Boom2: Volume Boost and Equalizer For Mac

An audiophile can never have too much control over what’s coming out of their speakers or headphones, and most operating systems are quite limited in this regard. Of course, third-party apps are always there to fill the gap.

Boom 2 gives Mac users more control and more features that they can use to customize audio output. It comes with a system-wide equalizer and volume booster, the ability to apply sound effects, and a tool for boosting the volume of audio files.

The app installs virtual audio input and output devices when first run, which allow it to process all sound being produced by your Mac. One downside to this method is that, while the app is running, the menu bar microphone indicator will be on, since macOS detects the virtual input device as an active microphone.

While most audio players, including Apple’s Music, come with equalizers, the one provided by Boom 2 works across all applications. If you’re trying to tweak music playing in a browser, for instance, this app lets you do that. A bunch of presets are available, and you can customize individual frequencies and create presets of your own.

Depending on what output device you’re using, your Mac might not be capable of driving it without an amplifier. This means that even at maximum volume, your music will be much too quiet.

Boom 2 can increase system volume beyond normal limits, and you can process audio files to boost their volume directly as well. While the developer claims that it does so without distortion, and it certainly wasn’t noticeable for us, software volume boosting is generally going to have at least some effect on audio quality, even if it’s difficult to tell.

If you want to switch things up, you can apply effects that make everything sound different in various ways, and even directly adjust the pitch of your music.

Sample rate adjustment is a very useful feature, since macOS has problems with the system sample rate not being modified to match the audio being played.

Overall, Boom 2 provides audiophiles with quite a few tools that can help enhance their Mac’s audio output. As long as you don’t go overboard with your boosting and equalizer settings, you can get better sounding music and even help your Mac drive audio output devices without an amplifier.