Our verdict: FxSound is the easiest way to make quiet laptop speakers or cheap headphones sound louder and fuller. Presets and a simple equalizer give quick results without technical setup. Precise users will find it less flexible than Equalizer APO, and it is Windows only.
About FxSound
FxSound was sold for over 20 years, earlier under the name DFX Audio Enhancer. It became free in 2022 and open source in 2023, and the developers say it is now supported entirely by user contributions.
It runs in the background and processes all system audio, adjusting timbre, volume, spatial balance and dynamics. You choose a preset, or adjust the equalizer and effects yourself. FxSound says its volume boost is controlled to avoid harmful peaking and distortion.
What it does well
- System-wide processing. Enhances the sound of every app that plays through Windows.
- Equalizer and effects. A 9-band equalizer plus Clarity, Ambience, Surround Sound, Dynamic Boost and Bass Boost sliders.
- Volume and bass boost. Raises loudness and low end with peak control to limit distortion.
- Presets. Ready-made settings for common uses such as music, games and voice.
- Audio routing. Choose which playback device receives the processed sound.
Who it is for
Good fit
Laptop users with quiet speakers, people with budget headphones, and transcriptionists who need clearer voices.
Look elsewhere
Audiophiles who want measured parametric correction, and macOS or Linux users.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Noticeable boost on weak speakers
- Free and open source
- Presets for common uses
Cons
- Less precise than Equalizer APO
- Windows only
- Processing colors the sound, which is wrong for audio work
How to install FxSound
Download the installer from fxsound.com; it is served from FxSound's official GitHub releases, and an ARM64 build is listed separately. After installing, pick your headphones or speakers as the output in FxSound, then try a preset before touching the equalizer. Turn FxSound off when recording or mixing audio so it does not color the result.
Questions about FxSound
Is FxSound free?
Yes. FxSound became free in 2022 and open source under the GNU AGPL v3 in 2023. Contributions are optional.
Is FxSound the same as DFX Audio Enhancer?
Yes. FxSound is the current name of the product previously sold as DFX Audio Enhancer.
