Mbox 3 vs Apogee Duet 2: Pros and Cons

[Joe Porto]

I sold my Duet (1), and now have an Mbox 3 (standard USB).

Advantage of Mbox:
MIDI i/o
S/PIDF i/o
Direct monitoring w/ Reverb/Delay in Cue Mix
Built in tuner app
Separate knobs for input and monitor levels
No breakout cable
Works with Mac or Windows OS
Price (I paid $379 for my Mbox on Amazon w/ the 15% off deal they have right now).

I use it with my Macbook Pro 2.53 Core 2 Duo with PT10HD (I have and HD system as well). I regularly use 32 sample buffer for very low latency using Eleven, and a bunch of Avid instruments. I don't miss the Duet at all.

[nst7]

In addition to the things Joe mentioned, I have personally compared the Mbox 3 and the Duet 2 for sound quality and in my opinion the the Mbox 3 sounds better in every way.

[richpjr]

I looked very long and hard at both of these and ended up with the MBox 3. IMO the Duet 2 had slightly better converters but the difference to my ears was pretty small and the items Joe Porto mentioned made it a pretty easy decision for the MBox.

[Kaplans]

richpjr:

can you elaborate more on the duet 2 converters being better? Are you talking about the DA output or AD? How did you listen and compare them?

[richpjr]

Originally Posted by Kaplans

richpjr:

can you elaborate more on the duet 2 converters being better? Are you talking about the DA output or AD? How did you listen and compare them?

I only got to compare the DA output in an semi-treated room for about a half hour comparing the two on a pair of HS80M monitors (same ones I have at home). Not a huge different between the two at all and the mbox easily wins on features and price - for my needs.

[RazerVocals]

No Offense To any poster, but the apogee Duet 2 A/D/A are miles above any avid product (other then the HD line) No Mbox Product comes close to comparison. I am talking straight converters here though. I have ran both, MBOX3, Apogee Duet 2, Symphony, Avid 192, and Ensemble.

In order of convertors.

1) Symphony
2) 192
3)Duet 2 (Same convertors as Rosestta Series, but using technology taken from the new Symphony series)
4)Ensemble
5)Mbox 3

Now this i just A/D/A PS there are better A/D/A then either of these. (Benchmark or the top of my head)

Never use the A/D/A Pres if you are serious about any recordings. When looking for an i/o only think convertors. Mbox's are noisy , sloppy , loose bottom end. Who ever says different has never done an honest A/B the only one that may raise a legitimate argument would be the Symphony Vs The 192 (But if you have either you really cannot go wrong) The Duet 2 are on par with the Rosetta's and are miles above any mbox series.

Though, Mic, Pre and performance is where the real sound comes from!

[Qronik_dakid]

RazerVoicals LOL i wanted to get an Mbox Pro but your post just made me think twice...just taking everyhing into consideration and not just the quality of the converters, what do you think is the best interface between Mbox Pro, Mbox 3 and Apogee Duet?

[mds]

As a counter argument, my testing has shown me that the Mbox 3 Pro is a really good sounding box. Compared to several far more expensive A/D/As it held its own just fine. It gets a bad rap because of previous generation Mboxes. If the Mbox 3's feature set and price fits your criteria, don't skip it for the A/D/A.

[awhitebeats]

My Mbox 3 just quit working. Beware of the static issue as well. I just dumped it

[danieljz]

Originally Posted by Qronik_dakid

RazerVoicals LOL i wanted to get an Mbox Pro but your post just made me think twice...just taking everyhing into consideration and not just the quality of the converters, what do you think is the best interface between Mbox Pro, Mbox 3 and Apogee Duet?

I have AB'd the Duet with various Mbox in AD and DA, and I have to say the difference is quite present. You have a way more controlled low end and the clarity is outstanding. I would say Mbox is noisier as well.