Head-to-head · Best Audio Interfaces

Audient iD4 MkII vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about beginners seeking user-friendly features — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Audio Interfaces

Audient iD4 MkII

4.5

$232.36as of Jul 1

The Audient iD4 MkII offers solid build quality and professional performance in a compact desktop interface. Reviews highlight its all-metal construction, excellent noise performance with a -114.8 dB A-weighted noise floor, and good dynamic range of 115.0 dB. However, some reviewers noted the volume knob's lack of robustness and the fact that volume settings don't persist between power cycles. While it provides good technical specifications, it lacks input monitoring hardware that's present on its sibling model, the iD14 MkII. This makes it suitable for solo recording setups but may disappoint users seeking more advanced monitoring features.

Strengths

— All-metal construction with solid heft and professional appearance
— Excellent technical performance with low noise floor (-114.8 dB A-weighted)
— Good dynamic range (115.0 dB A-weighted)

Watch-outs

— Volume knob feels less robust compared to other models
— Volume level does not persist between power cycles
— No input monitoring on hardware (unlike iD14 MkII)

$232.36 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Audio Interfaces

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

4.6

$189.99as of Jul 1

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen offers a refreshed design with improved build quality and new features like Auto Gain and updated gain halos. However, Audio Science Review found significant issues with its DAC performance, noting that distortion decreases at higher internal volume levels in an unexpected manner. The interface's ADC input saturation at 1.7 volts and subpar headphone output also limit its appeal. While it's a solid choice for beginners seeking an entry-level interface with user-friendly features, professionals will likely find better options elsewhere.

Strengths

— Includes Auto Gain feature for beginner-friendly automatic gain adjustment
— Features updated Dynamic Gain Halos that visually indicate input levels
— Provides dedicated XLR inputs on the back panel for condenser microphones

Watch-outs

— DAC distortion performance is below expected standards according to Audio Science Review
— ADC input saturation occurs at 1.7 volts, limiting dynamic range

$189.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Audient iD4 MkII

The Audient iD4 MkII offers excellent technical performance with a low noise floor and good dynamic range, surpassing the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen and Behringer UMC22 in these areas. However, it lacks the analog preamp features of the Universal Audio Volt Series and the specialized podcasting capabilities of the Focusrite Vocaster Two, making it more suitable for solo recording setups rather than multi-mic tracking or podcasting.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

Unlike the Focusrite Vocaster Two, which is tailored for podcasters, the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen focuses on beginner-friendly features like Auto Gain and visual gain halos, making it more approachable for newcomers. However, it falls short compared to the Universal Audio Volt Series in terms of analog preamp quality and UREI 1176 compression models, and it's also outperformed by the Audient iD4 MkII in technical specs like noise floor and dynamic range.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Audient iD4 MkII	Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen
Inputs	2	2 XLR, 2 instrument inputs
Outputs	2	2 balanced TRS outputs
Connectivity	USB-C, 3.5mm jack, 1/4" jack	USB-C
Sample Rate	96kHz	up to 24-bit / 192kHz operation
Bit Depth	24-bit	24-bit
Preamps	JFET	69dB of gain
Power	Phantom power available	External 5V DC USB-C
Headphone Jack	3.5mm and 1/4-inch	1/4" jack

← See the full ranking of best audio interfaces