Comparison

Onkyo Controller vs SVS

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

Head to head
About

Onkyo Controller

Control compatible Onkyo network products with this official remote app. Stream music from various sources, manage playback, and operate connected home theater devices. Features automatic sound field correction for compatible products.

Highlights
  • Music playback from streaming services
  • Control music library and NAS drives
  • Remote control functions (play, volume, input)
  • Operate connected Blu-Ray players and TVs
  • Automatic sound field correction (Dirac Live)
  • Check audio/video formats
  • Turn on compatible units remotely
Features
Read full description

Onkyo Controller is the official Onkyo remote control application that allows users to conveniently operate compatible Onkyo network products from their iPhone/iPod touch/iPad. The intuitive, user-friendly interface makes it easy to get more from your AV home entertainment experience. Main functions that can be operated through this application. (1) Play music in each room or every room - Lets you play music from music streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, DEEZER and TIDAL, your music library on your smart device, or your NAS drive on compatible products. - You can play your music via radio, Bluetooth and USB. (2) Remote control functions - You can operate general control functions (play/stop, control the volume, select the input source, etc.) from your smartphone. (3) Operation of connected product(home theater product such as AV amplifier) - Lets you control a Blu-Ray Disc player or TV that is connected to an AV amplifier or home theater product via HDMI. (4) Dirac Live-enabled products measure automatic sound field correction. In addition, filters can be edited. (5) Audio/Video formats of input and output can also be checked. *By setting the “Network Standby” menu item in the unit’s initial settings to ON, you can use this application to turn on the power of the unit. Compatible models Network AV Receivers/Network Audio Player/Home Theater/Wireless Speaker in April 2016 or later ■ Please note ・To use Application it needs to read and agree Terms of Service. ・All models require a firmware update to use Onkyo Controller. ・Available Service depends on regions. ・Why Device's location is needed? Answer: In order to set-up your wireless devices which are located around you, SSID and Access Point info is needed. There is no other purpose to use the information of Device’s Location.

About

SVS

Control and optimize your SVS subwoofer's performance with advanced DSP features. Adjust volume, fine-tune audio for music and movies, and correct room anomalies for the deepest, tightest bass.

Highlights
  • Advanced DSP functionality
  • Room anomaly correction
  • Customizable presets
  • Volume control
  • Low pass filter adjustment
  • Parametric EQ
  • Port tuning
Read full description

The SVS app is the easiest way to unleash the full potential of your SVS 17-Ultra RIEvolution, 5000 Series R|Evolution, 3000 R|Evolution, 16-Ultra, 4000 Series, 3000 Series, 3000 Micro, 3000 In-Wall, 2000 Pro Series, and 1000 Pro Series subwoofers by allowing advanced DSP functionality and optimization based on your room, speakers and personal listening preferences. The SVS app lets you do simple things like control volume and create custom presets that enable easy, one-touch tuning for music, movies, and other content. More advanced functionality of the SVS subwoofer app includes the ability to correct room anomalies and fine-tune low frequency output so you can enjoy the full depth, force, and nuance from the world’s finest subwoofers. When used with your SVS subwoofer, the app takes the mystery out of subwoofer digital signal processing (DSP) by clearly explaining each feature and providing easy control from your mobile device. If you’re new to subwoofer DSP, the SVS app has a helpful tutorial that guides you through the different settings. With a few simple adjustments, you can eliminate boomy spots, set crossover frequencies, and make other adjustments to get the deepest, tightest, and most accurate in-room response possible from your SVS subwoofer. You can make adjustments from the comfort of your favorite seat or even when the subwoofer is not in site. With SVS, you can easily optimize settings for: • Volume Control • Low Pass Filter • Phase • Polarity • Parametric EQ • Room Gain Compensation • Port Tuning (Ported models only) • Custom Presets • System Settings And More The SVS app works with Apple iOS 13.0 or newer. The app is also available for SVS 13-Ultra Amplifier Upgrade Kits for existing owners of the SVS SB13, PB13, PC13-Ultra, PB12-PLUS, and PC12-PLUS Subwoofers. Have questions, problems or feedback? Contact us at custservice@svsound.com or 877.626.5623.

