Head-to-head · Best Audio Interfaces

Audient iD4 MkII vs Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2

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

Audient iD4 MkII comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about solo recording setups with technical demands — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #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 →

Ranked #6 in Best Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2

4.1

$1,099as of Jul 1

The Universal Audio Apollo X Gen 2 represents a significant refresh to the Apollo line, maintaining Thunderbolt connectivity and enhancing audio performance with improved dynamic range and lower THD. Reviewers praised its industry-leading Unison preamps, pristine conversion quality, and real-time UAD processing capabilities. The integration of Sonarworks SoundID correction adds value for monitoring accuracy. However, the premium pricing and lack of included Thunderbolt cable were noted as drawbacks. This interface appeals to professional musicians and producers seeking studio-grade performance in a desktop-friendly form factor.

Strengths

— Industry-leading Unison preamps with analog emulation
— Pristine AD/DA conversion with wide dynamic range
— Real-time UAD plugin processing for zero-latency tracking

Watch-outs

— Premium price point
— No Thunderbolt cable included in the box

$1,099 · 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.

Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2

The Universal Audio Apollo X Gen 2 excels in industry-leading Unison preamps and real-time UAD processing, features not available in the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen or Audient iD4 MkII. While it's more expensive than the Behringer UMC22, it provides pristine AD/DA conversion and professional-grade performance that the budget option cannot match, and unlike the Focusrite Vocaster Two, it's built for professional studios rather than podcasting.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Audient iD4 MkII	Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2
Inputs	2	4x XLR-1/4" Combo
Outputs	2	2x Balanced 1/4" TRS
Connectivity	USB-C, 3.5mm jack, 1/4" jack	Thunderbolt 3
Sample Rate	96kHz	24-bit / 192 kHz
Bit Depth	24-bit	24-bit
Preamps	JFET	4x Unison-enabled
Power	Phantom power available	—
Headphone Jack	3.5mm and 1/4-inch	—

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