Is there a PC audio equalizer that is actually free?

I’m not sure about that. It’s a bit of a grand scheme isn’t it – to have a program change all the audio to one setting for everything.
I don’t know about your soundcard but mine uses Realtek management software, which was free (still is to my knowledge) and that allows for custom EQ settings to be made, with the exception of those spatial effects (like Hall, Room, Hanger etc…). I think unless you know your soundcard manufacturer and unless that manufacturer has anything to offer on their own website, you’re pretty much stuck.
I know of free software that you can use with Winamp and Windows Media Player, but that’s only for Winamp and Windows Media Player, it won’t do much use in anything else.
Also there are downsides to using such software more so on older systems than newer ones. It may not even be a great concern to more modern systems but older systems tend not to handle EQ settings etc etc all too well.

Having been in the same boat as you, my only personal solution to my problem of the same nature, has been to hook up my laptop to my hi-fi. It does help with it having an EQ – but it’s the same effect for everything – and seeing as my laptop is now three years old, it comes in handy to just use the hi-fi for EQ effects instead of relying on software management programs that came with the soundcard when running games.

In short, I think you’re probably better off looking for a physical work around instead of a software related one….I think you’re going to be hard pressed to find a solution that does involve software that is free in this respect as it is a generalized function that affects sound from absolutely everything you run. I’d be interested to know if you do find a solution to your problem though.

Have you tried Audacity available at http://audacity.sourceforge.net? I believe this free program has an equalizer option once you record the music and select the ‘Equalization’ option in ‘Effect’ menu for the given track.

@seekerbg I’m talking about EQing any audio output I want with a program, not re-recording single tracks.

@lightsourcetrickster Thanks. There is software for the Mac that integrates directly into the sound options and effects all audio output. I even think it’s freeware. That’s why I got the idea that there was similar freeware for the PC.

I’m running the board’s audio, no extra card yet (I tried a very old card and there were no drivers available for my newer system). It is a brand new ASROCK B75 Pro3 that I built into my current rig.

I really cannot imagine there being anything free that would affect audio on a wide scale, although I do get what you’re on about. SRS labs etc etc, although to be fair, I’ve had some unfortunate side effects in using such third party programs – it’s as if it doesn’t really like some sound cards but loves others.
I just googled ASROCK B75 Pro3 and it certainly looks pretty good. I’ll keep my eyes open for anything, if I find something I’ll let you know.