Comparing headphone outputs:

 

Obviously, the iD4mkII and iD14mkII have the best headphone outputs. Especially for high impedance pro-grade headphones. My AKGs are 600ohm.

However, the driver is the most important thing for any hardware connected to a computer. I have limited experience with Audient interface. Can some more people confirm the drivers are so buggy as some people here say it is? I remember reading about the ASIO loopback latency being almost as good as RME's, and that's as important as the stability of the driver. That's where RME's driver really shines, too.

If Audient's driver shines in ASIO loopback tests but it's unstable, maybe they will make it more stable in the future. That would be great. So the question is, for a budget interface, is it better to buy Audient iD4/14, Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 Gen 3, or maybe Motu M2? Focusrite's ASIO loopback latency has become decent in recent times with new drivers. I wonder how's Motu doing? [Windows]

 

I'm so frustrated because the only area where the ID14MKII beats the Motu in my opinion is the better dynamic range (125db) including the headphone output, versus 115db for the M2/M4. Otherwise the M2/M4 seems to be a better package, including the led screen and Midi ports. I have seen mixed reviews regarding the headphone preamp though, I feel like the ID14MKII one is also better. Hopefully both can drive the 250 ohm (I have a Beyerdynamic DT 880) without additional amp, but I'm really not sure. As far as latency goes, both interfaces seem to be very good.

 

The Audient line surpised me with their less than advertised performace measurements, will post link need to find it. In many of them it under performed even the budget m2/m4, but they are great little cards imo. No to say the Audient isnt, but worth being aware of.


Source: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/audient-id4-audio-interface-review.10679/

The same site has same measurement threads for *most* cards





Falls flat on its face when reduced to 33 ohms too apparantley:



https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...wer-into-33-ohm-audio-measurements-png.44355/

 

Last edited: Oct 2, 2021

But where are the M2 and M4 on that graph?
I only see the MOTU 624 there...
And I've just read all of your link.
No mention of the new M range at all.
And the thread is about the Audient iD14 Mk2, not Mk1.

 

Last edited: Oct 2, 2021

Note:
The pics you linked are about the Audient iD4 MK1 (smaller one). Actually this thread is about the iD14 Mk2
They are two quite different interfaces

 

My bad i thought the source link inlucded futher info on mk2. It had its own issues . About the m4 just mentiing it as it is a great value card that is out performing a lot of these options in areas, but I dont think it would make or break your outcome with many of the options offering simmilar funcionality these days. The search is decent on that site, there should be a dedicated m4 thread for detailed measurements too.

But whether the complaints are important to you guys use cases is not for me to say, didnt mean to put it that way.
Just adding some info I had come acorss online that may have been of interest to anyone considering purchasing at the moment.

I should have been more clear about the versionings, its info id be keen to be aware of from the manufacturer but may not be to everyone apologies for the derail

More focused on mk2 complaints :

Sorry about the chinese but decent measurement pics:

https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/measurements-of-audient-id14-mkii/

--

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...t-updated-their-audio-interfaces.19219/page-4

 

Last edited: Oct 2, 2021

This basically says stay away from it.
A soundblaster with higher specs packed into a metal enclosure and sold as a pro audio interface.

 

There is some real eye openers when devliving into some of the detailed measurement threads, I was surprised by a few.

 

I've had both ID14 MKII and MOTU M4 and M4 sounds much better. Wider soundstage, superior detail retrieval. It's a beast for the price.

I've had issues with latency with MOTU M4, but they have released a new driver in November 2022 that reduced latency here to HALF. I was unable to use 48KHz with less than 1024 Buffer Size (huge latency) and now I can use 512 Buffer Size, which is ok (10ms or so), 100% stable (no pops/clicks). I've also noticed an improvement in sound quality inside Ableton Live. If you're in the fence, get the M2 or M4 now, drivers rock ATM.

 

Last edited: Nov 7, 2022

Drivers are king, every purchase should be based on the quality of the drivers!

