How do popular Thunderbolt audio interface brands compare in terms of features and price?
This page compares 7 How do popular Thunderbolt audio interface brands compare in terms of features and prices with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Apogee Element 46 (Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac), MOTU 848 28x32 Thunderbolt 4 Audio Interface, Antelope Audio Orion 32+ Gen 4 32-Channel AD/DA Thunderbolt/USB Audio Interface. Prices range from £660 to £1,919. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | I/O Count ⇅ | Number of Channels ⇅ | Sample Rate (Hz) ⇅ | Bit Depth (bits) ⇅ | Latency (ms) ⇅ | Thunderbolt Version ⇅ | Power Supply ⇅ |
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Apogee Element 46 (Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac)
US
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£660.42 ≈ | 12 | — | 192 kHz | 24-bit | 1.41 ms round-trip at 96 kHz with a 32 buffer setting | — | ✓ |
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Apogee Element 46 is a Thunderbolt audio I/O box for Mac built for low-latency recording and software-controlled control via Apogee Control. It provides 4 analog inputs with 48 V phantom power and 6 analog outputs, plus optical I/O (ADAT, SMUX, S/PDIF) and word clock I/O for syncing with other digital gear. It suits musicians and small project studios that want high-end Apogee conversion and mic preamps in a streamlined Thunderbolt box. ★ Ideal forCompared with popular Thunderbolt interface lines, Element 46 is a 12 in x 14 out Thunderbolt 1-port Mac-focused interface with 24-bit/192 kHz conversion and 1.41 ms round-trip latency at 96 kHz, positioned as a more minimal I/O alternative versus higher-channel, higher-cost Thunderbolt competitors.
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MOTU 848 28x32 Thunderbolt 4 Audio Interface
US
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£1176.95 ≈ | 28 inputs and 32 outputs | 60 simultaneous audio channels | 192 kHz | 32-bit float | Approximately 1.8 ms round trip | 4 | ✓ |
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The MOTU 848 is a professional 28-input, 32-output rackmount interface with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connectivity, 64-channel DSP mixing, effects, and AVB networking. Its 192 kHz conversion, 32-bit float support, and approximately 1.8 ms round-trip latency suit demanding recording, mixing, immersive audio, and live-production workflows. ★ Ideal forIt suits comparisons of popular Thunderbolt interface brands because it combines 28x32 I/O, 60 simultaneous channels, 192 kHz and 32-bit float conversion, approximately 1.8 ms latency, AVB networking, and a 64-channel DSP mixer at a professional price point.
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Antelope Audio Orion 32+ Gen 4 32-Channel AD/DA Thunderbolt/USB Audio Interface
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£1919.13 ≈ | 32 x 32 analog I/O | 128 I/O via Thunderbolt 3; 32 I/O via USB | 192 kHz | 24 bit | Zero-latency monitoring | Thunderbolt 3 | ✓ |
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The Orion 32+ Gen 4 is a professional 1U audio interface with 32 analog inputs, 32 analog outputs, high-resolution 24-bit 192 kHz conversion, and up to 128 channels over Thunderbolt 3. It suits recording studios, mixing rooms, broadcast facilities, and complex hybrid setups that need extensive I/O, MADI connectivity, and precise 64-bit AFC clocking. ★ Ideal forIt is useful for comparing popular Thunderbolt audio interface brands because it combines 128-channel Thunderbolt 3 streaming, 32 x 32 analog I/O, 24-bit 192 kHz conversion, zero-latency monitoring, and professional pricing in one rackmount interface.
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Focusrite Red 8Line Rackmount 58x64 Dante/HDX/Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface
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£1430.63 ≈ | 58 inputs, 64 outputs | 58 x 64 | 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz | 24-bit | — | Thunderbolt 3 | ✓ |
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The Focusrite Red 8Line is a professional rackmount interface with 58 inputs and 64 outputs, dual Thunderbolt 3 and Pro Tools HD connectivity, Dante, ADAT, and S/PDIF. It suits recording studios, live production, post-production, and hybrid setups requiring extensive routing and low-latency professional connectivity. ★ Ideal forIt is useful for comparing popular Thunderbolt audio interface brands because it combines 58 x 64 I/O, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, Dante, and Pro Tools HD connectivity at a professional price point.
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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad Gen 2 Essentials+ Edition (Thunderbolt 3, 10x6)
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£914.26 ≈ | 10x6 | 10 | 192 kHz | 24-bit | — | 3 | ✓ |
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Apollo Twin X Quad Gen 2 Essentials+ Edition is a desktop Thunderbolt 3 interface with 10 in / 6 out I/O and onboard QUAD Core DSP for running UAD plug-ins during tracking. It supports 24-bit / 192 kHz conversion and includes Essentials+ plug-ins for recording and processing right away. It's suited to Mac or PC producers and engineers who want low-latency UAD effects with Unison mic preamp modeling. ★ Ideal forIf you're comparing Thunderbolt audio interface brands by feature/price, this model's Thunderbolt 3 10x6 I/O, QUAD Core DSP, and 24-bit/192 kHz conversion (plus included Essentials+ plug-ins) are the concrete specs behind the sale prices shown by major retailers (e.g., 1239 USD and 1499 USD).
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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Gen 2 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD Analog Classics Pro Bundle
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£1128.25 ≈ | 10 in / 6 out | — | 192 kHz | 24-bit | Near-zero | Thunderbolt 3 | ✓ |
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A compact 10-in/6-out desktop interface with two Unison preamps, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, QUAD Core UAD processing, and a large Analog Classics Pro plug-in bundle. It suits musicians, producers, and project studios that need professional conversion and real-time plug-in processing in a desktop format. ★ Ideal forIt is useful for comparing popular Thunderbolt interface brands because it combines Thunderbolt 3, 10-in/6-out connectivity, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, QUAD DSP, two Unison preamps, and a substantial plug-in bundle at a clearly listed retail price.
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MOTU 16A 32 x 34 Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Audio Interface
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£1176.95 ≈ | 32 in / 34 out | 66 simultaneous audio channels | Up to 192 kHz | 32-bit | 1.8 ms round-trip at 96 kHz with 32-sample buffer | Thunderbolt 4 | ✓ |
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The MOTU 16A is a professional 32-in / 34-out audio interface with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connectivity, 66 simultaneous audio channels, AVB networking, and onboard DSP mixing and effects. It suits project and commercial studios, live-sound systems, and complex multi-device setups that need extensive I/O and very low latency. ★ Ideal forIt suits comparisons of popular Thunderbolt audio interface brands because it combines 32 x 34 I/O, 66 simultaneous channels, Thunderbolt 4 / USB4, up to 192 kHz operation, 1.8 ms round-trip latency, and onboard 64-channel DSP mixing at a price of 1595.00 USD.
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