Antelope Zenith 2

I’ve been using the Antelope Zenith 2 for both music production (Ableton) and live-related preparation, and overall I’m very satisfied with it.

The sound quality is excellent — converters and preamps are clean, detailed and definitely above average for this price range. My KRK monitors sound absolutely great: clear, powerful and well-defined. The workflow is also very smooth, and the built-in DSP is useful for quick setups and low-latency monitoring.

Another big plus is the compact design and USB-powered flexibility, which makes it very practical for mobile setups or smaller workstations.

However, one thing I noticed is related to the headphone output: even with the headphone mixers set to 100% and the volume knob at maximum, my Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250 Ohm don’t really “stand out” in terms of volume. It works correctly, but I expected a bit more headroom for high-impedance headphones.

Overall, it’s a very solid interface with great sound and features, especially for producers and performers who want quality in a compact setup. Just keep in mind the headphone power if you’re using demanding headphones.

I bought the Zenith 2 during Thomann's promotion for €245, coming from an M-Audio 192/4 + KRK Rokit 5. I currently use a pair of Focal Alpha 50 Evo monitors and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones (250Ω) alongside AIAIAI TMA-2.

The jump in sound quality was immediate. Compared to my old interface and tested side by side with the SSL 2+ Mk2 (which I also brought home), the Zenith delivers a sense of "openness" and detail that made me want to listen to music again. The converters are excellent — Antelope isn't overselling when they talk about a "step up" from entry-level interfaces. In a blind test with matched SPL, I still preferred the Zenith's presentation, though I admit the difference is subtle and could involve some psychoacoustics.

I'm not a vocalist, but I record voice for videos using a lav mic and occasionally instruments. The discrete preamps deliver plenty of gain and no noticeable noise for my use case. The onboard DSP (compressor, EQ, de-esser) is an extra I don't use day to day, but I recognize its value for anyone recording more seriously who wants to monitor with effects at zero latency.

The weak point is the headphone output with low-impedance headphones. The Zenith has a 20Ω output impedance. With my AIAIAI TMA-2 (32Ω), the volume comes out low and lacking headroom — it's noticeable. Interestingly, I tested the same headphones on an SSL 2+ Mk2 and the volume was still somewhat weak, which makes me think the TMA-2 is just demanding by nature. But the fact remains: the Zenith doesn't publish headphone output power specs, which leaves some uncertainty. With my Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO (250Ω), it works well — the electrical pairing is appropriate. But if you rely on low-impedance headphones as your main tool, be aware.

The control panel still runs via Rosetta on Apple Silicon. The audio itself passes natively through Core Audio, but that extra layer of software concerns me long-term. On the other hand, I tested the Zenith connected to my Android phone playing Spotify and it worked plug-and-play with zero setup — something even SSL doesn't guarantee.

Build and design feel like serious equipment. Compact, well-built, useful LEDs. It doesn't feel like an entry-level interface — and it doesn't behave like one either.

At this price point, you'll struggle to find a better converter today. The Zenith 2 is technically more ambitious than most compact interfaces. But it requires you to accept a software layer and a headphone output that isn't universal. If you use monitors as your main reference and headphones with medium/high impedance, it's an excellent buy for the €245 I paid. If you depend on 30–32Ω headphones and want something that "just works" without a second thought, an SSL 2+ Mk2 or similar might be the safer choice.

Score: 8/10 — Excellent sound, but the headphone output and software dependency each cost it a point.

The Zenith 2 is a fantastic interface with superb build and sound quality. Having two separate headphone outputs is perfect for my workflow. I bought this specifically to record overdubs on heavy mixes using the built-in DSP effects for latency-free monitoring.
Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to monitor with effects while recording a completely dry DI signal into the DAW—the DSP effect always prints to the track. Other than this specific limitation, it is a great piece of hardware. Antelope support confirmed they are working on a software control panel, so I am looking forward to that unlocking the interface's full potential!

EDIT / UPDATE:
Antelope just released the software Control Panel update (CP 1.0.0) and new firmware! With the control panel now live, the routing functionality is unlocked and works great. I couldn't be happier with this interface now—fantastic sound, great hardware, and fast support from Antelope!