# The Absolute Sound vs CH Controller

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CH Controller at none against The Absolute Sound's 49. CH Controller also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). The Absolute Sound's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Absolute Sound sells 49 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. CH Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

The Absolute Sound ships an update every 4 months, CH Controller every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Absolute Sound | CH Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.8 (93 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-absolute-sound/id966988916/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **93** | — |
| Positive reviews | 6.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 79 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nextscreen Services, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/589458179) | [CH Precision Sarl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809139233) |

## What reviewers say

### The Absolute Sound

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-absolute-sound/id966988916)

Explore expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music. This app guides enthusiasts to components and recordings that faithfully reproduce concert hall sounds. Access digital editions through purchases and subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Expert audio reviews, Music journalism, Component recommendations, Concert hall sound reproduction, Digital editions, Subscription access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (49)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the absolute sound | $9.99 | per year |
| 2022 November | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Directory | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 February | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 January | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2023 December | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2023 November | $1.99 | one-time |
| May/June 2024 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 March | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 April | $1.99 | one-time |
| Sep-26 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Fall 2026 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Mar-26 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Jan-26 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 April | $1.99 | one-time |
| June/July 2023 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 July | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 October | $1.99 | one-time |
| Feb-26 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Apr-26 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 September | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 November | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 August | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 March | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 May | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 April | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 March | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 February | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2025 January | $1.99 | one-time |
| March 2023 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 December | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 November | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 September | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2023 September | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 October | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 September | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 October | $1.99 | one-time |
| Directory 2024 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2022 January | $1.99 | one-time |
| 2024 February | $1.99 | one-time |
| July/August 2024 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Issue 251 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 257 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 261 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 263 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 267 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 271 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 254 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Issue 262 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great magazine content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App constantly not working
- 🐛 Subscription issues
- 🐛 Lost access to purchased issues
- 🐛 Login problems
- 🐛 App crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Perpetual spinning wheel
- App not working
- Constantly loses issues
- Latest update removed current issues
- App forgot subscription

**Requested features**

- Fix the app
- Make the app work
- Restore access to purchased issues
- Allow restoration of iTunes purchases
- Fix the perpetual spinning wheel


### CH Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ch-controller/id6744744401)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Absolute Sound free?

The Absolute Sound is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CH Controller free?

CH Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do The Absolute Sound or CH Controller have ads?

Neither The Absolute Sound nor CH Controller shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Absolute Sound or CH Controller?

The Absolute Sound ships an update every 4 months, and CH Controller every 6 weeks. Most recently, The Absolute Sound was updated on September 19, 2026 and CH Controller on September 13, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*