# Surround Speaker Check — user reviews > 34 indexed App Store user reviews of Surround Speaker Check by Jeff Perrin Music LLC, rated 3.80/5 from 40 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surround-speaker-check/id1052439918/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surround-speaker-check/id1052439918.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 21 · 4★ 5 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 5 ## Newest reviews (11 of 34) ### 3/5 — Bug in release 2.0 *2023-12-15, version 2.0* This update brings some nice visual updates, but there’s a bug in the 5.1 surround test. Rear speaker tests now play through the front speakers. Verified with another app. Please fix this ASAP. Also it would be nice to have access to the atmos features for a smaller fee without the yearly subscription. ### 4/5 — Nice app…but *2022-07-16* This is a great straightforward app for testing surround speakers and levels. I use it to collaborate my surround speakers and levels. Would you please consider an app update to test Atmos channels. ### 2/5 — Subwoofer Check frequency sweeps exclude subwoofer?? *2022-01-26* The first 2 of the 4 Subwoofer Check tests do not exercise the subwoofer. Its icon stays gray, and I hear no audio from it. During the third and fourth tests, its icon is blue and I hear audio from it, but only the first 2 tests provide a frequency sweep, which is what was advertised and what I was seeking when I paid for it. Am I missing something? **Developer response:** Hello. Sweeps should be working, of course. Please shoot me an email with a list of your devices involved and their OS versions and I'll try and help you sort it out. Thanks. jeff (at) jeffperrinmusic.com ### 4/5 — Works well *2021-10-27, version 1.6.1* This app lets you see how much the spatial audio moves around the sound stage. On the new AirPods 3 it is noticeable but more subtle that I thought it would be. I would have given it 5 star if it could support 7.1 and Atmos. ### 3/5 — Worked in the past, but broken now *2021-04-03* The app doesn’t seem to be transmitting Dolby Digital 5.1 as of tvOS 14.4 (18K802). I’ve tried the native tvOS version of this app, screen mirroring, and airplay to the AppleTV. My setup is AppleTV 4K -> Samsung OneConnect box (via HDMI) -> Sonos Amp via HDMI eARC, and I have AppleTV set to Auto Audio Format (as opposed to Change Format with DD5.1, although I have tried that too to no avail). Typically, there’s an option in the Samsung settings to pass through Dolby Digital 5.1 when it senses that signal coming from the input device, and sure enough I get Dolby 5.1 in other apps (e.g. Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max), but not with this app anymore. I know it used to work like a year ago so not sure what has changed. **Developer response:** UPDATE: [The tvOS 14 bug described below is fixed with tvOS 14.5. Please upgrade your Apple TV to version 14.5 or higher. Thanks.] Hello. tvOS 14 currently has a major bug affecting users with optical connections and local media containing surround sound (local media meaning anything not streamed from a service.). I suspect your OneConnect box is similarly affected by this bug as well. Unfortunately, this one is out of my hands, though things are finally looking promising for a solid fix in an upcoming tvOS update. In the meantime, perhaps try connecting the ATV directly into the Sonos Amp? Feel free to contact me at: jeff (at) jeffperrmusic.com with your results. Thanks. -Jeff ### 4/5 — Soweit so gut *2020-11-12, version 1.6* Ein einzelner Test Ton auf jede Box wäre mir lieber gewesen.. Musik finde ich jetzt nicht so günstig. ### 2/5 — No Restore Purchases Button?? *2020-10-20* Really like the app, but I bought the center speaker test then had to reinstall the app, but the app just says to buy the test again, with no button to restore purchases!!! Help! **Developer response:** Hi Jdscribs, The "restore purchases" button is located in the About tab/About the app screen. Feel free to email me if you have any problems. Thanks! -Jeff ### 3/5 — No Calibration *2020-08-16* It’s great that this app works as a companion to the AppleTV app / but wish it worked to help calibrate. It would be great if the AppleTV played a sound that the iOS app heard, and I could tune the settings on my sound bar to calibrate it to my room setup. I’d pay money for that feature, I have a Vizio Atmos sound bar and they have no tools to know if I’m runner accurately. Each persons room is different - this could be a nice extension of this app. ### 5/5 — Excellent *2020-07-12, version 1.0* Did exactly what I needed to confirm my iPad Pro was outputting surround sound over