Studio Power Conditioner Buyers Guide
This page provides power conditioning product recommendations for home and professional recording studios. We've looked at three of the most common setups.
- Studio system on a single 15A electrical line
- Studio system on a single 20A electrical line
- Studio system with multiple 20A electrical lines
If you situation isn't covered by these three buyer's guides or you wish to discuss further please contact us!
Studio system on single 15A electrical circuit
This situation is the most common for people who have a home studio and haven't installed dedicated electrical lines yet. It also applies for those who've installed a single dedicated line.
- Up to 15A current draw requirement
- Single dedicated or non-dedicated electrical line
- SurgeX home products can also be used if non-rackmount equipment is desired
Power conditioner recommendations. Any digital audio workstations, computers and hard drives should be on a UPS:
| Type | Product | Power Quality Issues Solved | ||||||
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| Spikes & Surges | Noise | Outages & Blackouts | Sags & Brownouts | Waveform Distortion | Swells & Overvoltage | DC on the Powerline | ||
| Good | SurgeX SA1810 (powerstrip) |
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| SurgeX SX1115 |
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| Surge SX1115-RT |
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| Best | Torus RM15 / CS15 |
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| Torus RM15 / CS15 AVR |
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| Good (DAW only) | SurgeX SU100Li |
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| Best (DAW + studio) | SurgeX SU1500-DC* |
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* the SU1500-DC true sine wave UPS can be used protect and power a whole small studio including digital audio workstation.
Other recommended power upgrades:
- Dedicated electrical line(s)
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Whole house surge protection
Studio system on single 20A electrical circuit
This situation is the most common for people who have installed a dedicated 20A electrical line for their home or small professional studio.
- Up to 20A current draw requirement
- Single dedicated electrical line
- With equipment rack
Power conditioner recommendations. Any digital audio workstations, computers and hard drives should be on a UPS:
| Type | Product | Power Quality Issues Solved | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spikes & Surges | Noise | Outages & Blackouts | Sags & Brownouts | Waveform Distortion | Swells & Overvoltage | DC on the Powerline | ||
| Good | SurgeX SX1120 (8 outlet) |
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| SurgeX SX2120 (14 outlet) |
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| Surge SX1120-RT |
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| Best | Torus RM20 / CS20 |
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| Torus RM20 / CS20 AVR |
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| Good (DAW only) | SurgeX SU2000-Li |
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Other recommended power upgrades:
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Whole house surge protection
Studio system on multiple 20A electrical circuits
This scenario applies most often where two or more separate rooms such as a control room and recording room require power.
- Multiple dedicated electrical lines
- With equipment rack
We recommend protecting equipment and increasing performance by using a 'whole room' power conditioner supplying multiple dedicated lines. Additional 'point of use' devices used close to equipment may provide further benefits. Any digital audio workstations, computers and hard drives should be on a UPS.
Product recommendations:
| Type | Product | Power Quality Issues Solved | ||||||
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| Spikes & Surges | Noise | Outages & Blackouts | Sags & Brownouts | Waveform Distortion | Swells & Overvoltage | DC on the Powerline | ||
| Good | SurgeX PF420a |
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| Best | Torus WM60BALb |
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| Torus WM60BAL AVRb |
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| Good (DAW only) | SurgeX SU2000-Li |
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Notes: a provides 4 x 20A lines. b provides 3 x 20A lines. Requires two phase 240V input; output is 120V.
Other recommended power upgrades:
- Whole house surge protection
"I am dedicated to helping you improve the sound quality of your listening room, home theater or studio. Please do not hesitate to