Audient EVO 4 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

Audient EVO 4 vs Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Audient EVO 4
Audient
Audient EVO 4
$129
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
$199.99

The Ruling

Audient EVO 4 or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)? Get the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen).

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) wins Audio Resolution and Preamps. It is the pricier of the two at $199.99, so the Audient EVO 4 stays the pick if $70.99 matters more than those specs.

Check price on Amazon

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 4Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Audio Resolution7.5/1010/10
Preamps8.9/1010/10
Mic Inputs10/1010/10
Monitoring10/1010/10
Creator Features10/1010/10
Connectivity10/1010/10

The Split

What each one wins

Audient EVO 4

Compact 2-in/2-out USB-C interface with Smartgain and clean preamps for creators and podcasters.

It gives up sample rate and preamp gain to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen). It is the cheaper of the two, by $70.99.

Leads on

  • Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)

Two-channel USB-C audio interface with studio-grade preamps for recording, streaming, and vocals.

On paper the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) takes sample rate (192kHz, +96kHz), preamp gain (69dB, +11dB) and dynamic range (120dB, +7dB). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. That costs $70.99 more than the Audient EVO 4.

Leads on

  • Sample Rate +96kHz
    192kHz
    96kHz

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

  • Preamp Gain +11dB
    69dB
    58dB

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

  • Dynamic Range +7dB
    120dB
    113dB

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

Where they’re identical

These 11 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
  • XLR Inputs 2
  • Headphone Outputs 1
  • Direct Monitoring Yes
  • Loopback Yes
  • ADAT Expansion No
  • MIDI I/O None
  • Bus Powered Yes
  • TRS Outputs 2

The Record

19 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Audient EVO 4 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen), grouped by area.
Specification
Audient
Audient EVO 4
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Audio ResolutionFocusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Sample Rate96kHz✓ 192kHz
Max Sample Rateno data192kHz
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsFocusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Preamp Gain58dB✓ 69dB
Dynamic Range113dB✓ 120dB
Mic InputsEven
XLR Inputs22
MonitoringEven
Headphone Outputs11
Direct MonitoringYesYes
Creator FeaturesEven
LoopbackYesYes
ADAT ExpansionNoNo
MIDI I/ONoneNone
Bundled Softwareno dataHitmaker Expansion, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LE
ConnectivityEven
TRS Outputs22
Connection Typeusb-c, xlr, trsusb-c, xlr, trs
PowerEven
Bus PoweredYesYes
Phantom PowerYesYes
BuildNot enough data
Dimensions140 x 60 x 55 mm180 x 117 x 47.5 mm
Weight0.36 kg0.595 kg
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemno datano 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 Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) 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.

The alternative
Budget PickPortability Pick

At $129.00, the Audient EVO 4 is the most affordable option — 35% less than the priciest pick. It trades raw specs for a simpler, more focused experience. Covers the essentials without stretching your budget.

  • × Lower sample rate (96kHz vs 192kHz)
  • × Weaker dynamic range (113dB vs 120dB)
  • × Weaker preamp gain (58dB vs 69dB)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $70.99 less than the priciest option
  • ✓ You need gear you can easily take on the go

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the highest sample rate available (192kHz)
  • × You need the best dynamic range available

Best for budget-conscious creators, mobile creators, space-constrained setups.

Our pick
Best ValuePremium Pick

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) is the priciest at $199.99, but leads on specs where it counts. It leads in sample rate (192kHz) and dynamic range (120dB). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + Higher sample rate (192kHz vs 96kHz)
  • + Better dynamic range (120dB vs 113dB)
  • + Better preamp gain (69dB vs 58dB)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 192kHz sample rate for higher-resolution audio
  • ✓ You want the stronger dynamic range (120dB)

Best for value-focused buyers, professionals who want the best, high-resolution audio production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Audient EVO 4 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)?

The largest gap is sample rate, where the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) leads — 192kHz against 96kHz. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 3 specs. They match on 11 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 4 or Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)?

Get the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen). The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) wins Audio Resolution and Preamps. It is the pricier of the two at $199.99, so the Audient EVO 4 stays the pick if $70.99 matters more than those specs.

What do the Audient EVO 4 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) have in common?

Both share 11 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), bit depth (24-bit), phantom power (Yes) and XLR inputs (2), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.

Is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) worth the extra $71 over the Audient EVO 4?

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) costs $199.99 against $129.00, a difference of $71. The premium buys sample rate (192kHz), preamp gain (69dB) and dynamic range (120dB). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

Related Comparisons

Audient EVO 4 vs Audient EVO 16 Audio Interface Compare → Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) vs Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen Compare → Audient EVO 4 vs NearStream USB Audio Interface Compare → Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) vs Audio-Technica AT-UMX3 Desktop Mixer Compare → Audient EVO 4 vs Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) Compare → Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) vs EVO 4x4 USB-C Audio Interface Compare →