Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen vs BEACN Studio Audio Interface
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen vs BEACN Studio Audio Interface compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen or BEACN Studio Audio Interface? It is a toss-up — take the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen.
Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Monitoring, the BEACN Studio Audio Interface takes Preamps and Power. With the trade even, $99.01 is the tiebreaker, and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is the cheaper side of it.
Unless…
- You need preamps and power — get the BEACN Studio Audio Interface.
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.
| Category | Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen | BEACN Studio Audio Interface |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 10/10 | 6.3/10 |
| Preamps | 8.7/10 | 10/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 10/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Creator Features | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Power | 0/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
On paper the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes ADAT expansion (Yes), sample rate (192kHz, +144kHz) and headphone outputs (2, +1). It gives up loopback and bus powered to the BEACN Studio Audio Interface. It is the cheaper of the two, by $99.01.
Leads on
-
ADAT ExpansionYesNo
ADAT lets you add eight more inputs later instead of replacing the interface.
-
Sample Rate +144kHz192kHz48kHz
Higher sample rates capture more audio detail — important for professional recording and mixing.
-
Headphone Outputs +121
A second headphone output lets a guest monitor without a splitter.
BEACN Studio Audio Interface
Streaming-focused audio interface with creator routing, clean preamps, and low-latency monitoring.
On paper the BEACN Studio Audio Interface takes loopback (Yes), bus powered (Yes) and preamp gain (69dB, +9dB). It gives up ADAT expansion and sample rate to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen. That costs $99.01 more than the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen.
Leads on
-
LoopbackYesNo
Loopback routes computer audio back into the stream without a second interface or cable.
-
Bus PoweredYesNo
Bus power means the interface runs off USB alone — no wall adapter to carry or find a socket for.
-
Preamp Gain +9dB69dB60dB
More gain drives quiet dynamic microphones like the SM7B without a separate booster.
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
- Operating System windows, macos
- Bit Depth 24-bit
- Phantom Power Yes
- XLR Inputs 2
- Direct Monitoring Yes
The Record
19 specs, grouped by area
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 18i20 3rd 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen and BEACN Studio Audio Interface?
The clearest difference is loopback, which the BEACN Studio Audio Interface has and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 6 specs. They match on 6 specs, including connection type, operating system and bit depth. Two audio interfaces from Focusrite and BEACN, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen or BEACN Studio Audio Interface?
It is a toss-up — take the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen. Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Monitoring, the BEACN Studio Audio Interface takes Preamps and Power. With the trade even, $99.01 is the tiebreaker, and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is the cheaper side of it.
What do the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen and BEACN Studio Audio Interface have in common?
Both share 6 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), operating system (windows, macos), bit depth (24-bit) and phantom power (Yes), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the BEACN Studio Audio Interface worth the extra $99 over the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen?
The BEACN Studio Audio Interface costs $249.00 against $149.99, a difference of $99. The premium buys loopback (Yes), bus powered (Yes) and preamp gain (69dB). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.