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Head-to-head · Best Audio Interfaces

Focusrite Vocaster Two 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.

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The short answer

Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about professional musicians seeking studio-grade performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Focusrite Vocaster Two
Ranked #5 in Best Audio Interfaces
Focusrite Vocaster Two
5 sources$106.48as of Jul 31

Focusrite built the Vocaster Two for podcasters: two XLR inputs, phone connectivity with mix-minus, and Bluetooth in a compact chassis. Reviewers found it easy to set up and rated the audio quality solid, but $299 is steep if you only record occasionally. It plays well with macOS and iPad, though the deeper features live in the Vocaster Hub software. It covers a lot of ground that most users will never touch, which makes it a better fit for serious podcasters who want one box that does everything.

Strengths
  • — Includes two XLR inputs with phantom power support
  • — Built-in phone connection with mix-minus for echo reduction
  • — Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio input
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive compared to basic audio interfaces at $299
  • — Requires dedicated software (Vocaster Hub) for advanced features
$106.48 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Audio Interfaces
Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2
3 sourcesall derived$1,199as of Jul 31

The Universal Audio Apollo X Gen 2 is a substantial refresh of the Apollo line, keeping Thunderbolt connectivity while improving dynamic range and lowering THD. Reviewers pointed to the industry-leading Unison preamps, the pristine conversion quality, and real-time UAD processing, with Sonarworks SoundID correction now integrated for monitoring accuracy. The premium price and the missing Thunderbolt cable were both noted as drawbacks. Professional musicians and producers who want studio-grade performance on a desk are who it's for.

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
$1,199 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Focusrite Vocaster Two

The Focusrite Vocaster Two is unique in its phone connectivity with mix-minus and Bluetooth capabilities, features absent in the Universal Audio Volt Series and the Audient iD4 MkII. However, it's more expensive than the Behringer UMC22 and lacks the technical performance and build quality of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen, making it less suitable for users needing raw audio quality or budget-conscious buyers.

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

SpecFocusrite Vocaster TwoUniversal Audio Apollo X GEN 2
Inputs2 XLR4x XLR-1/4" Combo
OutputsStereo 3.5mm jack, Camera output2x Balanced 1/4" TRS
ConnectivityUSB-C, BluetoothThunderbolt 3
Sample Rate48kHz—
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsJFET4x Unison-enabled
PowerBus-powered via USB-C—
Headphone Jack1/4" jack—
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