Comparison

Home Theater SPL vs PGB link

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Home Theater SPL

Calibrate your home theater's surround sound system without extra equipment. This app acts as a decibel meter to help you set speaker levels accurately for an optimal audio experience.

Highlights
  • Decibel meter for audio calibration
  • Set surround sound speaker levels
  • No additional equipment needed
  • Peak noise level indicator
  • Supports 5.1 and 7.1 systems
Features
Read full description

Home Theater SPL Information   Professionals use SPL meters to calibrate audio reproduction systems in cinemas, so why shouldn’t Home Theaters or Home Cinemas owners use them too? Now the very same SPL meter that’s in our TestCard ProHD app is available separately.   An SPL or “decibel” meter is an essential tool when setting up surround sound systems.   Home Theater SPL a solution for calibrating the audio level of surround sound systems within the home without the need for additional equipment. Our app TestCard ProHD is the innovative means to calibrating your screen and audio to ensure a consistent and correct representation of display media and surround sound and includes an SPL meter. If you wish to calibrate both audio and visual aspects of your Home Theater then please consider TestCard ProHD.   Surround Sound Level Setting.   An SPL, or “Decibel” meter, is a sound power meter to assist with setting the speaker levels.   As speakers have different sensitivities they produce different levels of audio.   One may be louder or quieter than another, and how the room is laid out will also have an effect, but the goal is to have similar levels from all speakers reaching the viewing position.   To create that “centered sound stage” it’s important to calibrate the system.   While an approximation may be possible by ear, it is best done with an SPL meter.   A second factor to consider is simply that it also verifies that each speaker is in the correct position!   While working on an initial installation it is imperative to verify that audio is emanating from the selected speaker.   Select SPL on the main screen of Home Theater SPL to launch the meter.   Turn the iPhone or iPad so that the bottom microphone is pointing upwards and hold at ear level.   The scale is fixed, and the main black needle gives a slow average response as desired.   A red needle is provided for peak noise level information and is not required during calibration. Start with the front left speaker and allow it to set the benchmark level; the target for all other speakers to be set to.   Typically the audio will be in the 70-80dB range and as a guide 70dB is marked in red on dial.   With Home Theater SPL it is possible to note the current sound level by tapping on respective speaker, making it easier to recall where individual speakers were.   Move to the center speaker and adjust its level to closely match the first.   It is normal for amplifiers to increase or decrease sound levels by 1dB increments and it may not be possible to get an exact match.   Move to the next speaker in the list and repeat.   Variance of 1 or 2dB during calibration is normal, but it will settle around a value.   Some systems will have 5 speakers and some will also have the LFE, or bass effects, speaker to give the “0.1” to make 5.1 audio.   With the SPL meter there are 7 main speakers shown with one LFE to make 7.1.   With a 5.1 system the Mid speakers will not be present and therefore can be skipped. To check it’s always advisable to run round checking the speaker levels again, perhaps even adjusting the initial left speaker if it was not possible to set others within the range allowed by the amplifier.   When complete ensure that you save the settings within the amplifier if they’re not automatically saved.   For reference a screen shot of the SPL meter on Home Theater SPL can be taken to record any stored audio level by pressing the camera button.

About

PGB link

This app unifies control of your smart devices, offering instant connection, real-time monitoring, and customizable settings. It ensures devices are always updated and expands support for new gadgets over time, simplifying your smart life.

Highlights
  • Instant device pairing
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Customizable settings
  • Automatic firmware updates
  • Expandable device support
Features
Read full description

PGB link brings all your smart devices together—seamless connection, effortless control, and a unified experience from one simple app. What You Can Do • Connect Instantly – Pair any supported device in seconds, no tech skills required. • Monitor in Real Time – Devices status, usage stats, device health—at a glance. • Control & Customize – Adjust settings, switch modes, and personalize your experience—from charging preferences to device themes. • Keep Everything Updated – Automatic firmware updates keep your devices performing at their best. • Expand with You – PGB link grows with your setup, adding support for more devices over time. For everyday life. For your passion. Currently Supported Devices • TALIX H50

Screenshots

Home Theater SPL4 screens
PGB link4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PGB link at Free against Home Theater SPL's $0.99. PGB link also leads on rating (3.0 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 20 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

PGB link is free to download; Home Theater SPL costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PGB link holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Home Theater SPL ships an update every 20 months, PGB link every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Home Theater SPL versus PGB link: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHome Theater SPLPGB link
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)3.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB135 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJ.S. Technology Ltd.Shenzhen Jiuru Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Home Theater SPL

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

PGB link

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Home Theater SPL

No in-app purchases

None

PGB link

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Home Theater SPL free?
Home Theater SPL costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PGB link free?
PGB link is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Home Theater SPL or PGB link?
PGB link is rated higher. Home Theater SPL averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PGB link averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Home Theater SPL or PGB link have ads?
Neither Home Theater SPL nor PGB link shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Home Theater SPL or PGB link?
Home Theater SPL ships an update every 20 months, and PGB link every 8 days. Most recently, Home Theater SPL was updated on November 6, 2026 and PGB link on October 30, 2026.

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