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2x2 interface, which to choose

sweetchaos

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I'm looking for a 2x2 audio interface.

A “2x2 audio interface” refers to an audio interface with two input channels and two output channels. This means it can handle two separate audio signals coming in (e.g., microphones or instruments) and send out two separate audio signals (e.g., to monitors or headphones).

4 options I'm considering (in no particular order):

1. Topping E2x2
- Buy direct from aliexpress for CDN$230
- AudioScienceReview - Oct 2023

2. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface Gen 3 (Previous Gen)
- Outdated, since Gen 4 came out
- Long-MCquade CDN$270
- AudioScienceReview - Oct 2019

3. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface Gen 4 (Current Gen)
- Long-Mcquade CDN$290
- No ASR review

4. Motu M2
- Long-Mcquade CDN$270
- AudioScienceReview - Jan 2021

I listen to IEMs a lot, but not very loud.
Primary purpose would be for recording of voice, using dynamic microphone, hence the interface.
Primarily for MacOS.

Which would you choose and why? Thanks in advance.
 
There should be a E2x2 OTG replacing the E2x2… not sure if it is out yet or not…

I am also considering buying the E2x2 OTG
 
Not sold on aliexpress.com yet, which means it's not out yet. But I see it on topping.pro website, so it should be coming soon.
 
Is there a particular reason to consider toppings?
I remember using Topping E2x2 around the time it was released in the beginning, but I suffered a lot because of the instability of the software.
 
If you are using dynamic mics, the gen 4 Focusrite is worth it as it has a few db more gain according to specs. The Topping and Motu have a bit better specs in some regards. Any would probably do what you need.

You might think about a second hand Babyface in the older original configuration. RME supports their gear software-wise for nearly forever. Even a 1st or 2nd gen Focusrite 2i2 or 2i4 would do. You might get one of those quite inexpensively.
 
Not sold on aliexpress.com yet, which means it's not out yet. But I see it on topping.pro website, so it should be coming soon.
In europe Audiophonics sells the Topping E2x2 OTG for a while now. According to their website it's in stock. So i'm pretty shure it's already out. Maybe out of stock or something like that.


I have the Focusrite 2i2 Gen4 and am happy with it. But I'm not using it with HP and the impedance of HP out is higher as it should be in Gen4 (ironically not in Gen3 afaik):
4th Gen thread incl. youtube review
 
@sweetchaos Did you check out Julian Krause's measurements on YouTube yet? They're very in-depth, honestly more than Amir's.

Here are his most up-to-date rankings/comparison charts WRT Mic input and HP output:
Screenshot_20240628-105717_YouTube.png Screenshot_20240628-105849_YouTube.png Screenshot_20240628-105929_YouTube.png
Screenshot_20240628-110107_YouTube.png

Though I highly recommend you check out the full reviews of your shortlisted models.

The Gen 4 has very high output impedance (50Ω), so a poor choice for IEMs which have often quite variable impedance.
See here:

Also, the M2 has a concerning issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=2532&v=gMuA-2FbJxE
 
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Looks like Focusrite is a community favorite. :)

Topping looks to be brand new to interfaces (and interface software), so perhaps I'll feel more confident in their 2nd generation product. Topping has a history of rushing products to market without extensive testing.
Wow, Motu M2 has a concering issue indeed, which looks like a deal-breaker for me, since I don't want to worry about this.

It's a shame about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 4's headphone performance, but I don't see this as a deal-breaker, so I'll need to test it for myself.

Gen 4 introduced the concept of `auto gain` and `clip safe`, which I like very much. Here's a breakdown of what these features do:
1. **Auto Gain**:
- This feature automatically sets the optimal input level for your recordings. When you activate Auto Gain, you play, sing, or speak into the microphone for a few seconds, and the interface adjusts the gain to the correct level to ensure a clean signal without distortion.
- 3rd Generation: This feature is not available. Users must manually adjust the gain levels to avoid clipping and ensure a clean recording.
2. **Clip Safe**:
- Clip Safe helps to manage gain levels in real-time to prevent clipping. If the input signal suddenly becomes too loud, Clip Safe automatically reduces the gain to prevent distortion, saving the take from being ruined by excessive levels.
- 3rd Generation: This feature is also not available. Users must monitor and manually adjust the gain levels during recording to prevent clipping and distortion.

Conclusion:
I'll be watching for a sale (they go frequently on sale) for the Gen4 and if I find the headphone high output impedance an issue, i'll return it.
Otherwise, Gen 3 would be my 2nd choice, since I don't see any major issues, as per Amir's review.

Thanks everyone.
 
They're selling the old 3rd gen 2i2 for as much as an M2 in Canada still? Man, they're really ripping you guys off.

Meanwhile, over here at Thomann the 3rd gen 2i2 costs 116€ on sale (less than a 4th gen Solo), the 4th gen is 190€ and the M2 is up to 233€. 4i4 is 167€ on sale for the 3rd gen and 279€ for the 4th gen. Even the suggested retail prices for the 3rd gen are substantially lower (e.g. €149.99 for the 2i2 and 199.99 for the 4i4).

The headphone output in the 2i2 3rd gen is probably fine for IEMs, it's only when it's well outside of Class A operation (e.g. with less sensitive fullsize headphones of similarly low impedance) where it'll reveal its potato nature. I mean, there's a lone NJM8065 on +/-5 V in there with near-zero output impedance, what do you expect. Shared return resistance obviously is an issue as well if it can't hit 40 dB of channel sep with 32 ohms.

The effect of a given amount of output impedance on IEMs is going to depend greatly on their impedance response. Dynamic driver jobs typically don't care much at all, multi-driver BA jobs are a different story altogether. So the model in question is going to be important. That being said, it's not like you particularly care for the last bit of fidelity in live monitoring.

Aside from its rather low input impedance which may make your mics a bit duller sounding, I would reckon the E2x2 is a better interface than the 2i2 3rd gen pretty much across the board. Among the 4th gen there is a point to be made for the 4i4 with its lower headphone output impedance, impeccable channel balance (digital volume control) and additional well-performing line-in... but it does cost a fair bit more than you're seemingly willing to spend.

BTW, it appears Long & McQuade have the SSL 2 for $239CDN, not a bad deal either (uses the same AKM codec as the E2x2 and is along similar lines as far as the preamps go). The (Audient) EVO 4 @ $179 is at least worth considering (used to be AK5552 / 4452 but switched during the chip crisis I think). The UAA Volt 2 at $234 on sale is another one I'd look at if you want a CS4272 job about as solid as they come... having to register an account to download ASIO drivers is annoying, it's true.
 
Would you consider doing a monthly-rental on a few Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 models for a hands-on trial?

Do you have a crystal-ball which tells you that you will NOT find a need for the 4i4 gen4, in the near future?
;)
 
Shure SM7B would be the end-goal dynamic microphone, but I’ll start with something cheaper for now.

The Shure MV7X is an excellent choice if you are looking for a microphone that offers high-quality audio close to the Shure SM7B at a more affordable price. It provides professional-grade sound quality and robust build but requires an XLR connection. If you need versatility in connectivity (USB and XLR), the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB or Samson Q2U might be better choices. However, for the best sound quality at a reasonable price, the Shure MV7X is a strong contender.
 
For what it's worth, I wanted to verify some measurements from my Umik so plugged my 1st gen Focusrite 2i2 into my M2mini and and used my old Dayton EMM-6 with the same old saved calibration files and everything worked perfectly first try in REW.

So yeah, Focusrite software maturity with Mac gets my vote too.
 
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