PhaseChecker vs SignalScope X
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
SignalScope X
This app provides powerful measurement and analysis tools for acoustics, audio, and electronics. It offers a free oscilloscope and subscription-based tool sets for basic, advanced, and professional needs, compatible across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Oscilloscope
- FFT Analyzer
- Spectrogram Analyzer
- Data Recorder
- Sound Intensity Analyzer
- Room Acoustics Analyzer
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SignalScope X offers a range of powerful measurement and analysis tools to enhance your productivity in areas such as acoustics (sound and vibration), audio, electronics, and electroacoustics. SignalScope X includes a free oscilloscope tool. SignalScope X makes additional tools available via 3 tiers of subscription-based tool sets to meet your basic, advanced, and professional needs. Each subscription works on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Features: - Analyze signals coming from the Mac or iOS device’s current audio input device. - Assign engineering units to your input signals and calibrate external transducers for accurate measurements. - Assign input channel units and sensitivities for individual USB Audio devices. - Connect lab-grade microphones and sensors to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone with suitable interface hardware for precise measurements. - SignalScope offers enhanced support for select hardware from Digiducer, The Modal Shop, and miniDSP. - Nominal acoustic sensitivities included for iPhone and iPad built-in microphones, voltage sensitivities for headset input (including the standard Lightning-to-headset adapter). - Manually switch between available audio input and output sources. - Load microphone frequency response data (FRD) and apply frequency response correction (FRC) to FFT-based measurements. - Manually adjust audio sample rates, even up to 768 kHz, depending on hardware. - Save acquired measurement data to CSV, TXT (tab-delimited), or MAT files. - Save high-resolution analyzer display images to PDF files. - Retrieve your data files from your device via Files (iCloud Drive), iTunes File Sharing, or through a web browser on another device. Files may also be opened in other compatible apps (e.g. Mail, Notes, Numbers, Dropbox, etc). Basic Tools: - Oscilloscope - MultiTool - Powerful data monitoring and project management (Add up to 6 subtools and save configurations for easy recall at a later time.) - FFT Analyzer - Spectrum analyzer with user-settable frequency limits and input triggering - 2D Real-time Spectrogram Analyzer - XY Plotter - Create Lissajous curves or visualize your stereo mix - Stereo Signal Generator Advanced Tools: (Advanced Tool Set also includes basic tools) - 3D Real-time Spectrogram Analyzer - Stunning live visualization of incoming data - Octave-band Analyzer - Whole and 1/3-octave RTA - Level Meter - Overall signal level meter - Max Levels - Traffic-light-style monitoring - Noise Dosimeter - Data Recorder - Stream up to 8 channels to WAV, AIF, or CAF audio files - Multi-channel Audio File Player - Analyze pre-recorded data Pro Tools: (Pro Tool Set subscription includes all tools) - Dual-channel System Analyzer (Dual FFT analysis with support for Frequency Response Magnitude/Phase, Phase Delay, Group Delay, Coherence, Impulse Response and Cross-Correlation) - Sound Intensity Analyzer - With a suitable p-p probe, measure sound intensity and acoustic particle velocity spectra (narrowband and whole or 1/3-octave bands) and time waveforms. - Room Acoustics Analyzer (T20, T30, T60, nonlinearity, EDT, Early Decay Time, Center Time, Clarity, and Definition in various frequency bands, adjustable Schroeder integration limits) - Polar Plot - Generate beautiful high-resolution plots of polar data. - STI/PA Analyzer - Direct STI and STIPA measurements Additional Pro Features: - User-defined custom metadata in saved audio and data files - Data logging support in the Level Meter, Octave Analyzer, and Noise Dosimeter - Percentile exceeded sound levels in the Level Meter and Octave Analyzer - NC, RNC, and NR references curves, NC, SIL, and NR values in the Octave Analyzer - Voltage decibel levels can be displayed in dBV or dBu Subscription Terms: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/apps/subscriptions/terms.html Privacy Policy: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/privacy.html Terms and Conditions for FaberAcoustical.com: - https://www.faberacoustical.com/about/terms.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SignalScope X at Free against PhaseChecker's $0.99. SignalScope X also leads on rating (3.0 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 43 months). PhaseChecker's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 18.6). On review sentiment, 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
SignalScope X is free to download; PhaseChecker costs $0.99 up front. SignalScope X sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. PhaseChecker asks for nothing beyond the download.
SignalScope X holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SignalScope X has 23 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 16% of PhaseChecker's written reviews are positive against 10% of SignalScope X's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
PhaseChecker ships an update every 43 months, SignalScope X every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PhaseChecker | SignalScope X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.0 (3 ratings) | 3.0 (23 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.8% of reviews — better | 10.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 23 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 43 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Freemium — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 14.1 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rick Peacock | Faber Acoustical, LLC |
Customer experience
PhaseChecker
SignalScope X
Bugs and requests
PhaseChecker
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
SignalScope X
Reported bugs
9 issues- Recording starts and stops
- App crashes on launch
- Oscilloscope and FFT not functioning
- SPL meter inaccurate/uncalibratable
- App not working on older devices
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- File type conflicts
- Data scattered
- App requires subscription for basic functionality
- Old versions no longer supported/functional
Requested features
6 requests- Manual for better understanding
- Ability to store and retrieve setups
- One-off payment option
- More intuitive user interface
- Ability to change Y-axis scale
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- Support for Audiobus output
In-app purchases
PhaseChecker
No in-app purchases
SignalScope X
- Basic Tool Set, 1 Month14 Days trial$3.491 Month
- Advanced Tool Set, 1 Month14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Pro Tool Set, 1 Month14 Days trial$24.991 Month
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- Basic Tool Set, 1 Year14 Days trial$34.991 Year
- Advanced Tool Set, 1 Year14 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Pro Tool Set, 1 Year14 Days trial$249.991 Year
- 14-day Free Trial, Pro Tool SetFree
- Basic Tool Set 2026$69.99
- Advanced Tool Set 2026$199.99
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- Pro Tool Set 2026 from Advanced$309.99
Questions
Is PhaseChecker free?
Is SignalScope X free?
Which has better reviews, PhaseChecker or SignalScope X?
Do PhaseChecker or SignalScope X have ads?
Which is updated more often, PhaseChecker or SignalScope X?
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