Deciding between Topping e1x2 and Audient id14

[Rasnik]

I’ve seen a lot of discussion of these different interfaces but rarely direct comparison and when it’s done, it’s said in passing relating to another topic entirely. So I just wanted to consolidate some opinions to judge what steps to make in my future ownership.
To be clear, I already bought the Topping e1x2, very recent and considering returning it and going with the Audient id14 + a dac/amp for low impedance headphones and IEMs. Now I don’t consider myself that knowledgeable of the audio space so I’ll try my best to engage properly.
So far, the e1x2 has been great sounding, but there’s a couple quirks that are bugging me. The main thing is I’m having a very difficult time tuning my output exactly how I want the different playbacks to be. I’m used to a GoXLR and that was super simple. But with the e1x2 even when setting, let’s say discord for example, to -15 db a persons voice I’m hearing can fluctuate from very quiet and hard to hear over other sources, to ear piercingly loud whenever they speak louder. Now obviously it sounds like that’s being caused from the mic on their end, but I never experienced this huge range of sound on the goxlr, I’d adjust volumes to where I desired and they’d generally stay at that level. Idk maybe I’m being silly hahah, and the goxlr was doing its own internal alteration of those sounds.
Another quirk is the built quality, it feels very meh, even when plugging in the front headphone jack, it flexes inward and feels like it can be broken by a bit more than normal force.
Also I’ve read people speak about topping being unreliable and not really that trusted
Sorry if this has been a bit difficult to follow, but overall those 3 reasons are pushing me to return the e1x2 and go with a audient id14 + dac/amp even tho it’s a steeper cost. If anyone can provide some kind of clarification, maybe that audio range I’m hearing is completely normal and after using the goxlr for 6 years I just got used to whatever that thing was doing. Thanks!

 

[Redacted]

I'm not getting the feeling that your test method is too good! How do know mics are being used consistently?

I assume you are recording vocals to some kind of DAW, and you can probably process the sound there (compress it for example)...

 

[Rasnik]

I'm not getting the feeling that your test method is too good! How do know mics are being used consistently?

I assume you are recording vocals to some kind of DAW, and you can probably process the sound there (compress it for example)...

sorry, I should have specified things better. Let me try some more with my limited knowledge. I’m just trying to adjust the audio for my personal preference as I don’t often record.
I’m using the topping pro software, I’ve assigned different applications to different playbacks in my Mix A, and am sending that mix to my headphones.
So I have discord on playback 1/2 and I’ve been testing this with the same person everytime, they have some cheap usb mic.
Previously, with my goxlr, I didn’t have any of this odd variation of volume. I’d just adjust to what sounded good to my ears and the volume from their mic over discord would never reach levels loud enough hurt my ears, or quiet enough to where they are intelligible.
With the e1x2 however, even when lowering playback 1/2 by -15 db, they can speak normally and be very quiet. But then speak slightly louder and the sound will blow out my ears.
I know this isn’t the most scientific testing or explanation so that’s why I’m including my previous experience with the goxlr to give context. My thought process is maybe the Topping e1x2 has something weird going on with its output volume curve? Like maybe it exponentially increases or something I don’t know, just guessing. Again I’m not that knowledgeable so I could be getting this whole this entirely wrong and am missing a bit of crucial information, would also appreciate to know that I’m being a dumbass if thats the case lol

 

[Redacted]

Not a dumbass, just doing something a little different to most of us.
I'm off out to see a band, but I'll try to look at your setup tomorrow, but first thing is that it sounds as if at least one source is not in your control ("cheap usb mic"?)

 

[Rasnik]

Not a dumbass, just doing something a little different to most of us.
I'm off out to see a band, but I'll try to look at your setup tomorrow, but first thing is that it sounds as if at least one source is not in your control ("cheap usb mic"?)

Yes that’s audio coming to me through discord

 

[staticV3]

I don't think the E1x2 has the ability to modulate volume by itself.

To check, you could record some audio using Audacity Wasapi Loopback input, which captures Windows' audio before it's processed by your interface.

If the recording fluctuates all the same, then you know that the culprit is upstream.

BTW, Discord has a setting to stabilize output volume. Maybe that's turned off.

 

[Rasnik]

Honestly maybe this is just how normal

I don't think the E1x2 has the ability to modulate volume by itself.

To check, you could record some audio using Audacity Was API Loopback input, which captures Windows' audio before it's processed by your interface.

honestly I think maybe this is how normal interfaces handle audio, and maybe the goxlr was doing something different that I got used to. I’m considering throwing on windows loudness equalization just for that specific playback device that I only use for people’s voices and communications

Also wanted to touch more on if the Audient id14 + dac/amp for low impedance headphones would be a better performing audio solution than just the e1x2. Also taking into account build quality and long term reliability, whether that be physical reliability of the interface or driver support

 

[staticV3]

Also wanted to touch more on if the Audient id14 + dac/amp for low impedance headphones would be a better performing audio solution than just the e1x2.

Only if the E1x2 either:

-Doesn't get loud enough even at 100%, or:
-Audibly distorts/starts clipping before you reach the desired level.

If the Topping plays loud enough and without distortion, then the id14 + DAC/Amp would perform all the same.

 

[Rasnik]

Only if the E1x2 either:

-Doesn't get loud enough even at 100%, or:
-Audibly distorts/starts clipping before you reach the desired level.

If the Topping plays loud enough and without distortion, then the id14 + DAC/Amp would perform all the same.

That’s what I imagined, thanks for the advice, I’m gonna try further tweaking the levels to see if I can get the middle ground I’m looking for. I guess it was the GoXLR managing the audio in a certain way and I got accustomed to that, I saw a handful of posts saying something along those lines but no real discussion or conclusion of that, weird but it can stay a mystery as I’m enjoying the quality of the e1x2 a lot more.