Whether you listen to music, watch movies, or play games on your computer, optimal sound quality is essential for a good listening experience. You can change numerous settings in streaming apps and on your Mac, but for advanced configuration, consider tools like Boom3D.
In this review, I’ll outline whether you really need an equalizer tool like this and if it’s worth the price. You’ll also learn about the app’s most essential features and how much it costs. Having tested the tool, I’ll also reveal my pros and cons to help you determine whether it’s worth downloading.
What Is Boom3D?
Designed by Global Delight, Boom3D is a tool to help you adjust the volume on your Mac when listening to music and videos. It is available as a downloadable macOS app and has Safari and Chrome extensions.
Apart from music and videos, Boom3D also works with video games. It helps you increase your Mac’s volume beyond what it normally allows, plus you’ll also have various audio effects.
To run the latest version of Boom3D on your Mac, you must at least use macOS 10.14.
Boom3D for Mac Features
Boom3D’s Mac app has several handy features, including integration with AirPlay and Netflix. You can equalize your tracks based on their theme and pick different sound options for movies you watch. Boom3D lets you quickly change sound settings without needing to fully open the app, too.
Below, I’ll discuss Boom3D’s key Mac app features in more detail.
AirPlay Integration
If you regularly use your Mac and iPhone together, you’ll find Boom3D’s AirPlay integration particularly helpful. Once you’ve connected your devices, you can play songs via Apple Music on your iPhone using your Mac’s sound settings.
Here’s how to use Boom3D with your iPhone via AirPlay:
- Go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff.
- Toggle the AirPlay Receiver on.
- Expand Allow AirPlay For and select Anyone on the Same Network or Everyone, depending on your preferences.
- Open Apple Music on your iPhone and go to the AirPlay icon at the bottom, before choosing your MacBook.
- Confirm that you want your iPhone to play music from your Mac on your computer.
Use Boom3D With Netflix
Boom3D also integrates with Netflix, meaning you’ll have more control over your sound when watching movies. To use the two apps together, you should download the extension for Safari or Chrome. Go to the Boom3D app and extend the Netflix icon in the top toolbar to do this.
Sound Presets
Boom3D has over 15 presets for music genres and moods, and you’ll also notice a general preset for your Mac. You also have one sound preset for gaming and another for movies.
Music genre presets include:
| Electronic |
| Hip-hop |
| Acoustic |
| Jazz |
| Classical |
Meanwhile, mood presets include:
| Party |
| Lounge |
| Treble boost |
| Bass boost |
You can access each of these presets in the Boom3D Mac app by following these instructions:
- Expand the dropdown menu next to Equalizer or Change Presets.
- Choose your new equalizer preset.
If you want a more complete music experience, you can view your loved songs in Apple Music and add them to your queue.
Quick Sound Settings
Once you’ve opened Boom3D, you can quickly adjust the ambiance, fidelity, pitch, and fidelity. Moreover, you have the option to adjust the surround sound and turn on Night Mode if you’re watching a movie late in the evening.
Boom3D has a slider to help you change the music volume. And if you expand Apps, you can change the volume within all of your open programs (including Apple Music and Google Chrome).
Drag-and-Drop
Do you have music files on your Mac but not within a streaming app? If so, you can drag and drop them into Boom3D. Once you’ve done this, the app will add these to your queue. All of your settings will automatically apply to the track.
Boom3D for Mac Pricing
Boom3D costs $14.99 as a one-time purchase. You can also get a 30-day free trial before deciding whether you want to commit (and you don’t need to enter your payment details).
Boom3D for Mac Pros and Cons
Boom3D gives you more control over the music you listen to than what you’ll find on your Mac, with various equalizer and sound adjustment options. Another benefit is that you can control the sound in specific apps and not change the overall volume on your device.
On the negative side of things, Boom3D is only available in English. So, if your native language isn’t English and you’d prefer to use an app in your mother tongue, you’ll have to decide whether that’s a worthy trade-off.
One particular annoyance I found is that the app doesn’t expand to the full size of your Mac screen. Instead, it looks like the image you see below. I would personally prefer to have an app that fits the entire screen, but that might not be a deal-breaker for you.
Below is a table of what I think Boom3D does well on Mac computers, and where I think it has room for improvement.
| Pros | Cons |
| Get a free trial without needing to add your payment details | Only available in English |
| One-time purchase (and a reasonable price of $14.99) | The app doesn’t expand for your entire Mac screen |
| Comprehensive sound adjustment settings for 15+ music genres and moods | |
| Edit movie surround sounds to meet your needs (e.g. turning on Night Mode) | |
| Integrates with Netflix and AirPlay | |
| Control the sound within individual apps |
Should You Use Boom3D for Mac?
Boom3D is a simple but effective app for making music, gameplay, and movies, sound better. You can choose from several presets and even integrate with Netflix via browser extensions. It’s also easy to migrate your settings via AirPlay if you want to listen to songs on your iPhone via AirPlay.
Many ordinary users won’t notice a huge difference if they skip using Boom3D for their Mac. However, if you want to control your surround sound and have a more immersive experience, it’s a great tool to use. Besides having a no-strings-attached 30-day free trial, the $14.99 one-time purchase offers good value for money.