Guys,
Who tested.... Is there any difference in sound of iD4 mk2 vs iD14 mk2???
Is iD4 mk2 worse than iD14 mk2?
Once I saw a video with comparison, there is said that iD4 mk2 has more noise than iD14 mk2. Is it true? I ask this because they both have same ADC/DAC chips....

 

I had a mk1 ID14. When they marketed that they said it had identical pre-amps to the top of the range mixing desks, but the 4 had a cheaper and inferior pre. Other than that I think they're supposed to be identical. Dunno about mk2 but I was really happy with mine. Had to replace it and got a UAD instead for zero latency mic FX, otherwise it was rock solid for me and I would have kept it.

 

no difference.

 

Yes, MKII versions are pretty much the same, except the features. MKI was different.

I'm recommending these interfaces to everybody who can't afford RME ones. Great audio interfaces.

 

Differences to the Audient iD14 MKI

What is new about the MKII version? First of all, the step from USB 2 to USB 3. Unlike its predecessor, phantom power, for example, is available without an external power supply. In addition, the interface, which is operated exclusively via USB, no longer has a power supply. Furthermore, the new interface generation has new converters, which, according to the manufacturer, provide improved dynamics and a higher linearity of the frequency response.

The maximum sampling frequency of 96 kHz has remained, while some competitors already offer 192 kHz in the inexpensive price segment. However, as a professional user, I don't see any disadvantage in this at all, since even very ambitious productions rarely exceed the 48 kHz limit... just as a side note.

Source: www.bonedo.de/artikel/audient-id14-mkii-test/

 

They make this sound desirable, when it is not. Best is when it is optional to use USB power or external source.

 

Exactly clone, you have brought it to the point.
Since the market is highly competitive, they have rationalized away the power supply socket for cost reasons.

I also have an Audient iD14 with power supply, is an older model with a power supply.
USB audio interfaces without power supply usually have insufficient power supply.

Audient - ID14


The interfaces with power supply have the better and more stable supply compared to the power supply via USB. This is especially interesting when using microphones that require phantom power. USB interfaces provide a low voltage with max. 5.5 V (current: USB 2.0 ~500mA, USB 3.0 ~ 900mA), but the phantom power for microphones is up to 48 V. This can cause problems with the power supply (via USB). This can lead to problems with the power supply (via USB) of the microphone.

 

I've on a few occasions I have run two condenser mics with my old RME USB fed Babyface interface and had zero issue with less than optimum power that I could discern (I usually use extrenal preamps). The total consumption of those two microphones was 6.6mA drawing on the 10mA available, so there was plenty to spare. I looked but couldn't find any relevant data for the Audient MKII models talked about here but doubt that it would be an issue. People would be complaining and I haven't heard a peep about it. Anyone with their ear to the track have an inkling bout complaints?

 

With the first version, you needed the power adapter to be able to operate +48 microphones at all.

Spoiler: Audient iD14 (USB Audio Interface) SOS Review Published November 2015

I also don't know if this is true ?
Audient iD14 (USB Audio Interface) SOS Review Published November 2015
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/audient-id14

 

Last edited: Mar 6, 2022

Yeah that's an awesome upgrade... That makes it possible to say 'go into the woods and record your vocals on a laptop' - something I could have done with a few years ago when I was living in a tent :D ... Makes it extremely portable, but it depends on your needs if you'd ever need to do away with the PSU for phantom power... I might be sold on getting one now actually :D

I think I used to keep mine powered up with the PSU, so that I was always ready to throw down vocals. That might have given me extra stability, I don't know, but with a stable PC I never had issues from Audient. Great support too and there's loads of stuff that I keep getting for free, even though I don't have the soundcard now

And on the topic of complaints, I've seen them about pretty much all comparitively priced soundcards, but not about the Audient. Doesn't mean that there aren't any, but I'd vouch for them in my own experience and I'm only talking about the first gen. Sometimes the new hardware can take a dip though, but if its mostly a case of providing power via USB3 as the changes then that sounds like an awesome improvement to me... It could be a risk buying one, but I think their reputation is solid

For the difference in Pre-Amp its probably worth getting the 14, if there is a difference... Its a bit of a crazy design to break off from a consistent construction to add an inferior Pre that needs everything to be adapted. It has to cause some inconsistencies to allow for different noise levels so you'd think it would make more sense to keep everything consistent... I think it was all about offering a budget version but I would have thought that it creates headaches in the design stage, so it might cost more money in time, troubleshooting, updates etc. Maybe they figured this out and just kept it consistent now?

Hope you get to the bottom of this.

Thanks for making me aware of the USB3 Beat16... I can see the potential for riding to the top of a deserted hill in the night to record some unique vocals :D

 

the mic makes the most difference even if you buy a uad interface if your mic is crap you wont make a difference even if these two has a sonic difference to hear the you got to have a grate mic (like a Naumann or something ) at that point you shouldn't even be considering any of these two

just see what has the features you need and go for the cheaper one and invest that money in to a good mic

when i bought a interface first i went with the 2i2 and then as my mics grew better i went for a antelope audio zen go but at that point i was recording with 2000$ + mics so don't worry so much about the sonic characteristics and also they are from the same manufacturer

 

I was replying to this statement. I never had an issue.

 

Thank you @Lois Lane for your experience and words.

 

I found a test, unfortunately (for the others) in German, that says technically yes (a little bit), audibly not.
Interesting and pretty complete read:
https://www-amazona-de.translate.go..._sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

EDIT: concerning the phantom power thingy, you may also find some useful information here:
https://music.stackexchange.com/que...faces-support-phantom-power-through-usb-alone

 

Last edited: Mar 6, 2022

There are measurements for both iD4 MKII and iD14 MKII on German Amazona:
https://www.amazona.de/test-audient-id14-mk2-id4-mk2-usb-c-audiointerface/

They look a bit different indeed, but the author states, he doesn't hear a difference:

 

Last edited: Mar 6, 2022

The Audient Mic Pre Experiment - Can you hear the difference?

 

I have no idea how many people could use a 48v mic in a portable situation and I believe this new feature is not a gamechanger for anyone. Condenser mics, given their sensitivity, need an acoustically treated room, you can't just go to the park with that mic, open your laptop and record your voice as it will also pick up passing vehicles, distant voices, etc. For the same reason condenser mics are strongly discouraged in a live performance.
That said, Audient converters are great for the price, and I've never had a problem with the driver (macOS). The real difference between iD4 and iD14 lies in the number of in/out available: you should evaluate your purchase choice on that