Open Sound Meter

Overview

Open Sound Meter is a real-time sound-measurement application for tuning audio systems. It best suits audio professionals and technically minded users who need several kinds of system measurements in one project. Its breadth is a strength, but the results are only as dependable as the measurement chain and setup behind them.

Key features

Analysis spans spectrum and SPL readings, magnitude and phase response, impulse response, coherence, group delay, phase delay, spectrogram, step response, impedance, Nyquist plots and crest factor. Real-time measurement and offline file analysis serve different workflows: live system tuning and reviewing recorded material. The range is useful for detailed work, though it makes this a specialist tool rather than a simple loudness meter.

Projects can be saved and reopened, with settings preserved for each measurement. A wavelength calculator, virtual summation, difference and averaging, signal generation, equalization and modelling add practical tools for comparing and shaping system measurements.

The Remote API can share active and stored measurements between Open Sound Meter instances and connect them to third-party applications. The desktop version is described by its maker as open source, with contributions invited on GitHub. Cloud services store measurement and settings data; audio recordings and raw audio data are not transmitted to or stored in the Cloud.

The maker says measurement quality depends on microphones, audio hardware, calibration, settings and conditions. The software alone does not replace required calibration or certification of the measurement chain. That caveat matters: the many analysis views cannot compensate for unsuitable or uncalibrated equipment.

Pricing

The Community plan is free for registered users on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is the no-cost way to use the desktop version, while Pro features require a separate entitlement.

Desktop Pro is a one-time payment for a perpetual Pro entitlement on Windows, macOS and Linux; pricing is custom pricing. It suits desktop users who want Pro without an ongoing Cloud subscription, but Cloud services are excluded.

Pro + Cloud uses custom pricing, billed monthly or yearly. It includes Desktop Pro features and Cloud services during the subscription, with automatic renewal unless cancelled. One user can activate it on up to five devices simultaneously. Cloud data remains viewable for six months after the subscription ends, hidden for a further six months, then deleted if the subscription is not renewed.

The iPad app is sold separately on the Apple App Store at custom pricing and is not included in either desktop entitlement. Paid consultations in Russian or English start at $100 for one session lasting 1–1.5 hours; support is also available by email or through the Facebook group.

Platforms

The Community and desktop Pro versions run on Windows, macOS and Linux. The iPad app is a separate purchase. The platform range covers major desktop systems, but an iPad user must budget separately.

Who it's for

Choose Open Sound Meter if you tune audio systems and want a broad set of measurement views, persistent project settings and tools for comparing measurements. It is less suitable if you need a straightforward meter, or expect software alone to certify a measurement chain.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A wide range of real-time views and offline file analysis supports system tuning beyond spectrum and SPL checks.
• Pro: Saved projects retain each measurement's settings, making measurement work easier to revisit.
• Pro: The Remote API can share measurements with other instances and third-party applications.
• Con: Pro entitlements are custom pricing, and Cloud services require a renewing subscription.
• Con: The iPad app is sold separately, not bundled with either desktop plan.
• Con: Reliable results still depend on the hardware, calibration and measurement conditions.

Alternatives

Audio Analysis Software is the category list for comparing more tools.

• Open Audio Analyzer is worth considering if you want a free option with Android support as well as desktop and iOS platforms.
• Room EQ Wizard suits users seeking free room and audio measurement, single-channel capture, a real-time analyzer and EQ tools on Linux, macOS or Windows.
• Youlean Loudness Meter is a better fit for loudness-focused work, with film, TV and gaming presets and LU, INT, TP, LRA, PLR and DR readouts; its free plan supports mono, stereo and 5.1 channels.
• MeldaProduction MAnalyzer is a free macOS and Windows effect included in MFreeFXBundle.
• Voxengo SPAN is a free real-time FFT spectrum analyzer plugin for macOS and Windows.
• Smaart is a paid alternative for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
• MediaInfo is a free option for digital media analysis across desktop, mobile, web and self-hosted platforms.
• AFMG SysTune is a paid Windows alternative.

Verdict

Open Sound Meter is a strong choice for audio-system tuning when a broad set of measurement views, reusable projects and integration tools matter. Its central limitation is that sound results depend on a properly calibrated measurement chain, while Pro and Cloud costs are custom-priced. Look elsewhere for a simpler meter or a tool whose scope better matches a narrower analysis task.