Speaker Polarity is an iPhone app that tests a speaker for correct polarity (sometimes called “phase”).

See our new demo video to see this app in action.

To use Speaker Polarity, you need to send our proprietary test signal to your speaker. Then, holding the iPhone near the speaker, the polarity is read using the internal microphone (located on the bottom of the phone).  Speaker Pop generates the signal, and you can either stream it over Bluetooth or AirPlay, or download from our downloads page to get the test signal, as a WAV file, copy it to a USB stick..

Next, play the test signal through the speaker and read the result. Check the signal strength meter to make sure that you are within the working range — anywhere above “low” and below “high” should work fine.

Speaker Polarity Main Screen

Here is the main Speaker Polarity screen:

The algorithm used for testing speaker polarity is quite advanced, and is designed to prevent false triggers and bad readings. It will work with any type of speaker, small or large, and will work quite well at a distance, as long as the test signal is strong enough.

The algorithm automatically determines the driver type and finds the polarity for any driver. Note that you may need louder signals to test subwoofers.

Signal Files to Download

Download signal files from our Downloads page.

Copy the file to a USB stick, or even to a CD or DVD..

We will be making home theater test DVDs available soon. When you play the DVD, the Speaker Pop Signal is sent to all 5 speakers and the subwoofer. Just bring the iPhone near the speaker you want to test, 6″ to 2′ will usually work well) and read the results.

Surround Generator for Apple TV

We have incorporated the speaker polarity test signal into our Surround Generator app for Apple TV. Using this app, you can route the test signal to any individual 5.1 AC3 or any of the 9.6.1 Atmos channels.