# Environments — user reviews > 88 indexed App Store user reviews of Environments by The Numero Group, rated 4.80/5 from 229 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/environments/id1294132065/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/environments/id1294132065.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 203 · 4★ 14 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 5 ## What do users think of Environments? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎵 Authentic analog field recordings with exceptional audio quality - 😴 Highly effective for sleep, meditation, and relaxation - 🎧 Long-form tracks (30+ minutes) without repetitive looping - 📚 Rich historical context about Irv Teibel and the Environments series - 💰 Excellent value at low price point for entire collection - 🎨 Beautiful album artwork and visual design - 🔄 Infinite loop functionality for continuous playback - 📱 Simple, straightforward user interface - 🌍 Diverse collection of 22 unique environmental soundscapes - ⏸️ Ad-free experience with one-time purchase - 🎯 Effective for focus, studying, and creative work **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes on certain iOS versions (iOS 16, older versions) - 📐 UI not optimized for iPad or landscape mode - 🔊 Audio output levels set too high, difficult to play quietly - 🖼️ Cannot zoom in on album cover artwork - 📍 Navigation could be simplified and improved - 🎚️ No speed adjustment controls for original LP playback options - 📦 Large file size takes up significant device storage - 🎵 Mono recordings lack modern stereo separation - ⚙️ Basic app functionality with limited customization options - 🔌 No Chromecast or Google Cast support - ♿ Not compatible with VoiceOver accessibility features **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes immediately after pressing play on iOS 16 - App removed from App Store after purchase, preventing re-download - Dynamic Island spacing issues on iPhone 14 Pro - Infinite loop button doesn't function properly - Audio doesn't resume after phone calls or text notifications - Track display doesn't update when switching between selections - Audio clipping on thunderstorm recordings - Play and Information button touch sensitivity too small - Portrait mode lock interferes with other app orientation settings **Most requested features** - Speed adjustment controls (16 rpm, 33 rpm, 78 rpm options) - Chromecast and Google Cast support - Alarm clock functionality using app sounds - Landscape mode support for iPad - Zoom capability for album cover artwork - Ability to skip forward within tracks - Dedicated track list button for easier navigation - VoiceOver accessibility support - Seamless looping without audio gaps - Volume normalization or in-app volume control - Ability to offload app while keeping data - Higher resolution audio (hi-res audio option) - More tracks or future recordings - Improved UI/UX design and simplification ## Newest reviews (18 of 88) ### 3/5 — Needs an update for iPhone 14 Pro *2023-04-01, version 1.6* The spacing is all wrong with the dynamic island on iPhone 14 Pro ### 5/5 — Thrilled to have these back again *2021-05-18, version 1.6* I owned the entire set on vinyl back in the 70s, and loved them. I’m thrilled to have them again. They remain far superior to any of the many similar sound sets I have tried. If you like environmental sounds, you’ll love these. Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — A Blessing. *2020-12-12* All I can say is THANK YOU to Mr. Irv Teibel. ### 5/5 — Tolle authentische Klänge zum Wohlfühlen *2020-11-05* Jahr den Cent wert. Besonders die Klangschalen auf 33 rpm sind sehr tief gehend... 🏖 ### 4/5 — Great sounds and choice *2020-06-06, version 1.6* I like the favorites lost that can be created. The low freq wind-chimes are very relaxing as is the soft surf sounds. And the arctic cold actually helps make environment feel cooler. Good for the price and very good for quality and ease of use. ### 4/5 — Can’t zoom in on the covers *2020-05-10* The app gets only 4 stars, as I can not get a zoom on the covers, which are as important as fantastic. The work of Irv, gets a 6 star!! Wonderful concept and as fresh as it was in the 70’s ### 5/5 — Incredible immersive sounds - worth the $3! *2020-04-18* I bought this app 5 minutes ago and I already feel more relaxed. The ocean sound I’m listening to right now makes me feel like I’m sitting on the Maine coast watching the tide come in! There’s even an occasional foghorn (and no weird fake-sounding seagulls, which is a feature that’s always bothered me in other nature sound apps). I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed an app before, but I just like this one so much. ### 5/5 — Environments *2020-03-27, version 1.6* Numero group are genials to bring this to life! ### 5/5 — Good relaxing app *2020-02-15* Very minimalistic yet functional interface. Recordings are nice and not overpowering. Don’t know if there will be more since it’s a collection. Very nice ### 5/5 — Thank you for making this *2020-01-15, version 1.6* Wish I found this sooner because I have been using