Screenshots

Onkyo Controller4 screens
SVS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SVS at 68% against Onkyo Controller's 26%. SVS also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Onkyo Controller's advantage is ratings volume (620 vs 95). On price, update cadence, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SVS holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onkyo Controller has 620 ratings behind it against 95, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Onkyo Controller's written reviews are positive against 68% of SVS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Onkyo Controller versus SVS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnkyo ControllerSVS
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (620 ratings)4.2 (95 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.7% of reviews68.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings620 — better95
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer11 Trading Company LLCSpecialty Technologies, LLC.

Customer experience

Onkyo Controller

All ratings620 ratings
Positive26.6%
Neutral6.0%
Negative67.4%
Written reviews506 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative62.3%

SVS

All ratings85 ratings
Positive77.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative16.5%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive68.5%
Neutral9.6%
Negative21.9%

User reviews

Onkyo Controller

From 620 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 💡 Supports Tidal and Spotify
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection issues
  • 🐛 App crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Unreliable performance
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with older devices

SVS

From 95 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app for subwoofer control
  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 💡 Powerful functionality at fingertips
  • ✨ Excellent for fine-tuning settings
  • ✅ Works reliably for many users

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Preset saving issues
  • 🐛 Not intuitive for multiple subs
  • 🐛 Lacks auto room correction

Bugs and requests

Onkyo Controller

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App doesn't recognize receiver
  • Fails to connect to Wi-Fi
  • Loses connection during use
  • Doesn't work with iOS 13 and newer
  • Causes receiver to enter Direct mode unexpectedly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Apple Music
  • Improve Tidal and Deezer integration
  • Allow customization of input names
  • Add sleep timer and power off options
  • Improve volume control and speaker balance adjustments

SVS

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Never reconnects to sub, requires reinstallation
  • Preset saving is unreliable or doesn't work
  • Bluetooth connection issues (out of range, drops)
  • Phantom BLE connection locks out other devices
Show 10 more
  • iPhone gestures interfere with app navigation (swipe up)
  • Save Preset button is not visible/executable on iPhone 14 Pro
  • Options button not showing up after selecting home screen options
  • Preset selection not properly shown on screen when swapping
  • App maintains a phantom BLE connection
  • Auto On not working
  • Amplifier plate issues
  • App resets itself on opening
  • Subwoofer not in range reported
  • Preset is set to none in the app periodically

Requested features

20 requests
  • Group subs for simultaneous adjustments
  • Mute function
  • Auto room correction
  • Widget for quick preset changes
  • Apple Watch app for adjustments
Show 15 more
  • Desktop/Mac app support
  • Language options (e.g., French)
  • Standby/Active mode indicator
  • API for home automation integration
  • Native Windows/Mac/Linux control
  • Expanded explanations for settings
  • iPad support
  • Group control for gain adjustments
  • Dropdown menu for switching between subs
  • Always-on display option
  • Automatic recognition of sealed mode
  • Support for multiple devices simultaneously
  • Net frequency response display with EQs
  • Option to go back in menus
  • Dark mode

In-app purchases

None

Onkyo Controller

No in-app purchases

None

SVS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onkyo Controller free?
Onkyo Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SVS free?
SVS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onkyo Controller or SVS?
SVS is rated higher. Onkyo Controller averages 2.2 out of 5 from 620 ratings, while SVS averages 4.2 from 95 ratings.
Do Onkyo Controller or SVS have ads?
Neither Onkyo Controller nor SVS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onkyo Controller or SVS?
Onkyo Controller ships an update every 2 months, and SVS every 2 months. Most recently, Onkyo Controller was updated on September 22, 2026 and SVS on September 15, 2026.

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