Comparison

LARSA Analyzer vs Bark Filter

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

Head to head
About

LARSA Analyzer

This tool measures and analyzes impulse responses for audio systems like loudspeakers and home theaters. It helps you tune your audio setup for optimal performance in any listening environment, bringing professional-level analysis to your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Impulse response measurement
  • IR averaging
  • IR windowing
  • Energy Time Curves
  • Delay time calculation
  • Save and recall measurements
  • iCloud support
Features
Read full description

LARSA, or Loudspeaker And Room System Analyzer, is a powerful impulse response measurement and analysis tool. It is ideally suited for measuring loudspeakers in rooms, multi-speaker setups, car audio systems, home theater systems or larger, installed loudspeaker systems. It is an easy way to profile a system and give you the information you need to equalize or tune your loudspeakers for the best possible performance in your listening space. LARSA brings measurement power and convenience previously available only on desktop computers. Key Features of LARSA include: * Easy-to-learn single-tap recording of an impulse response. * IR averaging features. Perform test/re-test analyses of measurements or a make a spatial average. * IR windowing features. * Energy Time Curves. * Delay time calculation for time-alignment in bi- and tri-amp applications. * Save and recall functionality. * Full iCloud support for easy access to your measurements on your desktop or laptop.

About

Bark Filter

This audio effect processor mimics the human ear's critical band filtering and compression. It offers a multi-band compressor with up to 27 bands for precise audio manipulation and analysis.

Highlights
  • Multi-band dynamic range compressor (up to 27 bands)
  • Variable number of compressor bands
  • Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup Gain controls
  • Linear phase precision filters
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
  • AudioUnit (AUv3), Inter-app audio, and Audiobus 3 compatible
  • Low latency live usage
Features
Read full description

Bark Filter - Critical Band Analyser/Filter/Compressor The multi band filter in Bark takes the approach to match the reception characteristic of the gate where all sounds must pass through: the human ear. The ear behaves as if it contains a bank of filters, each filter passing frequencies within their respective critical band. Two tones apart more than the frequency dependant critical bandwidth are perceived as separate tones. For this reason Bark contains a filter bank with 27 very steep bandpass filters matching the critical bandwidth characteristic of the human ear. In fact, the human ear have also its own built in multi band compression system which are based on the critical bands. Why the name Bark ? The Bark scale is a frequency scale on which equal distances correspond with perceptually equal distances. Above about 500 Hz this scale is more or less equal to a logarithmic frequency axis. Below 500 Hz the Bark scale becomes more and more linear. Multiband compressors can act differently on different frequency bands. The advantage of multiband compression over full-bandwidth compression is that unneeded audible gain changes or "pumping" in other frequency bands is not caused by changing signal levels in a single frequency band. Bark can act both as single band compressor and with up to 27 bands in multiband mode by linking critical bands. The linear phase filter bank with its steep filter slopes can be used for unusually pronounced filter effects too... Features: • Multi band dynamic range compressor with up to 27 bands • Variable number of compressor bands (1..27) • Threshold/Ratio Attack/Release and Makeup Gain • Linear phase precision filters for maximal transparency • Real time pre/post processing calibrated spectrum analyser • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving. • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder

Screenshots

LARSA Analyzer3 screens
Bark Filter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Bark Filter at $3.99 against LARSA Analyzer's $29.99. Bark Filter also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

LARSA Analyzer costs $29.99 and Bark Filter $3.99 up front. LARSA Analyzer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Bark Filter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Bark Filter holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bark Filter has 29 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of LARSA Analyzer's written reviews are positive against 72% of Bark Filter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LARSA Analyzer ships an update every 6 months, Bark Filter every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
LARSA Analyzer versus Bark Filter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLARSA AnalyzerBark Filter
Price$29.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.3 (3 ratings)4.8 (29 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews72.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings329 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew SmithHarry Gohs

Customer experience

LARSA Analyzer

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Bark Filter

All ratings29 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

LARSA Analyzer

One-time1
  • Filter Design Option$9.99
None

Bark Filter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LARSA Analyzer free?
LARSA Analyzer costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Bark Filter free?
Bark Filter costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LARSA Analyzer or Bark Filter?
Bark Filter is rated higher. LARSA Analyzer averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Bark Filter averages 4.8 from 29 ratings.
Do LARSA Analyzer or Bark Filter have ads?
Neither LARSA Analyzer nor Bark Filter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LARSA Analyzer or Bark Filter?
LARSA Analyzer ships an update every 6 months, and Bark Filter every 3 months. Most recently, LARSA Analyzer was updated on September 23, 2026 and Bark Filter on September 11, 2026.

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