Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 1st Gen vs 4th Gen -> any benefits? (headphones etc.)

[Caine123]

hi guys,

i only use the audio interface for production in a box (PC) + a Shure MIC and my headphones Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro (250 Ohm), i can use my 2i2 1st Gen but im wondering if a 4th GEN will give any benefits in my situation and are they now able to power 250 Ohm headphones?

is it just the loudness difference or do audio interfaces which can power 250 ohn headphones give a better quality in playback?

thx

[BertKoor]

I can only comment on 3rd gen 4i4 and using it with medium impedance (60 ohm) cans is a bit disappointing. Audible distortion, and not even on max volume. My 40 years old hifi amp serves perfect for headphone monitoring.

[kritikon]

Dunno about whether or how much the Scarlett 4th gen is better than 1stgen (likely), but as for quality of digital playback for 250ohm - no. Your interface headphone capability has no relevance to the playback quality. It affects how loud you can play your headphones, so if it's underpowered you're likely to get distortion etc when you crank them up high - which you're going to have to do if the cans amp is lower, but the actual output is still the same quality.


A quick surf showed up this vid, and I have to say it sounds like it still might be quite underpowered - if this guy has his cans knob at 80% to get vocals through it...then it's probably not designed for 250ohm. I use a Steinberg interface with DT990 250ohm and I don't have to turn it up that high, even my laptop only needs 30-40% (which initially surprised me TBH). Or maybe his hearing is already so f**ked that he has to crank it up loud?

[legendCNCD]

Something I've heard from people using those: the headphone balance is better (meaning L/R)
It still is a bit slow & cpu intensive interface