2. misc-audio
  3. 118897-70970

Are phone app spectrum analyzers accurate?

I'm constantly amazed at the cool things a smart phone can do.  There are several spec. analyzer apps available but I'm wondering if they're really accurate enough to use for system tuning?  I've tried a couple of these and I like Speedy Spectrum and Spectrum Analyze (for android) the best for features and apparent accuracy.
My old Heathkit portable analyzer looks to be toast (yeah--I'm that old).

What are the thoughts from the hive?
guy48065
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
RTA Audio and Audio Tool apps work great for home audio use, and are calibrated for the iPhone microphone.
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ncarv
983 posts
 
I use RTA for a rough guide. It seems to match up pretty closely with the hi-tech program my dealer used to calibrate my DSP.

Genelec Speaker Angle is useful to align your speakers.
guy48065 OP
7 posts
 
Calibrated for the iPhone? Which model?

Any app could equalize a cheap mic--but the apps don't ask what phone it's installed on, don't have a calibration feature, and don't have a differential mode.
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ncarv
983 posts
 
RTA paid version has a calibration feature.
coolhunter
52 posts
 
They are as good as there mic's, which in most phones is pretty poor.  Also, if the mic is not calibrated, the results you get can be misleading. So, in the end it really depends on what you are using the app for.  Certainly the results could not be called 'professional' standards.
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