another sound app for bedtime but the sounds and the vibes of the photos puts this app on another level. It’s just perfect and it’s super cheap for the quality and the amount of content you get ### 2/5 — 有点啦 *2019-12-14* 说句实话，有点少 软件有点垃圾 ### 5/5 — 棒 *2019-12-03* 声音采样很棒，所有声音都是真实的录音制作，不会有重复的感觉 ### 4/5 — Wonderful yet loud *2019-11-12, version 1.6* I enjoy the tracks here. I noticed how the tracks are set at a high output level so it’s difficult to play them quietly on my iPhone. I would love to see an update where the tracks were at a lower output or the app had a volume control. ### 5/5 — Environments *2019-10-04, version 1.6* Great application. I first heard about these recordings more than 40 years ago. I remember falling to sleep to the ocean shoreline album when I was a teenager. I love the cornfield sounds, rain storms, ocean waves and the blizzard recordings. I have recommended this app to several people looking for relaxing, meditative music. Five stars. ### 5/5 — Essential *2019-09-27, version 1.5* Excellent with high quality headphones. Looking forward to more well done tracks and hi res audio. Also navigation needs to be simplify. ### 5/5 — if you can’t collect the vinyls get this baby *2019-08-13, version 1.5* hey awesome! they added the slow version! when I first bought this I asked if they could put in a varispeed control...but this is good I used to take two copies of intonation and make chords sounds cool try it! ### 5/5 — Pays you back *2019-08-12, version 1.5* These recordings of actual natural sounds are unlike anything a computer generates using algorithms or even guided by humans. The app will pay you back the first time you use it! Luscious soundscapes for relaxation, motivation, sleep, wake and everything else! ### 5/5 — Tried finding an alternative but this is the real deal *2019-07-01* Before finding this app, I had been looking for the recordings online or something like it for years to no avail. I had one of these records when I was a teenager and wished I still had it. I’ve tried lots of other options, but the recordings were short or had music playing over them and nothing came close to the Environments experience. And now I have found the real deal. These are especially great to listen to when you are driving as it takes all the anxiety and frustration away. Thank you for bring these back to us in a modern format! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — App purchased then deleted from App Store *2023-10-28* Purchased last night and now it’s been removed from the App Store so I can’t download. What the hell?! ### 1/5 — Unusable in iOS 16 *2022-10-11, version 1.6* App launches but crashes immediately after pressing play. Worked fine in older iOS versions. ### 1/5 — 听不了，钱白付！ *2019-03-30* 钱已付，却下不了app，只停留在百分之十左右，期待解决！ ### 1/5 — 完全不能下载 *2018-12-31* I can’t download it.i hope u can solve this problem 我不知道那些5星好评是怎么来的，我只知道谁下谁后悔 ### 1/5 — 无法下载 *2018-11-10* 无法下载，希望尽快解决这个问题！ ### 1/5 — Clunky at best *2018-10-10, version 1.4* The sounds recorded is good, and there is a decent (although very limited) bit of stuff. However, it’s not optimized for the iPad and the interface is clunky and hard to use. It needs some serious polish before they can ethically charge for it. ### 1/5 — 下载不了 *2018-04-13* 下载不了 ### 1/5 — 18元买的辣鸡东西 *2018-02-25* 什么都没有，就几张图片，然后配一些声音，最后一个弱智的功能介绍，就没有了。。。 ### 1/5 — 🚫Don’t fall for the hype... *2018-02-10* This showed up on some website as the most amazing environmental sound app ever. I thought it would be worth the three bucks. It isn’t. The recordings are long, that’s about all. They lack any kind of clarity, stereo separation, interest. You can hear audio levels go up and down, especially on the tracks of thunder when the audio is obviously clipped on the thunderclaps. And some of the recordings are just confusing (e.g. blizzard sounds like it was recorded inside with the house interior falling apart). This was an instant regretted purchase - no wonder they don’t have an in app purchase that lets you preview it first. Don’t waste your money on this one. ### 1/5 — Has so much promise but… *2018-02-08* This seemed like a terrific app for audiofiles and blind people like myself. I totally love that the whole collection is available, and I would have been happier to pay more than I did...but alas, this app does not work with VoiceOver. I know for sure that many blind people besides me would clammer to buy this app, but sadly I can't recommend it. I live in hope however, but for now I wish I hadn't had to buy something I totally can't use. I applaud you developers for compiling this collection and for the painstaking remastering, but I hope one day all lovers of such high quality audio will be able to thoroughly appreciate and enjoy this app, with no barriers to accessibility. I had to write these words that might seem harsh, but I wanted to ensure that other blind people would not blow their money on this app, for now anyhow. