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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-27 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 — biggest strength: Four line outputs let you run two separate monitor setups with independent mixes, and Air mode plus the Dynamic Gain Halos make level setting genuinely easy.
• Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 — biggest trade-off: Its 69 dB gain range is lower than the PreSonus, and it leans on your computer screen rather than giving you a dedicated display.
• PreSonus Quantum ES 2 — biggest strength: Two MAX-HD preamps with +75 dB of gain, 32-bit / 192 kHz conversion and a full-color high-resolution screen put serious headroom and feedback right on the desktop.
• PreSonus Quantum ES 2 — biggest trade-off: As a 2x2 interface it gives you fewer analog ins and outs than the Focusrite, so heavy routing setups will run out of physical connections sooner.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 if you juggle multiple monitors, outboard gear or loopback-heavy streaming; choose the PreSonus Quantum ES 2 if you want high-gain preamps, mobile recording and on-screen metering.
The Scarlett 4i4 is built for the person whose studio keeps expanding. It offers a 69 dB gain range with Hi-Z instrument and line inputs, so you can track a guitar, a synth and a groove box without swapping cables all afternoon. The four line outputs are the headline feature for me: they let you connect two different monitor setups with separate mixes, or patch outboard gear and effects straight into your DAW. That is a routing luxury most two-output interfaces simply cannot match.
Then there is the workflow side. Air mode is designed to add the presence and harmonic character of a big studio console to vocals and instruments, and the Dynamic Gain Halos give you a quick visual cue for hitting the right level instead of guessing. Loopback lets you send stereo audio from your music apps and other software directly into your DAW, which is genuinely useful for streamers, podcasters and anyone recording game or browser audio alongside a mic. The 120 dB dynamic range and studio-grade converters, drawn from the same lineage as Focusrite's flagship RedNet interfaces, mean the conversion quality is not the weak link here.
Who should skip it? If you mainly record one mic at a time on a phone or tablet, the 4i4's extra outputs and routing are more than you need, and the lower 69 dB gain could feel tight with a very demanding dynamic microphone. In my opinion, this is the pick for the producer who wants headroom to grow rather than the smallest possible box. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since bundles like this one move around.
The Quantum ES 2 is aimed squarely at producers, musicians and creators who want high-fidelity capture with as little friction as possible. Its two MAX-HD mic preamps deliver +75 dB of gain, which is more than the Focusrite and gives you comfortable room with gain-hungry dynamic mics. The front-facing instrument input was codeveloped with Fender engineers, so guitarists and bassists get a sensible place to plug in without reaching around the back. That combination of high gain and front-panel access is the core of its appeal.
What sets it apart on the desk is the full-color, high-resolution screen. You get visual confirmation of levels and settings without staring at your laptop, and the DSP monitor mixer with loopback handles zero-latency monitoring and routing duties. Conversion runs at 32-bit / 192 kHz, and the interface works with Mac, Windows, iOS and Android over USB-C, so you can record on a phone or tablet when you are away from the desk. Around the back you get 16 channels of ADAT I/O, S/PDIF I/O, two reamp outs, ten line outs and two headphone outs, plus 48V phantom power and auto gain. It also ships with Studio One Pro and Studio One+ software, which matters if you are starting from nothing.
The catch is the analog I/O count. As a 2x2 interface, you get two mic/line/Hi-Z preamps and that is it for direct inputs, so anyone tracking a full drum kit or several hardware synths at once will hit a wall. The ADAT expansion softens that, but it requires extra gear. If your workflow is one or two sources at a time, that limitation rarely matters. If it is five, it does.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for multiple monitor setups → Focusrite Scarlett 4i4. Its four line outputs support two monitor pairs with separate mixes.
• Best for preamp gain → PreSonus Quantum ES 2. +75 dB on the MAX-HD preamps beats the Focusrite's 69 dB range.
• Best for on-screen feedback → PreSonus Quantum ES 2. The full-color, high-resolution screen shows levels without a computer monitor.
• Best for mobile recording → PreSonus Quantum ES 2. USB-C with iOS and Android support lets you track on a phone or tablet.
• Best for guitar and bass players → PreSonus Quantum ES 2. The front-facing instrument input was codeveloped with Fender engineers.
• Best for expanding with outboard gear → Focusrite Scarlett 4i4. Hi-Z and line inputs plus four line outs make patching effects into the DAW straightforward.
• Best for starting with included software → PreSonus Quantum ES 2. It bundles Studio One Pro and Studio One+.
• Best for simple guided setup → Focusrite Scarlett 4i4. The Easy Start tool walks you through software and configuration step by step.
In my opinion, the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 is the one I would buy for a home studio that is still growing. Four line outputs, separate monitor mixes, loopback and the Easy Start workflow give you room to add gear without replacing the interface. The PreSonus Quantum ES 2 is the stronger choice if your priority is maximum preamp gain, a front-facing instrument input and a screen on the desk, and its mobile support is a real advantage. But if I had to pick one box to live with for the next few years, I would take the routing flexibility. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
what are closed back studio headphones
Closed back studio headphones have sealed earcups that block outside sound from reaching your ears and keep your audio from leaking out. That isolation makes them useful for tracking, monitoring and mixing in noisy rooms. Both bundles here include a pair of closed-back studio headphones, so you can start listening right away.
what is closed back studio headphones
It is the same idea phrased another way: a headphone design where the back of each earcup is closed rather than vented. The sealed design generally gives stronger bass response and better isolation than an open design. For recording vocals with a microphone nearby, that isolation helps prevent headphone bleed.
what are the best closed back studio headphones
I cannot name a single "best" pair, because it depends on your ears, your room and your interface's headphone output. What I can say is that both bundles pair their interface with a closed-back model, which keeps you working without buying extra gear. If you already own a pair you trust, either interface will drive them.
what is open back studio headphones
Open back studio headphones have vented earcups that let air and sound pass through, which typically produces a wider, more natural sense of space for mixing. The trade-off is more leakage and less isolation, so they are less suited to tracking with a live mic. That is exactly why the bundles here ship with closed-back models instead.
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