Is there an equalizer for windows that works regardles of audio/video player

Question

I'm tired of having to tweak the audio on every media application I have installed.

Is there an app that will sit between any media application and my sound-card so that I can set audio levels and equalizer settings once and for all?

Answer 1

I just discovered the Equalizer APO project. It takes a fair amount of work to set up, but it's infinitely more customizable than Breakaway (and it's free).

http://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

As detailed in the docs, you can generate filters using Room EQ Wizard.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

Then you can of course tweak and add more filters to your heart's content.

Answer 2

I know an answer has already been accepted but I recently discovered Breakaway Audio Enhancer which is just amazing.

Breakaway Audio Enhancer dramatically improves the quality of the listening experience by digitally remastering audio in real-time with the same technology used by the pros in the music and broadcast business. Any media player playlist can sound like a professionally produced CD with automatic adjustment of volume dynamics and spectral balancing.

Breakaway Audio Enhancer incorporates state-of-the-art 4, 5, 6, or 7 band dynamics processor (depending on selected preset) that examines and adjusts the audio thousands of times a second. Low levels are intelligently raised and loud signals are kept under control, all in real-time. Anything playing in the media player or web browser, including MP3s, Video, Internet radio, or CDs will be digitally remastered for consistent volume level and spectral balance. Files are not scanned or modified. All the audio processing takes place in real-time while the audio is sent to your speakers or headphones.

With Breakaway Audio Enhancer there is no longer a need to purchase separate audio enhancement plug-ins for each of your media players. Breakaway Audio Enhancer will enhance the audio for all Windows audio & video players. It provides audio processing for the complete computer system.

Answer 3

Some sound cards will install a software equalizer as a part of the driver package for that particular sound card. The Realtek audio driver automatically installs a control panel (rthdcpl.exe) with equalizer.

Answer 4

The Free DFX, while not a true equalizer, allows for source-independent sound adjustment that probably satisfies most people. (How many have proper speakers, the ear and will bother to adjust the equalizer per song/album?)