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — This is Fantastic! *2025-12-06* Thank you, thank you! Years ago I purchased Slow Ocean and Ultimate Thunderstorm on cassette. I worked graveyard, sleeping during the day wasn’t always easy. I started listening to Ultimate Thunderstorm on auto reverse with headphones and a sleep mask - I have never slept so soundly and awakened so refreshed in my life, even after just 5 or 6 hours. The cassette liner said you’d swear your speakers were dripping, and it’s true! Ultimate Thunderstorm is a city recording, I especially love hearing the distant echo of a car horn, and the splash of car wheels that sounds so near! Unfortunately, one day my tape jammed in the player and that was the end of that. I truly mourned the loss of my deep sleep catalyst! Now you have given me ultimate relaxation again with this app - and it allows continuous play!! To say I am thrilled is an understatement! There is absolutely no equal to Irv Teibel’s masterpieces. A million thanks to The Numero Uno group for partnering with Syntonic Research and making this possible! ### 5/5 — really cool *2025-10-03* I used to have these on cassette. Then I had them when they went to CDs. They originally started on LP records. The fact that you have the entire collection on an app on your phone is amazing to me. Every one of these sounds is amazing. I happen to be obsessed with the intonation one. I’ve been listening to it since I was 18 lol of course that’s not consistently through. :-) ### 5/5 — The Entire Collection! *2025-07-04* I bought several of the Environments LPs as a teen back in the early 1970s, including Ultimate Seashore and Ultimate Thunderstorm. At the time there was nothing else like them. I wanted more, but the local record stores only carried a few. Now, finally, I have the entire set on my iPhone! Good memories… ### 5/5 — Love it *2025-05-21, version 1.7* So glad the navigation issue and layout issue were fixed! ### 5/5 — Real sound and long tracks *2025-02-11* Mono recordings but they sound fantastic especially on a smart speaker. You can only play one track at time. It would be great if you can mix them together. However, you can put the tracks on infinite loop so it will play all night. ### 5/5 — Not loops. Real, classic analog perfection *2024-09-10, version 1.6* This is the Jaguar and Rolls Royce of sound recordings for work, study, meditation, imbibing or gaming. The whole collection was meticulously gathered by A crazy, old audio engineer who thought the future of music was sound, not music. A collection of his recordings (which were actually hit records in the 70s). If you listen to ambient soundscapes and nature sounds on YouTube, etc - you are in for a treat with this high end library. If you have good headphones or higher end ear buds, the richness and living sound can’t be overstated. Like fine wine, this collection gets better with age. A grown up, thinking person’s collection for people with great ears - and great taste. Had it for years, cannot recommend this highly enough. ### 5/5 — Own the 11 records. Still got the app. *2023-08-28* I was fortunate and thrilled to snag all 11 of the original pressings a few months ago. This is a superb series and the record quality would be excellent if recorded today. The fact that these are mid-century field recordings is stunning. At first I was convinced they were foley. In any case, I got the records before I knew they were on streaming as well as their own app, but I wasn’t disappointed. The app is very well developed. I often gift it to friends who enjoy my record versions, though I’ve recorded those to tape by now to mellow the tone on some of them and to enable loop without using my phone. But the app is convenient especially if I’m not home. The remasters are fine, seems that they mostly compressed them to satisfy consumer grade earbuds. The app does not replace the records, but it’s nice to have. ### 5/5 — Sonically Superb *2023-03-25* As a childhood listener of the Environments album series, I was pleased to find that the Numero Group had resurrected these recordings in the form of an app. It’s a creative endeavor and also very practical. The nature and loopability of these long form recordings lend themselves well to the format. I’ve used this app a lot over the past few years, putting my baby boy and myself to sleep and naptime and bedtime. He loves to look at the landscapes that accompany each track. Worth every penny and more. ### 5/5 — Natural and varied sound, not repetitive *2022-10-14* This app is perfect for my needs. I hate silence. These curated sound recordings are about an hour long and include a lot of natural variation. Other apps have sounds on a loop, which doesn’t sound real. With this I feel I am in touch with nature as fell appreciation for the sound artist who put this together. ### 5/5 — At last! *2022-02-09* As an enthusiastic previous owner of the Environments LPs, I spent the past few decades searching for digital versions of these recordings. Finally found them here and they are exactly as I remember them: Richly detailed, incredibly evocative recordings that transport you. For meditation, background to work, falling asleep, or just firing your imagination, these are the soundscapes to buy. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-11.*