Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) vs Audient EVO 4

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) vs Audient EVO 4: Get the Audient EVO 4, narrowly. The Audient EVO 4 wins Preamps and Mic Inputs, but only just, and the...

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
$159.99
Audient EVO 4
Audient
Audient EVO 4
$179.99

The Ruling

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) or Audient EVO 4? Get the Audient EVO 4, narrowly.

The Audient EVO 4 wins Preamps and Mic Inputs — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is the pricier of the two at $179.99, so the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) stays the pick if $20 matters more than those specs.

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Unless…

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.

CategoryFocusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)Audient EVO 4
Audio Resolution10/107.5/10
Preamps8.5/109.7/10
Mic Inputs5/1010/10
Monitoring10/1010/10
Creator Features10/1010/10
Connectivity10/1010/10

The Split

What each one wins

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 sample rate (192kHz, +96kHz) and dynamic range (120dB, +7dB). It gives up XLR inputs and preamp gain to the Audient EVO 4. It is the cheaper of the two, by $20.00.

Leads on

  • Sample Rate +96kHz
    192kHz
    96kHz

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

  • Dynamic Range +7dB
    120dB
    113dB

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

Audient EVO 4

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

On paper the Audient EVO 4 takes XLR inputs (2, +1) and preamp gain (58dB, +1dB). It gives up sample rate and dynamic range to the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen). That costs $20.00 more than the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen).

Leads on

  • XLR Inputs +1
    2
    1

    More XLR inputs let you record multiple microphones simultaneously.

  • Preamp Gain +1dB
    58dB
    57dB

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

Where they’re identical

These 10 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
  • 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 Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) and Audient EVO 4, grouped by area.
Specification
Focusrite
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Audient
Audient EVO 4
Audio ResolutionFocusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Sample Rate✓ 192kHz96kHz
Max Sample Rate192kHzno data
Bit Depth24-bit24-bit
PreampsEven
Preamp Gain57dB✓ 58dB
Dynamic Range✓ 120dB113dB
Mic InputsAudient EVO 4
XLR Inputs1✓ 2
MonitoringEven
Headphone Outputs11
Direct MonitoringYesYes
Creator FeaturesEven
LoopbackYesYes
ADAT ExpansionNoNo
MIDI I/ONoneNone
Bundled SoftwareHitmaker Expansion, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools Intro+, Cubase LEno data
ConnectivityEven
TRS Outputs22
Connection Typeusb-c, xlr, trsusb-c, xlr, trs
PowerEven
Bus PoweredYesYes
Phantom PowerYesYes
BuildNot enough data
Dimensions143 x 96 x 46.5 mm140 x 60 x 55 mm
Weight0.382 kg0.36 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 Audient EVO 4 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
Best ValuePortability Pick

At $159.99, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) is the most affordable option — 11% less than the priciest pick. 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)
  • × 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 dynamic range (120dB)
  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $20.00 less than the priciest option
  • ✓ You need gear you can easily take on the go

Look elsewhere if

  • × You need the best preamp gain available
  • × You plan to record multiple microphones simultaneously

Best for value-focused buyers, mobile creators, high-resolution audio production.

Our pick
Audient EVO 4 $179.99
Most ConnectivityBest for Multi-mic

At $179.99, the Audient EVO 4 is the priciest option — a premium pick if brand, build, or specific features matter to you. It leads in preamp gain (58dB) and XLR inputs (2). More I/O options for complex setups.

  • + Better preamp gain (58dB vs 57dB)
  • + More XLR inputs (2 vs 1)
  • × Lower sample rate (96kHz vs 192kHz)
  • × Weaker dynamic range (113dB vs 120dB)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want the stronger preamp gain (58dB)
  • ✓ You need 2 XLR inputs for recording multiple sources
  • ✓ 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 complex setup builders, multi-person podcasts, multi-mic setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The largest gap is sample rate, where the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) leads — 192kHz against 96kHz. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 4 specs. They match on 10 specs, including connection type, bit depth and phantom power. Two audio interfaces from Focusrite and Audient, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.

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

Get the Audient EVO 4, narrowly. The Audient EVO 4 wins Preamps and Mic Inputs — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is the pricier of the two at $179.99, so the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen) stays the pick if $20 matters more than those specs.

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

Both share 10 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), bit depth (24-bit), phantom power (Yes) and headphone outputs (1), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.

Is the Audient EVO 4 worth the extra $20 over the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)?

The Audient EVO 4 costs $179.99 against $159.99, a difference of $20. The premium buys XLR inputs (2) and preamp gain (58dB). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

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