Surround Speaker Check vs PhaseChecker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surround Speaker Check
Test and optimize your Dolby Atmos home theater system. This app provides over two hours of spatial audio content to verify surround sound decoding, speaker configuration, and enjoy immersive audio experiences on compatible soundbars and headphones.
- Verify Dolby Atmos decoding
- Test speaker configuration
- Evaluate height channels
- Subwoofer test suite
- Manual speaker troubleshooting
- Spatial audio demos
- Dolby Atmos test tracks
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Surround Speaker Check is a fun and entertaining utility to help you set up and enjoy Dolby Atmos on your home theater gear! Also works as great way to test spatial audio on Dolby Atmos-compatible sound bars and headphones! Surround Speaker Check is more than just the world’s most popular AV utility app - with over 2 hours of content, it’s now THE best way to experience Dolby Atmos spatial audio like you’ve never heard before! SURROUND SOUND TESTING - Verify your system is properly decoding Dolby Atmos surround sound audio - Confirm your speakers are properly configured - Hear and evaluate your surround speakers in isolation (including height channels) - Tune your room, test your sub with the new Subwoofer Test Suite - Use the Manual Speaker Check feature to help troubleshoot and fine-tune your system - Confirm your Apple TV is properly set-up for surround sound playback DOLBY ATMOS TEST TRACKS - True Dolby Atmos audio support provides an accurate and complete test environment - Supports up to 7.1.4 speaker layouts - Works with Atmos-compatible soundbars SPATIAL AUDIO PLAYGROUND - Over two hours of spatial audio demos and Dolby Atmos test tracks - Regularly updated Dolby Atmos demos experimental spatial audio content - Enjoy spatial object scenes designed to unleash the full potential of your home theater Uses specially-produced Dolby Atmos surround tracks with on-screen 3D graphics Designed by guitarist and immersive audio producer Jeff Perrin as a means to confirm the integrity of various surround systems while producing surround sound music tracks. NOTE: Playback of test content on speakers requires an Apple TV (or similar AirPlay-compatible streaming device) connected to a Dolby Digital-compatible home theater system. Spatial audio support over headphones requires compatible iOS device with Dolby Atmos-compatible AirPods or Dolby Atmos-compatible headphones. When played back over an optical connection or non-Atmos devices, surround content will fold down to Dolby Digital 5.1 or stereo 2.0 format, depending on device capabilities. In all cases, a fast internet connection is highly recommend. *Playback of Dolby Atmos content on non-Apple devices requires that the device supports multichannel audio (ie. Dolby Digital 5.1 or Atmos) over AirPlay 2. Please check your device specifications. Please try out the free included test tracks so as to ensure compatibility with your hardware before making any purchases. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
PhaseChecker
This utility app tests your sound system to ensure speakers are correctly wired and in-phase. It offers manual and automatic modes, with advanced waveform analysis for precise setup. Proper phasing is crucial for optimal bass response and stereo imaging.
- Speaker phase and polarity testing
- Manual and automatic test modes
- Microphone-based analysis
- Waveform view for advanced users
- In-app help and guidance
- Audio output connection
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The PhaseCheck app will run a test signal through your sound system to ensure your speakers are in-phase and wired with the correct polarity. It can be run either manually or automatically. Manual mode allows you to run the test signal and flip the phase so you can listen yourself to ensure your sound system is setup correctly. Automatic mode will run a series of test signals through your sound system and use the microphone on the device to analyse the results. New in version 2.0 is a waveform view mode for advanced use. It allows you to play an asymmetrical waveform (ramp waveform), record the sound from each speaker close up and capture the waveforms to then compare them. Phase is a difficult concept so full help is available in the app to ensure you get the best results. You should check the phase of your sound system whenever the wiring has been changed to ensure everything is the correct polarity. When a sound systems speakers are out of phase the sound quality is affected massively. Bass is reduced significantly and stereo imaging gives the illusion of the sounds pulling outside of the room. To run the check connect your iOS device to your sound system so it can play audio. If possible place the iOS device evenly between the speakers. Phase cancellation will not occur close to the speakers so ensure the device is not too close. Ensure the volume is at a comfortable listening level and if possible ensure there is no background noise to interfere with the scan.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Surround Speaker Check at Free against PhaseChecker's $0.99. Surround Speaker Check also leads on rating (3.8 vs 2.0) and review sentiment (53% vs 16%). PhaseChecker's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 16.6). On ads and device support 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
Surround Speaker Check is free to download; PhaseChecker costs $0.99 up front. Surround Speaker Check sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. PhaseChecker asks for nothing beyond the download.
Surround Speaker Check holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surround Speaker Check has 40 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Surround Speaker Check's written reviews are positive against 16% of PhaseChecker's.
Surround Speaker Check ships an update every 4 months, PhaseChecker every 43 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Surround Speaker Check | PhaseChecker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (40 ratings) — better | 2.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews — better | 15.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 40 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 43 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 14.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 177 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jeff Perrin Music LLC | Rick Peacock |
Customer experience
Surround Speaker Check
PhaseChecker
In-app purchases
Surround Speaker Check
- Unlimited Access$19.991 Year
- Unlimited Access$24.991 Year
- Subwoofer Check$0.99
- Center Speaker Check$0.99
PhaseChecker
No in-app purchases





