# A Boom 3D alternative for Mac

By Sheik Ahamed, who makes Earmix. Checked on 5 November 2026.

<strong>Short answer:</strong> Boom 3D is built for bigger sound: boost, 3D surround, EQ presets and internet radio. If what you really want is control over each app, such as quieter music during calls, a different output per app or volume per browser tab, a per-app mixer fits better. Earmix, which we make, is $12.99 at its early-bird price, and FineTune is a free option.

## What Boom 3D does

Boom 3D by Global Delight is a free download on the Mac App Store, with in-app purchases, and it's also on Setapp. It needs macOS 11 or later. Version 2.3.2 came out in September 2026.

It includes per-app volume, a volume boost, 10-band and 31-band EQ presets, presets for more than 5,000 headphone models, 3D surround sound, and more than 20,000 radio stations. There's also Boom Remote, an iPhone and iPad app to control it.

Its App Store listing says Boom 3D may not work while AirPlay or FaceTime is on.

## Why people look for an alternative

- **AirPlay and FaceTime.** If you play to a HomePod or Apple TV, or spend your day on FaceTime calls, the listing's own warning matters.
- **It's built around effects.** Surround and radio are the headline features. If you only want to turn Slack down and Spotify up, you're paying for things you won't use.
- **Pricing is through in-app purchases**, with two lifetime packs at different prices.

## Boom 3D alternatives at a glance

| | Price | Per-app volume | Per-app output | Lower music on calls | Record | Phone remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boom 3D | Free download; $19.99 or $49.99 packs | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Yes, Boom Remote |
| **Earmix** | $12.99 early bird ($49) | Yes, to 400% | Yes, incl. AirPlay | Yes | Yes | Yes, TestFlight beta |
| SoundSource | $49 | Yes, to 400% | Yes, incl. AirPlay | Not listed | No | Not listed |
| FineTune | Free | Yes, to 4x | Yes | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| SoundDial | $14.99 | Yes, to 200% | Yes | Yes | No | Not listed |

*From each app's website, checked November 2026. "Not listed" means the website doesn't mention it, not that the app can't do it. All names belong to their owners.*

## Where Boom 3D is better

- **3D surround and radio.** None of the mixers here list a surround effect or built-in radio stations.
- **Headphone presets.** 5,000+ models, against Earmix's 52.
- **31-band EQ presets**, where Earmix's per-app EQ is 10-band.
- **Several devices.** A licence covers up to four devices. An Earmix licence is one Mac at a time.
- **It runs on older macOS**, from macOS 11. Earmix needs 14.2.
- **Boom Remote** works on iPhone and iPad. Earmix for iPhone is still a TestFlight beta.

## Who should keep Boom 3D

If you like its surround effect and presets, listen to its radio, and don't rely on AirPlay or FaceTime while it runs, Boom 3D does what you want.

## What Earmix does instead

Earmix gives every app its own volume from 0 to 400%, with a limiter so loud boosts don't clip. Each app can have its own EQ, output and balance. Send Music to a HomePod over AirPlay and keep a call on your AirPods. See [how to use a different output for each app](https://earmix.app/different-output-per-app-mac.html).

While any app, FaceTime included, uses the microphone, other apps drop to 30% and come back when the call ends. Auto level keeps quiet videos and podcasts up and loud ads down. If your Mac is simply too quiet, see [how to make a Mac louder](https://earmix.app/mac-volume-too-low.html).

![Earmix's devices tab, with outputs and headphone EQ](https://earmix.app/img/devices-light-1x.png "Outputs, devices and headphone EQ in one tab.")

It also records any app or call (check consent laws before recording a call), gives each browser tab its own slider with the free Earmix Tabs extension, and has headphone correction for 52 popular models. See [headphone EQ on Mac](https://earmix.app/headphone-eq-mac.html). With Earmix for iPhone, the phone's volume buttons turn the Mac up and down.

## What they cost

Boom 3D is a free download with a 15-day trial. Its in-app purchases are a $19.99 "Lifetime Discount Pack" and a $49.99 "Lifetime Base Pack", and a licence covers up to four devices.

Earmix is $12.99 once at the early-bird price, regular price $49, for one Mac at a time. The 14-day trial has every feature, with no account or card, and there's a 14-day refund.

FineTune is free, SoundDial is $14.99 and SoundSource is $49.

## Moving from Boom 3D to Earmix

1. Quit Boom 3D.
2. Open System Settings › Sound and make sure Output is your speakers or headphones.
3. Open Earmix and allow **System Audio Recording**. Nothing is recorded unless you press Record.
4. Set each app's volume, EQ and output from the menu bar. Earmix keeps them for next time.
5. For a boost on everything, raise each app you use; Earmix's boost is per app, up to 400%.

## Questions

### Is Boom 3D free?

It's a free download with a 15-day trial. To keep using it you buy an in-app pack: $19.99 or $49.99.

### Does Boom 3D work with AirPlay?

Its App Store listing says it may not work while AirPlay or FaceTime is on. Earmix can send each app to an AirPlay speaker.

### Does Boom 3D have per-app volume?

Yes. Boom 3D lists per-app volume along with its boost, EQ and surround effects.

### What is a good alternative to Boom 3D for Mac?

For per-app control, Earmix, SoundSource, SoundDial or the free FineTune. For louder sound alone, all of them can boost an app past 100%.

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Earmix gives every Mac app and browser tab its own volume, output and EQ. Free for 14 days, then $12.99 once (early bird, regularly $49). https://earmix.app/