Comparison · 3D sound
TONO vs Boom 3D
Both make any headphones sound three-dimensional and your whole Mac louder. Choose Boom 3D for its 3D surround with a volume booster, headphone presets and internet radio, from macOS 11; choose TONO for 8D and AirPods head tracking plus per-app outputs, recording, a clean mic and display tools on Apple silicon.
Facts as of
From each vendor’s own website – the sources are at the end.
TONO 2.3.0macOS 15+Apple silicon
About this comparisonTaken from each app’s own website and its Mac App Store listing (sources below). Features and prices change – please check the vendor’s site before you decide. We make TONO. Boom 3D is a trademark of its owner; TONO is not affiliated with Boom 3D or its developer.
Side by side
| Feature | TONO | Boom 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | All-in-one audio and display control | 3D surround sound, volume boost and equalizer |
| Equalizer | 10 faders (Free) · up to 24 parametric bands (Pro) · 60+ presets | 31-band equalizer with presets and custom presets |
| 3D and spatial | 3D Surround, 8D Orbit (circle, pendulum, figure 8, drift), 4D Impact, six rooms, AirPods head tracking | 3D Surround Sound for any headphones · 5.1 multichannel support · spatial stereo and other effects |
| Louder | Up to +12 dB free, +18 dB with Pro – with a look-ahead limiter | Volume booster beyond the regular limits |
| Per-app volume | Yes, plus mute, meter and an output per app (Pro) | Apps Volume Controller |
| Headphone EQ | Import AutoEQ / EqualizerAPO files · hearing test with a profile per ear (Pro) | Headphone EQ for 5,000+ models |
| Also included | Recording, Mic Studio (noise-filtered virtual mic), visualizer, brightness, window snapping, Stream Mode, Auto Rules | Audio player with playlists, 20,000+ internet radio stations, Boom Remote app |
| Requirements | macOS 15+, Apple silicon | macOS 11+, Apple silicon compatible |
| Where to get it | Direct download | Direct download and Mac App Store |
| Price | Free; Pro €3.99/month, €29/year or €79 once (EUR, incl. VAT) · one-day Pro trial | One-time purchase with a 15-day free trial (direct; price varies by region) · Mac App Store: free download with in-app lifetime packs, e.g. $49.99 in the US store |
Where Boom 3D is a good fit
- You want a 3D surround effect and a volume booster with little setup, plus a 31-band equalizer with many ready-made presets.
- You want built-in internet radio and a local music player in the same app.
- You use an older macOS (11 to 14) or prefer buying through the Mac App Store.
- You want 5.1 multichannel content rendered for headphones.
Where TONO is a good fit
- You want 8D motion you can shape (path, speed, distance), rooms, and head tracking with AirPods Pro or Max.
- You want to send apps to different outputs – music on the speakers, the call in your headphones.
- You also need recording, a noise-filtered microphone for Discord or Zoom, a hearing test, or display tools, without more apps.
- You want a free tier that doesn’t expire: the equalizer, 60+ presets and brightness stay free.
Can you use both?
Use one at a time. Two apps that both process all system audio stack their effects – 3D on top of 3D sounds muddy. Quit one before you switch the other on, and check that your real speakers or headphones are the output in System Settings → Sound.
Questions
Is TONO a Boom 3D alternative for Mac?
Yes, on Macs with Apple silicon and macOS 15 or later: both add 3D sound, an equalizer, a volume boost and per-app volume to every app. TONO adds 8D, head tracking and per-app outputs plus recording, a virtual mic and display tools; Boom 3D adds internet radio, a player and 5.1 support, and runs on older macOS versions.
Which one has 8D audio?
TONO has a dedicated 8D Orbit mode with four paths and adjustable speed and distance. Boom 3D’s website describes 3D surround and spatial effects; it doesn’t list an 8D mode as of .
Do I need special headphones for either?
No. Both work with any headphones. TONO additionally uses AirPods Pro and AirPods Max for head tracking.
Sources
All checked on .
- Boom 3D for Mac, product page: globaldelight.com/boom
- Boom 3D for Mac, FAQ: globaldelight.com/boom/boom3dmac/faq.php
- Mac App Store listing “Boom3D: Volume Booster and EQ” (US store): apps.apple.com
- TONO: fact sheet and 3D sound and 8D audio
Turn up your Mac.
Download free. All of Pro for one day. No account.
Download for Mac Hear it first
Free to keepPro from €3.99 a monthmacOS 15+Apple silicon