HDMI. Simple and effective! ### 4/5 — Not sure how to use this. *2020-07-06* I love the idea that I can test my speaker for the correct surround sound. I just purchased the Apple TV 4K and wanted to be sure that the speakers were placed correctly. During the 5 speaker test all the speaker images were blue and the sound from each speaker was great. I spent the additional $.99 to get the center speaker test. This is the test that is confusing to me. There are three parts to this test. When I do the second part, which is the dialogue, the center speaker as well as the left and right speakers are red during that part of the test. There is a mention of phantom speakers. My confusion is that I do not know what a red speaker image means and what to do about it. And there is no manual or explanation. So bottom line is that I really like being able to do this test. But there is no explanation as to what it means what to do if the speaker image is red. That is the only reason I gave it a four star. **Developer response:** Hello happydays58230! In the second Center Speaker test, the red color doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong, and actually indicates which speaker where you should hear the spoken dialogue coming from. I used a red speaker image in this particular test as the other speaker images are already colored blue to indicate that non-dialogue background noise is present in those speakers. So if you’re hearing the dialogue come out your center speaker when the center speaker image is colored red, then you’re all good! (In hindsight, maybe I should have had the surround speakers a different color and kept the active test speaker color blue...) Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated! ### 5/5 — Wasn’t sure at first, now I’m positive! *2020-07-04* Was looking everywhere for a test surround source and found this one. Downloaded from my iPhone and then activated the iPhone mirror function to my Apple TV and it worked perfectly! I really like the entertaining music riffs as opposed to sound signals to confirm the sound channels. Downloaded and purchased the sound ear candy app next, to my Apple TV after listening to a few samples. Turned out that purchase was well worth the investment! LOVE the surround sound arranged tracks! I would say “Rain” is my fav for a very relaxing ambiance and the pic goes great to enhance the ambient mood in the room, but they’re all pretty great! Already looking forward to the new tracks I hope are coming soon! **Developer response:** Thanks so much for your kinds words and thoughtful review! You've made my day! :-) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Has in app purchases *2026-01-07* Incorrectly labeled app requires an in app purchases to u lock feature **Developer response:** Hello. There are three FREE test tracks you can use for as long as you want. No ads, no purchases required. An in-app subscription unlocks over 2 HOURS of high-quality content with updates and content added throughout the year. Lots of happy users - hope you change your mind and become one of them! :-) ### 1/5 — Price is ridiculous *2025-07-09* A $25 recurring subscription for an app I’ll use once to set up my equipment and then never again!? Ridiculous. Just let me pay for the app and be done with it. **Developer response:** No recurring subscription is required - you can cancel anytime and STILL have full year access to all Dolby Atmos demo tracks and speaker tests. So that's plenty of time to set up your equipment, check out all the demo tracks at your leisure, and even enjoy the exclusive new content and tests which are released throughout the year. And to make it easy, you can access your subscription status and cancellation or renewal options in the Info page of the app. ### 1/5 — Let’s change the goalposts *2024-05-31, version 2.0.2* Yet another app where one pays for all the content that’s available, and then more stuff is added to the same app which one has to buy a subscription to access. This really, really annoys me! Ok, so developers want to make as much money as they can, and I suppose for some people paying £24.99 a year (for now) is worth it, but having bought an app it annoys me to have to negotiate all the padlocked options and subscription reminders just ruins my faith in any app. By all means release new and separate ‘deluxe’ apps with subscriptions but to simply add paywalls to previously bought apps is not good. ### 1/5 — No need for a subscription *2023-12-16, version 2.0* Paying a yearly subscription seems a bit ridiculous just to test out your audio set up. I’d happily pay for a lifetime license if the price was reasonable but paying each year is unnecessary. ### 1/5 — Great idea, Subscription Cost is Absurd *2023-12-16, version 2.0* I have used the free mode a couple of times. The yearly subscription amount is quite high. I understand the developer has costs but this is not the way to finance them. Perhaps $7 for a 6 day period or a flat, one time fee world work. This is a utility app that will be used for a few minutes on setting up a new system. Pricing should reflect this. