Head-to-head · Best Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2 vs Universal Audio Volt Series

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 (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about professional musicians seeking studio-grade performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2

4.5

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 Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Audio Interfaces

Universal Audio Volt Series

4.4

5 sources3 derived$199as of Jul 31

The Universal Audio Volt 476P sits at the top of the Volt series, with four analog preamp inputs and two headphone outputs against the Volt 476's two inputs and one headphone output. Reviewers praised its studio-grade tracking, helped by selectable UREI 1176-derived compression models and vintage tube preamp emulation. It runs bus-powered in limited configurations, and the software bundle includes Ableton Live Lite and Celemony Melodyne. Some setups will need a dedicated power supply, and reviewers found the smooth plastic knobs ergonomically suboptimal. Bedroom producers and beginning recordists who want a full-featured 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA interface with the I/O for multi-mic tracking sessions are the target.

Strengths

— Four analog preamp inputs with UREI 1176-derived compression model presets
— Vintage toggle emulates characteristics of the Universal Audio tube 610 console preamplifier
— Supports bus-powered operation via USB-C cable in limited configurations

Watch-outs

— Requires dedicated power supply in some setups due to higher power draw
— Smooth plastic knobs may be ergonomically suboptimal for some users

$199 · Check Price on Amazon Full 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

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.

Universal Audio Volt Series

The Universal Audio Volt Series stands out with its UREI 1176-derived compression models and vintage tube preamp emulation, features not found in the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen or the Audient iD4 MkII. While it's more expensive than the Behringer UMC22, it offers studio-grade tracking capabilities that the budget option lacks, and unlike the Focusrite Vocaster Two, it's designed for multi-mic tracking rather than podcasting.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Universal Audio Apollo X GEN 2	Universal Audio Volt Series
Inputs	4x XLR-1/4" Combo	4
Outputs	2x Balanced 1/4" TRS	2
Preamps	4x Unison-enabled	—
Connectivity	Thunderbolt 3	—
Bit Depth	24-bit	24-bit
Sample Rate	—	24-bit/192 kHz
Power	—	Bus-powered via USB-C in limited configurations
Headphone Jack	—	1/4" jack

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