Audio Unit plugins on each app, SoundSource is still the stronger tool.
How much does SoundSource cost?+
SoundSource is $49 for a single user on their own Macs, according to Rogue Amoeba's store. Owners of SoundSource 4 or 5 can upgrade to version 6 for $25.
Does SoundSource work on macOS Sonoma?+
The current version, SoundSource 6.1.5, lists macOS 15 to 27. TuningMac runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma and later, so it works on Sonoma.
Can TuningMac do per-app EQ like SoundSource?+
No. TuningMac has per-app volume, but one equalizer that applies to all sound, with separate EQ settings saved for each output device. If you need a different EQ on Spotify than on Zoom, SoundSource does that.
Is there a free alternative to SoundSource?+
eqMac has a free tier with a system-wide 10-band equalizer, though its per-app volume needs eqMac Pro. TuningMac is paid, with a 7-day free trial where every feature works.
How do I switch from SoundSource to TuningMac?+
Quit SoundSource so its effects stop, then open TuningMac, allow audio access once and pick a preset. Running both with an equalizer on would apply two EQ curves on top of each other.
Everything TuningMac does
Multi-output, noise control, live spectrum and more, in one menu bar app.
See all features