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2021-08-16, version 1.6.1* This app fails to achieve its one aim - playing 5.1 audio. It just doesn’t play. No other app does what this one states it does, so I was pleased when I found it, but then let down by the app not working. What a shame. Dev, if you do iron out the bugs, add more tests like Atmos, DTS, DTS-x etc for a full on test suite. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work. *2021-03-25, version 1.6.1* Netflix test patterns work fine, this doesn’t sent to correct speakers on Apple TV 4K. ### 1/5 — Didn’t work *2021-02-12, version 1.6.1* It’s not even clear what the purpose is. It was supposed to play an AC/DC track and will make you pay more to test individually channels? Wait for an update and don’t bother downloading ### 1/5 — No Atmos *2020-01-27, version 1.0* No Atmos test. No 7.1 test. The 5.1 test also doesn’t work on my sound bar. ### 2/5 — Same bug on 2.0 *2024-04-12, version 2.0.2* Rear speaker music bits now playing out of my side speaker during 5.1 test with the rears now silent. Worked fine on previous version. Confirmed rear speakers working via Atmos movies I have. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Delivers! *2026-02-14, version 2.3.1* Unfortunately, having been ripped off in the past on other apps, I was wary of the various apps out there for doing this. But this one is no scam! It has super useful stuff to confirm your setup. It’s clear that the author, Jeff, is a real pro and is enthusiastic about what he does. You will need the paid subscription to get the most out of it, but you can pay then cancel to get it for a full year if you’re concerned about an auto renew. Well worth the money. ### 5/5 — Has in app purchases *2026-01-22* Incorrectly labeled app requires an in app purchases to u lock feature Edit. The app is now labeled correctly as having in app purchases. Changing to 5 stars. **Developer response:** Hello. There are three FREE test tracks you can use for as long as you want. No ads, no purchases required. An in-app subscription unlocks over 2 HOURS of high-quality content with updates and content added throughout the year. Lots of happy users - hope you change your mind and become one of them! :-) ### 5/5 — Outstanding! *2025-11-19* Used this app to adjust an unruly Dolby Atmos surround system. The sounds seem much more natural and dynamic! Thank you very much! **Developer response:** That's great to hear! Thank you so much! 🙏 ### 5/5 — Amazing! Fully Test Dolby Atmos *2025-05-26* I used the Audyssey MultiEQ app to dial in my Denon receiver then used this app to further conform my setup by speaker. The subscription includes a video blog with further demos. If you are ready to seriously nerd out in your home theater, this app is for you! I highly recommend subscribing for a year to try everything out. **Developer response:** Thank you for the great review! 😊 ### 5/5 — Helped With Testing Apple TV *2023-02-09* I have an Apple TV 3 hooked up to an old receiver and 5 speaker setup, and am not getting surround sound through various movie streaming sites Airplay’d from my phone. I downloaded this app to my phone and ran the 5.1 check via AirPlay to my Apple TV and got the surround sound output I was looking for. So at least able to confirm my setup will work in principle. ### 5/5 — Does exactly what it says *2022-02-24, version 1.6.1* I was really struggling to find a single method of testing my 5.1 setup. This app did the job perfectly, and is the only way of testing each channel correctly that I could find. Many thanks! ### 5/5 — Great for Testing Spatial Audio *2021-10-28* I’m new to using AirPods Pro and the 5.1 Speaker Check was a great way to test Spatial Audio! ### 5/5 — Great Sound Check App *2021-01-31, version 1.6.1* Easy to download and set up. A must have for sound checking a 5.1 speaker system setup. ### 5/5 — Works for AirPod pro *2020-11-05, version 1.6* It works with the AirPod pro spatial audio ### 5/5 — Awesome app! *2020-10-18* Have old original Bose Solo, just running this app makes this old speaker sound like it was brand new! Don’t know how but it corrects the glitches! Thank you! E --- *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 2026-09-09.*