There are two equalizers that I need to have and I have no experience with eq on mobile devices so I am just going to ask you guys. First off my uncle needs an equalizer that can control individual channels (because of hearing loss in one ear) and also tweak audio in a decent quality (obviously) and also he has an Android btw. For me I just want to experiment with the best equalizer on an iPhone and i don’t need the multichannel thing because, well, I’m young lol. Thanks guys!
On iPhone, I use Equalizer. It can play music from your local Apple Music files (no DRM-protected stuff or streaming though). On Android, I use USB Audio Player Pro with the Toneboosters EQ plugin. I just checked, and it does let you apply different EQ to left and right channels. Specifically, it has 6 parametric EQ control points, and each point can be assigned either to all channels, or just the left or right channel.
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Just got REW and it is dope!
No clue they had a beta for mac!
Edit: After about an hour, I have come to the same conclusion. Eq is the devil.
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I finally got a chance to try this last night. Very informative guide for multiple reasons:
- Importing FR curves, including AutoEQ data
- Importing target FR curves
- And of course EQ
Thanks!
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For those of you who use an equalizer, what brand and model do you have?
Equalizer APO
It is a software equalizer. Done in the digital domain to maintain as much quality of the original files as possible.
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Schiit Loki. I mainly use it for correcting poorly produced music (i.e., taking out the misguided EQ adjustments made in the studio). Once in a while I use it with quirky or bad headphones or IEMs, but I generally get rid of those.
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Mac software:
SoundSource hosting DMGAudio EQuick
Roon
Hardware/Portable:
I have the FiiO BTR5. It has both 2.5mm balanced, and unbalanced 3.5mm.
It’s app has a good EQ.
Like @generic, I use a Schiit Loki - the 4 tone controls do the job.
In some situations, I use ROON, like @AudioTool
With specific IEMs, I use the included software - Audeze LCDi3 with Cipher Cable on iOS and with my Ultimate Ears Fits, I use their EQ which is similar to ROON’s setup. The Audeze software is a bit more like a digital version of a graphic equalizer - I haven’t seen a setting for Q.
One app I have used for many years on my iPhones is Equalizer Pro it has a very good equalization section.
I’ve been experimenting with crossfeed through the Roon DSP Engine. It’s mostly for classical as it really sounds like the orchestra is split to the far left and far right to me. Since Roon gives me the option, I’m wondering if I should apply the Parametric EQ filter before or after the Crossfeed filter. I would think it doesn’t make any difference but maybe someone here might know better. The Crossfeed filter in Roon has Cut frequency (default 700Hz) and Feed level (default 4.5dB) adjustments if that makes any difference in the answer.
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Also anyone who regularly uses crossfeed please post your favorite crossfeed implementations (hardware or software) and settings. So far I like the Roon implementation the best but haven’t really settled on what settings are optimal.
I would think you would apply your desired eq first. The idea being that crossfeed is changing the presentation of your desired sonics, rather than eq’ing a modified presentation.
But, whatever you like best is what should rule the day!
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Yeah that was my first thought as well, but I changed my answer to “doesn’t matter” considering that crossfeed (at least in Roon) isn’t modifying the FR, except the cut off at 700hz but that shouldn’t matter. Either order sounds the same to me but I haven’t done a lot of critical listening. I’m hoping to avoid that type of A/B evaluation to be honest. 
I’d think if I was using something like Waves NX that tries to simulate my HRTF including head tracking then applying my preference EQ before the NX DSP would be the appropriate order, though.
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i got a question regarding EQ via Audio Units / VST:
so far, i’ve been only using the native Apple AUNBandEQ built into macOS. it’s a very simple parametric EQ. i only use this for adding a bass shelf.
today i tried a different AU called TDR Nova - it’s free and kinda recommended in the web. so i’m listening now through this AU with the exact same setting and i feel it sounds better - like the native AUNBandEQ was degrading SQ. is that my imagination or could this be possible? i switched it off and on while playing and compared it fast against the standard one.
is SQ difference possible with different plug-in’s - even they have been set to the same parameters? besides more features, what’s the point of paid versions if u can have free ones with the basic functions if they sound the same? but my current feeling is: they don’t (sound the same)
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Yes, absolutely.
There are many potential reasons for differences (measurable as well as audible), including the precision of the math involved, the specific implementation of the processing, what type of filter model is applied (IIR vs. FIR … which directly affects latency among other things), phase behavior (also a potential filtering effect) and even whether the thing implements those things correctly.
There wouldn’t be any … if you didn’t need those additional features.
Lots of people do need those features, however (most EQ tools weren’t created just to let headphones listeners fiddle with their systems tonality).
And even for those that don’t, all such plug-ins make different trade-offs in their implementations. One plug-in might use IIR instead of FIR (typical when latency is concern, but the trade-off is phase/group delay issues). Another might use FIR with a minimum-phase approach, which addresses FIR’s typical latency issue, but changes the nature of the filter (e.g. different pre/post ringing behavior).
The best such tools are fully configurable - and those aren’t free.
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In addition t what Torq has said I would remind you that these things are programs, like web browsers.
You wouldn’t say that all web browsers are the same just because they call themselves web browsers.
One browser may not display a page properly, another might have trouble playing a video.
A program is just a program and no two are exactly alike.
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thank you @Torq
first, i’m glad that i’am not crazy 
and second, your explanation makes absolute sense. your example too @NickZ
since i’m not even close to being advanced or knowledgeable as you, i appreciate your response very much!
can you recommend any plug-ins? i’m only interested to implement a bass shelf (so far) - because im very happy with the current sound. but i’m also relatively new to this, so…
just in case, if it’s relevant, here is my current system:
MacBook Pro → Qobuz over Audirvana Studio (upsampling to DSD 512 with r8brain) → UPNP to Raspberry Pi 4 (+LPS) → Soncoz LA-QXD1 (+LPS) → Cavalli Liquid Platinum (JJ gold) → HiFiMAN Arya (V2)