Comparison

Spatializer vs spectwhirl

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

Head to head
About

Spatializer

Enhance audio with stereo widening that preserves mono compatibility and avoids phase issues. This tool synthesizes side channel information, ideal for mono sources or adding depth to existing stereo tracks without compromising the mid channel.

Highlights
  • Stereo widening without phase smearing
  • Synthesizes side channel information
  • Preserves mid channel integrity
  • Flexible for mono and stereo sources
  • Transparent or strong effect options
  • Multiband transient shapers
  • Directional RMS distribution visualization
Features
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Spatializer is a great choice if you want to widen your sounds but need to avoid: • phase smearing in the mono mix • phasing / comb filter effects (from asymmetric channel delays) • or any changes to the mid channel or mono mix The plugin's main focus is to enhance sounds that have little or no side channel information, where traditional widening approaches like mid-side processing can't be effectively used. It also offers more flexibility in case of mixed inputs, widening narrow components without boosting already existing stereo width to extreme levels that would drown out the mid channel, leading to stereo image problems. Spatializer can also be combined with other effects, for example it's excellent for augmenting large-scale reverbs by enhancing the more immediate space or effectively moving the listener closer to the virtual sound source. At large timescales, the plugin takes on some of the qualities of a reverb itself, while keeping the mid channel sharp and free of any reflections. This could either be used as a special effect in and of itself (depending on the transient characteristics of the input), or be blended together with traditional ambience or acoustic space simulation effects. FEATURES: • Synthesis of side channel information where there was none (stereoization of mono sources) • Linear phase mid channel • Capability to deliver both a neutral / transparent response as well as stronger effects • Built-in multiband transient shapers for delivering a more focused response by suppressing outlier reflections • Multiple visualization options: Directional RMS distribution, position and motion • Effects can range from close-proximity / spatial audio effects to larger acoustic space reflections • Baseline frequency response is optimized to maximize flatness, balancing the spectral density of Left, Right, Side channels The built-in selection of subtly tuned presets and the combined psychoacoustic properties of the above features give more leeway to easily experiment with kinds of source material that have traditionally presented difficulties, like tracks with prominent LF content. Due to its ability to provide transparent, subtle and high-clarity responses, as well as good spectral density characteristics, Spatializer can also be included in master bus effects chains. In multi-track setups it can be used in parallel with other positioning methods to bring more variation to the sound stage or to provide additional ways to adjust the mix. For audio demos, visit: www.quantovox.com/sp PLEASE NOTE: • AUv3-compatible host application required • Supported sampling rates: 22.05, 44.1, 48, 96 kHz.

About

spectwhirl

This audio effect app transforms input sound into new textures and bell-like tones by extracting and manipulating sinewave components. It offers advanced control over delay lines, frequency shifting, and filtering, with gesture recording for parameter automation.

Highlights
  • Sinewave component extraction and grouping
  • Delay lines with feedback
  • Frequency shifter and sample-and-hold effects
  • Configurable filtering
  • Gesture recording for automation
  • Scene saving and management
Features
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"bells and whistles, literally" spectwhirl is a hybrid spectral audio effect. It can extract and rearrange sinewave components from input signal to make new sound textures and bell-like sounds. * input sound is converted to sinewave components that are divided into 4 groups: harmonic, inharmonic, 12-edo and other * each component is fed into a delay line with feedback * there is a group of frequency shifter and sample-and-hold effects before and after delay lines * each set of sinewave components can be filtered * all the parameters can be instantly automated with gesture recording !!! Please note that this effect consumes much CPU and requires a modern device. ====================== Quick Start: Top row of controls enables different parts of user interface: scenes editor ("scene"), controls switch ("edit") and "zoom" controls When "edit" is switch on, you can show or hide various controls (marked as "ctrl") and switch gesture recording automation for some of them (marked with ">") Main control surface displays sonogram with tracked elements. Colors are set accordingly to the group they are assigned (red-orange-green-blue are for harmonic, inharmonic, 12-edo and others). Each "lane" contains delay time controls. * Triangle facing left is for the start locator, it determines initial delay time * Square moves both start and end locators together * When left locator is first moved you can see the right locator with the same triangle. It shows the end of the selected region, the secondary delay time is determined by the difference between left and right locators * if you drag over the area of the region in a lane, the four-dotted/one circle indicator will change its appearance; this changes the arpeggio mode of the region. If set to leftmost position (one circle) the components go in-sync; if set to maximum value (shown as diagonal line with circles) - components are played sequentially * all settings can be stored as "scene" and multiple scenes can be switched sequentially; there is a set of button to move, add and delete scenes. All scenes will be stored as machine state; it can be exported / imported as a single file or as separate file with current scene in the "setup" view The standalone version always starts with output level set to -70 dB to avoid feedback

Screenshots

Spatializer2 screens
spectwhirl4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Spatializer at 91% against spectwhirl's 33%. Spatializer also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (27 vs 5). spectwhirl's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $9.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Spatializer costs $9.99 and spectwhirl $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Spatializer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Spatializer has 27 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Spatializer's written reviews are positive against 33% of spectwhirl's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spatializer ships an update every 2 months, spectwhirl every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Spatializer versus spectwhirl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpatializerspectwhirl
Price$9.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.8 (27 ratings) — better4.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings27 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.112.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperquantovoxAlexey Nadzharov

Customer experience

Spatializer

All ratings27 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%

spectwhirl

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Spatializer

No in-app purchases

None

spectwhirl

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Spatializer free?
Spatializer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is spectwhirl free?
spectwhirl costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Spatializer or spectwhirl?
Spatializer is rated higher. Spatializer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while spectwhirl averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Spatializer or spectwhirl have ads?
Neither Spatializer nor spectwhirl shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Spatializer or spectwhirl?
Spatializer ships an update every 2 months, and spectwhirl every 5 weeks. Most recently, Spatializer was updated on October 6, 2026 and spectwhirl on September 28, 2026.

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