Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 vs Presonus AudioBox

[PuroMac]

I actually had the audiobox usb and after I purchased the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 I gladly sold the audiobox usb. The Focusite Scarlett 2i2 by far is better. Here are my reasons. First I took a Shure SM7B into the Audiobox and had to turn the gain knob all the way and could not believe that I was hearing so much static, that I could not record with it. Any other microphone does seem to work ok as long as the gain isnt over 75R% The preamps on the Audiobox are noisy and do have a ton of static if turned up to 75% or more. Second and the major deal breaker for me, is that I could not run a line in signal into the audiobox. I needed a tube sound for a vocal track so I connected a mic to a Presonus Tube Pre then Out to the Audiobox usb and it was a pain trying to get the levels right. I could not turn the gain on the audiobox more than 25% or it would clip. The sound from the audiobox made the tubepre sound horrible, muddy, and messy. Now to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I did not expect the Focusrite to be able to power the Shure SM7B as the audiobox could not do it cleanly, but
Wow! I was amazed. I did have to turn the gain up to about 75-80 but it was super clean and the mic sounded amazing. I even turned up the gain all the way and of course it sounded louder but super clean and clear. I then connected the microphone into a Presonus BlueTube then into the Focusrite and bam! simply amazing. I turned the gain on the Presonus BlueTube to about 65% then turned up the gain on the focusrite to about 30%-35% and it sounded awesome, Clear and Warm. The tube sound was amazing on the vocals. I even love the fact that the led rings around the gain knobs, flash red when its peaking letting you dial it down just enough to get the proper signal. The Audiobox had a small circle led light that was harder to see. The focusrite preamps can handle line in signals properly, just make sure the line in signal is carried thru a trs cable. If you insert an xlr cable it will assume its a mic signal and not work properly. Lastly, the Focusrite comes with a plugin suite that actually works pretty good. The eq and reverb plugins I actually use and love. Simple and easy to use. The compressor, limiter, and gate, I do not use that much as I am more confortable using the compressor, limiter and gate that come with my daw. That is not to say that they are not good, there actually pretty solid and wil get the job done. To all, this is just my two cents, this is just my opinion, but there is no competition get the Focusrite.

[JamesClark1991]

I hear a lot of people complain about the headphone level on the 2i2. Mine is PLENTY loud turned up to 12 o clock let along 5 o clock. Maybe they updated them recently?

[ramonovski]

Originally Posted by JamesClark1991

I hear a lot of people complain about the headphone level on the 2i2. Mine is PLENTY loud turned up to 12 o clock let along 5 o clock. Maybe they updated them recently?

Same here, 'bought it a few months ago on ebay.
I've tested with normal impedance (40 to 60ohms) headphones, though, not any of those with high impedance.

[joshgura]

Headphone Impedance can range from 32 ohm to 600 ohm, so I think it's actually very important what the headphone amps built into these units are able to push.

I found this thread searching Google for that exact point, and it will be a deciding factor in what I purchase.