Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)

Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface vs Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface
Audient
Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface
$129
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
$139.99

The Ruling

Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface or Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)? Get the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface.

The Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface wins Preamps, Mic Inputs, Monitoring, Creator Features and Connectivity. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $10.99.

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At a Glance

Where each one actually leads

Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.

CategoryAudient EVO 16 Audio InterfaceFocusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Audio Resolution7.5/1010/10
Preamps10/107/10
Mic Inputs10/105/10
Monitoring10/107.5/10
Creator Features10/105/10
Connectivity10/102.5/10

The Split

What each one wins

Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface

Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.

On paper the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface takes ADAT expansion (Yes), TRS outputs (8, +6), XLR inputs (2, +1) and headphone outputs (2, +1). It also leads on preamp gain and dynamic range. It gives up bus powered and sample rate to the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen). It is the cheaper of the two, by $10.99.

Leads on

  • ADAT Expansion
    Yes
    No

    ADAT lets you add eight more inputs later instead of replacing the interface.

  • TRS Outputs +6
    8
    2

    More TRS outputs allow routing to studio monitors and outboard gear.

  • XLR Inputs +1
    2
    1

    More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.

  • Headphone Outputs +1
    2
    1

    A second headphone output lets a guest monitor without a splitter.

  • Preamp Gain +1dB
    58dB
    57dB

    More gain drives quiet dynamic microphones like the SM7B without a separate booster.

  • Dynamic Range +1dB
    121dB
    120dB

    Wider converter dynamic range means less noise between the quietest and loudest parts of a take.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)

Compact 1-mic USB-C interface for solo creators who need clean voice and instrument input.

On paper the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) takes bus powered (Yes) and sample rate (192kHz, +96kHz). It gives up ADAT expansion and TRS outputs to the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface. That costs $10.99 more than the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface.

Leads on

  • Bus Powered
    Yes
    No

    Bus power means the interface runs off USB alone — no wall adapter to carry or find a socket for.

  • Sample Rate +96kHz
    192kHz
    96kHz

    Higher sample rates capture more audio detail — important for professional recording and mixing.

Where they’re identical

These 6 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.

  • Connection Type usb-c, xlr, trs
  • Bit Depth 24-bit
  • Phantom Power Yes
  • Direct Monitoring Yes
  • Loopback Yes
  • MIDI I/O None

The Record

19 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface and Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen), grouped by area.
Specification
Audient
Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Audio ResolutionFocusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Sample Rate96kHz✓ 192kHz
Max Sample Rateno data192kHz
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsAudient EVO 16 Audio Interface
Preamp Gain✓ 58dB57dB
Dynamic Range✓ 121dB120dB
Mic InputsAudient EVO 16 Audio Interface
XLR Inputs✓ 21
MonitoringAudient EVO 16 Audio Interface
Headphone Outputs✓ 21
Direct MonitoringYesYes
Creator FeaturesAudient EVO 16 Audio Interface
LoopbackYesYes
ADAT Expansion✓ YesNo
MIDI I/ONoneNone
Bundled Softwareno dataHitmaker Expansion, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE
ConnectivityAudient EVO 16 Audio Interface
TRS Outputs✓ 82
Connection Typeusb-c, xlr, trsusb-c, xlr, trs
PowerFocusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Bus PoweredNo✓ Yes
Phantom PowerYesYes
BuildNot enough data
Dimensionsno data143 x 96 x 46.5 mm
Weightno data0.382 kg
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemwindows, macosno data

A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.

Bottom Line

Who each one is for

The Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.

Our pick
Best ValueMost ConnectivityBest for Multi-mic

At $129.00, the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface is the most affordable option in this comparison. It leads in dynamic range (121dB) and preamp gain (58dB). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + Better dynamic range (121dB vs 120dB)
  • + Better preamp gain (58dB vs 57dB)
  • + More XLR inputs (2 vs 1)
  • + More headphone outputs (2 vs 1)
  • × Lower sample rate (96kHz vs 192kHz)
  • × Weaker bus powered (No vs Yes)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want the stronger dynamic range (121dB)
  • ✓ You want the stronger preamp gain (58dB)
  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $10.99 less than the priciest option
  • ✓ You want room for eight more inputs later, without replacing the box

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the highest sample rate available (192kHz)
  • × You need the best bus powered available

Best for value-focused buyers, complex setup builders, multi-person podcasts.

The alternative
Easiest SetupPortability Pick

At $139.99, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) is the most expensive option and doesn't clearly outspec the cheaper alternatives. It leads in sample rate (192kHz) and bus powered (Yes). Fewer ports and inputs — plug in and go.

  • + Higher sample rate (192kHz vs 96kHz)
  • + Better bus powered (Yes vs No)
  • × Weaker dynamic range (120dB vs 121dB)
  • × Weaker preamp gain (57dB vs 58dB)
  • × Fewer XLR inputs (1 vs 2)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 192kHz sample rate for higher-resolution audio
  • ✓ You want the stronger bus powered (Yes)
  • ✓ You need gear you can easily take on the go
  • ✓ You want it to run off USB alone, with no power adapter to carry

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the best dynamic range available
  • × You need the best preamp gain available

Best for beginners, mobile creators, high-resolution audio production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface and Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)?

The clearest difference is ADAT expansion, which the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface has and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 8 specs. They match on 6 specs, including connection type, bit depth and phantom power. Two audio interfaces from Audient and Focusrite, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.

Which is better for streaming, Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface or Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)?

Get the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface. The Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface wins Preamps, Mic Inputs, Monitoring, Creator Features and Connectivity. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $10.99.

What do the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface and Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) have in common?

Both share 6 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), bit depth (24-bit), phantom power (Yes) and direct monitoring (Yes), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.

Is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) worth the extra $11 over the Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface?

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) costs $139.99 against $129.00, a difference of $11. The premium buys bus powered (Yes) and sample rate (192kHz). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

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