SteelSeries Sonar vs EQBase

SSSteelSeries Sonar7.3Visit EQBase6.9Visit

Higher score SS SteelSeries Sonar #4 in Audio Equalizer Software 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SteelSeries

vs

EQBase #8 in Audio Equalizer Software 6.9/10 Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit EQBase

• SteelSeries Sonar fits best

  Windows gamers and streamers

• EQBase fits best

  Mac users wanting room correction and recording

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Side by side

Feature	SSSteelSeries Sonar 7.3/10 Visit ↗	EQBase 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.3	6.9
Ranking	#4 in Audio Equalizer Software	#8 in Audio Equalizer Software
Best for	Windows gamers and streamers	Mac users wanting room correction and recording
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	$4.99/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	macOS
Features SteelSeries Sonar 0/4 · EQBase 4/4
System-wide control	Not published	✓ (best)
Per-app controls	Not published	✓ (best)
Parametric EQ	Not published	✓ (best)
Device profiles	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Desktop operating systems	Not published	Macos
EQ band count	Not published	24 bands
Our review
Pros	Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit	Free system-wide 10-band EQ with headphone correction profiles Pro adds room correction, routing, recording and per-app controls Supports macOS on Apple silicon and Intel without a normal driver install
Cons	Available only on Windows Distributed through SteelSeries GG Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers	Available only for macOS 14.4 or later Parametric EQ and advanced mixing features require Pro Audiophile mode and Pro routing use a user-space Core Audio driver
Our verdict	SteelSeries Sonar is Windows audio software for gamers and streamers who need more than a basic equalizer. It combines a parametric equalizer with up to 10 bands, 360° spatial audio, ClearCast AI noise cancellation, microphone processing,… Read the review →	EQBase is a macOS desktop application for applying equalization across system audio and individual applications. It suits Mac users who want to adjust headphones, speakers, rooms or app audio from one place, with recording and preset… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• SteelSeries Sonar — where it wins

  • Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation
  • Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams
  • Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Windows
  • Distributed through SteelSeries GG
  • Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers

• EQBase — where it wins

  • Free system-wide 10-band EQ with headphone correction profiles
  • Pro adds room correction, routing, recording and per-app controls
  • Supports macOS on Apple silicon and Intel without a normal driver install

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS 14.4 or later
  • Parametric EQ and advanced mixing features require Pro
  • Audiophile mode and Pro routing use a user-space Core Audio driver

• SSSteelSeries Sonar7.3/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows audio suite with EQ, routing, spatial audio, and AI noise cancellation.

  Visit SteelSeriesFull verdict →
• EQBase6.9/10 · Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo

  A capable Mac audio correction tool with a useful free tier and deep Pro controls.

  Visit EQBaseFull verdict →