Universal Audio Volt 2 vs PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
Universal Audio Volt 2 vs PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Universal Audio Volt 2 or PreSonus AudioBox USB 96? Get the Universal Audio Volt 2, narrowly.
The Universal Audio Volt 2 wins Preamps — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $10.
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 | Universal Audio Volt 2 | PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Preamps | 10/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Creator Features | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Connectivity | 10/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Universal Audio Volt 2
2-in/2-out USB audio interface with high-quality preamps and analog-inspired tone shaping.
On paper the Universal Audio Volt 2 takes preamp gain (55dB, +20dB) and dynamic range (112dB, +7dB). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. It is the cheaper of the two, by $10.00.
Leads on
-
Preamp Gain +20dB55dB35dB
More gain drives quiet dynamic microphones like the SM7B without a separate booster.
-
Dynamic Range +7dB112dB105dB
Wider converter dynamic range means less noise between the quietest and loudest parts of a take.
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
It gives up preamp gain and dynamic range to the Universal Audio Volt 2. That costs $10.00 more than the Universal Audio Volt 2.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Where they’re identical
These 11 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Sample Rate 192kHz
- Bit Depth 24-bit
- Phantom Power Yes
- XLR Inputs 2
- Headphone Outputs 1
- Direct Monitoring Yes
- Loopback No
- ADAT Expansion No
- MIDI I/O In/Out
- Bus Powered Yes
- TRS Outputs 2
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 Universal Audio Volt 2 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 Universal Audio Volt 2 and PreSonus AudioBox USB 96?
The largest gap is preamp gain, where the Universal Audio Volt 2 leads — 55dB against 35dB. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 11 specs, including sample rate, bit depth and phantom power. Two audio interfaces from Universal Audio and PreSonus, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Universal Audio Volt 2 or PreSonus AudioBox USB 96?
Get the Universal Audio Volt 2, narrowly. The Universal Audio Volt 2 wins Preamps — but only just, and the rest of the chart is close. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $10.
What do the Universal Audio Volt 2 and PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 have in common?
Both share 11 specifications in the catalog, including sample rate (192kHz), 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.