It must be said that this application has a really minimalist design. As soon as you open it, you can find a small interface with which to stop the audio, advance it or delay it. Likewise, it is also you can count on a timeline which can be controlled in a very simple way. This is added to a wide compatibility with the main formats that you are going to be able to find.
But this is not its only function. It is quite vitaminized, since it will also allow you to make audio recordings locally. This means that you always have extra tools that are certainly welcome. You also have to keep in mind that being developed by the company itself, you are guaranteed to work perfectly on macOS. In addition, it will have regular updates to prevent it from having bugs or affecting the general performance of the operating system.
Other third party options
In the event that the application created by Apple does not convince you, or you want tools that are much more powerful, you should opt for applications developed by other people. In the network you can find many different options, and below we show you the ones that are best for us.
VLC
One of the most classic options that exist for both macOS and Windows. It is noteworthy that it supports a wide range of file extensions compared to other applications. Likewise, this is an open source program which means that you will have complete control over it and it is totally free. Without a doubt, it is a great point in favor, since you have a quality program without having to pay anything at all and also you will be able to edit in your own way if you are a programmer.
But like other open source software, VLC is basic in design and feels outdated. But ultimately, it is designed to play content and control it through the bar at the bottom. In addition, in a hidden way a converter can also be found. This is in addition to the basic heavy file editing tools.
IINA
An audio application that stands out for its minimalism, being very similar to QuickTime. It is considered one of the best applications that exist for Mac for this very reason. It allows you to play any type of file and has full compatibility with the operating system. This translates into the possibility of controlling with native macOS gestures and also with the Touch Bar itself, if you have a MacBook with this feature.
It has an integrated audio equalizer to be able to make the best possible adjustment of everything you are listening to. While you browse or work you will be able to use this application thanks to the integration with PiP so that the player remains in a floating window. As in the previous case, it is also open source and therefore completely free for you to use on your Mac.
Pine Player
In this case, we are dealing with a program that has been specially designed for Mac. This is something really positive, since since it was designed from the beginning for an operating system, total integration and therefore great performance is achieved. It is compatible with a large number of audio formats, from the most famous to those that probably don’t even ring a bell. For example, it will be possible to open MP3, FLAC, APE, AAC, M4A, WAV, WMA, DSD, SACD ISO files and many others.
It has an oversampling filter that allows for great sound quality. Specifically, what it is going to do is convert the files to MP3 at a higher sampling frequency. This translates into being able to appreciate much more detail in the recording. The interface is simple at first, although you can always go much deeper to enter advanced options for those users who want a little more.
vox
One of the most popular applications thanks to the abundant functions that are integrated. At first, the most striking thing about it is the user interface. It is really easy to use and any user will be able to use it without too much trouble. In addition, it is practically universal, since it is compatible with the most typical audio formats and also with ALAC, DSD, WAV, AIFF and many more. In this way it becomes an incredibly good alternative for anyone.
This player allows tune into thousands of radio stations and enjoy a great listening experience with list customization. It is a free application, although in order to unlock all its features you have to pay a monthly subscription. Unlocked tools include a 10-band equalizer, cloud storage, playlist sync, and customization options.
5KPlayer
Free music player for Mac that also works as a video player. Audio files can be downloaded directly from a web page through the link it has. But it is not limited to web pages, as they can also be obtained from YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. This is really useful if you want to keep something useful that you have been able to see on one of these networks.
It also allows you to convert video files to MP3 or AAC audio formats. Another useful function is the radio player that is integrated and that allows you to listen to radio channels via satellite at any time. This adds significantly to the fact that it integrates perfectly with the operating system. This translates into the possibility of supporting Apple options as its own, such as switching playback between devices.
elmedia
Program created to be able to reach the best quality standards when it comes to audio playback on a Mac. It supports practically all possible audio formats. It even allows you to play the files as FLAC. It should be noted that in other situations you have to use iTunes on macOS to be able to play it. Among the supported formats stands out M4A, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, AC3, etc.
There are many functions that are included for those more experienced people. The 10-band graphic equalizer stands out, with the possibility of manually adjusting the bass to your liking. In addition, it will also be possible to connect several Macs to each other and be able to play music through external speakers. Obviously, it integrates a perfect media library that is managed in an optimal way.
The ones we recommend
It has been seen that there are many options that can be found on the net for this common task. We should definitely keep two of them. The first is quick time, having a minimalist design and being integrated with the operating system. It is ideal for those people who just want to listen to an audio quickly without any type of complication. It is true that for those professionals it may be quite lacking in functions, but we must bear in mind that most users are looking for something basic.
As a second option, there is the opportunity to recommend elmedia. Although it is a video player found in the Mac App Store, it also has a part focused solely on video. It has tools for any type of professional, such as a 10-band equalizer and also a playlist function that can be managed intelligently.
