You can increase the volume beyond your Mac's default via a menu slider or a keyboard shortcut.
With iTunes, Apple TV, and a plethora of iOS devices, the incentive is there to convert all the entertainment you own into digital form. As you do, you may notice that some files play back louder than others (even with iTunes' Sound Check feature on), and sometimes loud just isn't loud enough, especially on an iOS device's or Mac's built-in speaker.
Boom is a handy Mac app designed to crank up the sound. It has two functions: the first is to increase the volume of your files’ audio on per-file basis—highly useful when you need louder sound for your iOS or Apple TV enjoyment. The second function is to crank your Mac’s volume to the max, far louder than the default volume settings. Boom will ask you to download a special extension to make that work, but it’s a small, free file so it’s not much of a hassle. Once you restart the app, a new Boom icon will appear in the menu bar, independent from your traditional volume control.
When the slider is raised, everything is indeed louder, from the system sounds to iTunes to anything you can listen to on the web. You can increase the volume in QuickTime or iTunes without needing to use those apps, and if that's still not enough oomph, you can use those apps’ built-in volume sliders to make the audio even louder after it’s been “boomed." Boom also has a built-in, highly customizable equalizer.
Applying a volume increase to files will not overwrite the originals: by default, modified files are stored in a folder called Boom, in your Mac’s Music folder. To share them with your iOS devices you’ll have to add them to iTunes first. (You can use Automator to set up a folder action to add files from the Boom folder to iTunes automatically.) Boom doesn't work on files laced with DRM though, like movies and TV shows purchased from the iTunes Store.
It’s also not a magical increase: if you raise the volume too much, you’ll encounter very uncomfortable distortions, but in most cases, especially when listening on a portable device, Boom allows you to enjoy your entertainment and hear every word even in a loud environment.
The bottom line. Boom is incredibly easy to use and well worth the money—being able to increase the volume of files that you'll listen on your iOS device is a godsend.
OS X 10.6.6 or later
Incredibly easy to use. Mac Boom volume control changeable via keyboard. Equalizer options. Non-destructive changes on a file-by-file basis.
Can’t alter DRM-protected files. If the volume is too loud its distortion can be highly unpleasant.
Goldie07
September 26, 2012 at 7:21pm
definitely needed on weak-kneed internal speakers of MacBook pros
not really needed if external speakers used
macbookpro220
September 25, 2012 at 10:59am
This is an awesome app! I would highly recommend it. I've used Boom for over six months as a systemwide live GRAPHICAL equalizer and it does a wonderful job! I can equalize Pandora, Spotify, YouTube,....anything that you play on your Mac. It really helps me improve my sound quality and adjust it to how I like it. (Not to mention it makes my MacBook Pro's internal speakers sound slightly better when not listening to speakers or headphones.) I always thought that live equalization is something that Apple has always lacked. Boom is an excellent alternative that is well worth the money.
Also, if anyone is interested, I use the "Equalizer" app by Audioforge as a live graphical equalizer instead of the music app on my iPhone.
sportmac
September 25, 2012 at 10:10am
will not work with mono audio turned on on the mac. it will quit every time. so i have to turn off mono before boom can work. being deaf in one ear i use the mono and could really use the boost in volume but boom isn't compatible with it.
i've sent them emails and they promised fixes but that was well over a year ago. no fix.
