HeSuVi vs SteelSeries Sonar
SteelSeries made its GG audio suite free for everyone. How does Sonar compare to the veteran free toolkit HeSuVi?
Quick Comparison
| Feature | HeSuVi | SteelSeries Sonar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $0 (part of free SteelSeries GG) |
| Virtual surround algorithms | 150+ HRIR profiles | Sonar’s virtual surround engine |
| Equalizer | Graphic EQ + 1,000+ AutoEq profiles | 10-band parametric EQ |
| Extra features | Crossfeed, channel gain, profiles | Mic EQ, chat mix, game/chat routing |
| Background app | None (in-engine APO) | SteelSeries GG runs in background |
| Headphone required | Any | Any (no longer SteelSeries-only) |
| Maintenance | Not updated since 2019 | Actively maintained |
Sonar’s Big Advantages
Sonar is the modern, maintained free option: a clean interface, proper parametric EQ, per-app routing (game vs chat volume), and microphone processing — things HeSuVi simply does not do. It works with any headphones now, not just SteelSeries gear.
HeSuVi’s Big Advantages
Choice and lightness. Sonar gives you one surround engine; HeSuVi gives you 150+ captured algorithms to audition. And HeSuVi has no background app — it lives inside the Windows audio engine, while Sonar requires the SteelSeries GG suite running.
The Practical Split
Streamers and Discord-heavy players often prefer Sonar for its chat mix and mic EQ. Audio tinkerers and competitive purists often prefer HeSuVi for its algorithm library and zero-footprint design. Both are free, so trying both costs nothing but time.
Final Verdict
Both are free, so there is no wrong answer. Pick SteelSeries Sonar for the modern all-in-one suite (EQ + surround + mic + chat mix) with active support. Pick HeSuVi for the deepest virtualization library and the lightest possible footprint. Many users keep Sonar for chat/streaming and HeSuVi’s EQ for music — just do not run both surround engines at once.
Ready to try the free option? Download HeSuVi and follow our setup guide. Curious about the tech? Browse the HRIR database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SteelSeries Sonar really free?
Yes — Sonar is free for everyone inside the SteelSeries GG software, no SteelSeries hardware required.
Which uses less CPU?
HeSuVi runs inside the Windows audio engine with no background app; Sonar needs SteelSeries GG running. For minimal footprint, HeSuVi is lighter.
Can I use Sonar’s EQ with HeSuVi’s surround?
Technically yes, but it is fiddly and easy to double-process. Pick one surround engine and do your EQ inside it.