 

Old Thread, but hopefully someone can help me, before i open a new Thread.
I got the Audient ID14 (old MK1) from a friend. I plugged it in and was surprised how flat it sounds (Negative surprised)

Actually i have a old Focusrite Scarlett Solo Gen1
My Headphones are The Beyerdynamic Dt700 Pro X (48 Ohm) I only produce with Headphones.
I´m very used to the sound of the Focusrite --) Big Soundstage, Can hear details also on low volume, Good Bass and Subbass.
Now with the Audient, the Stereo Stage became more narrow, Less Bass. I cannot hear the Subbass anymore in my Project. Just the Kick.
I also think i lost some small details in the Reverb, Delay, left right.
It´s not that "3D" Sound like the Focusrite anymore.

But is this a bad sign?
For now, i really like the Sound of the Older Focusrite way more.

CHATGPT helped me a bit to analyze the Chart.
Is the ID14 the Wrong Interface for my DT700 ProX?
I really like to have more Bass and warmer sound for my ears. Also bigger Soundstage

Zitat:


Device Output Impedance Meaning
Audient iD14 ~22.9 Ω Relatively high → affects the frequency response of low-impedance headphones (such as the DT 700 Pro X ≈ 48 Ω) → can slightly reduce bass levels
Focusrite Solo Gen 1/2/3 ~0.4 Ω Very low → the headphones receive the signal almost unaltered

In short:
The higher output impedance of the iD14 interacts with the headphone’s impedance curve, which can tighten or attenuate the low end, while the Focusrite’s near-zero impedance delivers a more linear, fuller-sounding bass.

 

Last edited: Oct 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM

If possible, go with the iD24 - the audio quality is spectacular, plus you get the befits of bypassable pres, AND outboard gear inserts/loops. I have one - it's spectacular. Here's an awesome review of it.
https://www.reviewrevival.ca/reviews/audient-id24-usb-audio-interface-review-in-depth-2023

 

The output impedance of the Audient shouldn't affect the frequency response of your headphones. The issue you describe has nothing to do with the impedance in the first place, too. To me, it looks like you're fooling yourself with volume. Both the Focusrite and Audient have perfectly flat outputs like pretty much every other interface in the market. If anything, the Audient when properly used on an USB3 port should give you more power, which will result on better bass response since the impedance is usually higher on low frequencies. In this case, if you have more bass on the Focusrite, it could just be the frequency response being skewed by the impedance itself rather than the Audient doing it. Either way, I believe it is unlikely both interfaces are interacting with the frequency response, especially when it comes to things such as "soundstage" and "3D sound" which are made up things that happen inside the headphones, and not on the interface itself (like I said, the conversion is flat like a dead person's pulse).

 

After getting a pair of AKG K702 headphones, I immediately realized that M-audio Fast Track Pro was not able to drive them properly and I was really upset.

Then I talked about the situation with the store where I bought the headphones from and I was recommended to get an Audient audio interface to get rid of the problem. Then I bought Audient ID14 MKII, and I'm pretty happy with the result, especially, with the headphones.

I have a Rode NT1-A mic and run a test-drive recording, also everything is ok.

 

Then just buy the Focusrite again. www.thomann.de/de/focusrite_usb_audio_interfaces.html

 

The 2i2 looks good for me. Good price actually. Or the Motu M4.
Need to do some research the next 2 days. But only testing will help thank you.

 

Moto had driver issues on some models.
Since you've had this before and prefer the warm sound and Audient sounds too cold, stick with Focusrite.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen - €119

• 24-bit / 192 kHz
• 2 Scarlett microphone preamps
• +48 V phantom power
• Switchable Air function
• 2 mic/instrument/line inputs: XLR/6.3 mm jack combo balanced
• 2 line outputs: 6.3 mm jack balanced
• Stereo headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
• USB-C port

 

I think the driver issues are solved. But with the warmer sound you could be right.
I'm not a professional producer and also want to enjoy what I hear while producing. So ultra flat sound is not my style.
Will do deeper research today evening. Thank you for your support

 

This just means your interface is broken - if it is functioning well there would never be such differences