ESI U22 XT Ultimate Professional Studio Recording Bundle

The ESI U22 XT bundle is a complete home studio in one box: a 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface, a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, studio headphones and a pair of 5″ active studio monitors. It is built for beginners, singer-songwriters, podcasters and producers who want everything needed to record, monitor and mix at home without matching gear from different brands.

What’s in the ESI U22 XT Ultimate Studio Bundle

• ESI U22 XT 2-in/2-out USB audio interface
• ESI cosMik 10 cardioid condenser microphone with table stand, foam windshield and XLR cable
• ESI eXtra 10 on-ear studio headphones with screw-on 1/4″ adapter
• ESI AKTIV 05 5″ 2-way active studio monitors (pair)
• Bundled software from the cosMik Set, such as Bitwig Studio 8-Track and Realphones ESI Edition (the exact software titles can vary by production date)

ESI U22 XT: the USB audio interface

The U22 XT is a compact, USB bus-powered interface that records at up to 24-bit/96 kHz. It has one microphone preamp with +48V phantom power for the cosMik 10, a 1/4″ Hi-Z input for guitar or bass, and a stereo RCA line input for a keyboard, mixer or turntable preamp. Two balanced 1/4″ TRS outputs feed your monitors, and a separate 1/4″ headphone output handles private listening.

On the front panel, an input/output monitoring control lets you blend what you are recording with playback from your computer, so you can hear yourself without delay while tracking. The converters are rated at 102 dB(A) dynamic range in and 108 dB(A) out. It works driver-free on macOS (Core Audio) and Linux, and ESI supplies an ASIO driver for Windows for low-latency recording.

cosMik 10 condenser microphone

The cosMik 10 is a cardioid condenser microphone with a 1″ diaphragm, designed for vocals, voice-over, podcasts and acoustic instruments. Its cardioid pattern picks up mainly what is in front of it, which helps keep room noise down in an untreated bedroom studio. It has a frequency response of 30 Hz to 18 kHz, a self-noise of just 5 dB(A) and handles up to 135 dB SPL, so it copes with loud singers and guitar amps as well as quiet speech. It runs on the +48V phantom power supplied by the U22 XT.

eXtra 10 studio headphones

The eXtra 10 uses 50 mm neodymium drivers with a 15 Hz to 29 kHz frequency response and a 32-ohm impedance, so it is easy to drive from the U22 XT. Use it while recording vocals so the microphone does not pick up your backing track, and as a second reference when checking a mix. The 2.5 m cable gives you room to move between the desk and the mic.

AKTIV 05 active studio monitors

The AKTIV 05 is a 2-way powered near-field monitor with a 5″ Kevlar woofer and a 1″ silk dome tweeter, driven by 60 W of bi-amplified power per speaker (30 W each for the woofer and tweeter). Frequency response is 50 Hz to 20 kHz with a 2.5 kHz crossover, and the woofer is magnetically shielded for desk use. Reviewers praise their full bass and clear midrange, which makes vocals easy to judge, while noting the treble is less detailed than more expensive monitors. Each speaker weighs about 4.5 kg, and the combo inputs accept XLR or 1/4″ jack cables.

Setup tips for your first home studio

• Connecting the monitors: run cables from the U22 XT’s two balanced 1/4″ outputs to the AKTIV 05 inputs. For a fully balanced, low-noise connection, use 1/4″ TRS to XLR cables.
• Placement: set the monitors and your listening position in an equilateral triangle, with the tweeters at ear height and the speakers off the floor and away from room corners.
• Recording vocals: use headphones, not the monitors, so the cosMik 10 does not record your backing track. Turn the monitors down or off while the mic is live.
• Room noise: record in the quietest, most furnished room you have; soft furnishings reduce echo more than you might expect.

Who is it for?

• Beginners setting up a first home studio who want matched components that work together out of the box.
• Singer-songwriters recording one vocal or instrument at a time.
• Podcasters and voice-over artists working solo who want a proper condenser mic and real monitors for editing.
• Bedroom producers who need accurate near-field monitors for mixing beats and electronic music.

It is not the best fit if you need to record two microphones at the same time, such as a two-person podcast or a drum kit. The U22 XT has one mic preamp, so look at audio interfaces with two or more mic inputs instead.

ESI U22 XT bundle vs the alternatives

vs the U22 XT cosMik Set on its own: the cosMik Set gives you the interface, microphone and headphones only. This bundle adds a pair of AKTIV 05 monitors, so you can mix on speakers rather than headphones alone. If you already own monitors, the cosMik Set is the more economical choice; otherwise browse our active studio monitors range to compare.

vs building your own kit: buying an interface, a condenser microphone, headphones and monitors separately gives you more choice, but you need to check that every part is compatible. In this bundle the interface already provides the phantom power the mic needs, has two balanced outputs for the monitors and a headphone output for the eXtra 10. See more ready-made kits in our studio bundles.

Key Features

• Complete record, monitor and mix setup from one brand
• U22 XT USB interface: 24-bit/96 kHz, mic preamp with +48V, Hi-Z and RCA line inputs
• Direct input/output monitoring blend on the interface front panel
• cosMik 10 cardioid condenser mic with 5 dB(A) self-noise and 135 dB max SPL
• eXtra 10 headphones with 50 mm drivers and 15 Hz to 29 kHz response
• Pair of AKTIV 05 2-way active monitors: 5″ Kevlar woofer, 1″ silk tweeter, 60 W each
• Works with Mac, Windows and Linux

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ESI U22 XT work with Mac and Windows?

Yes. It is plug-and-play on macOS and Linux, and ESI provides a Windows driver with ASIO support for low-latency recording in your DAW.

Can I record two microphones at once?

No. The U22 XT has one microphone preamp, so for two microphones at once you need an interface with two mic preamps.

Does the cosMik 10 need phantom power?

Yes, it needs +48V phantom power, which the U22 XT provides from its mic input. No separate power supply is required.

Is the U22 XT powered by USB?

Yes, the interface is USB bus-powered. The AKTIV 05 monitors each plug into mains power and accept 100 to 240 V.

Can I use the AKTIV 05 monitors in a small bedroom?

Yes. They are near-field monitors designed for listening at a desk from a short distance, which suits small rooms. Keep them away from walls and corners to avoid boomy bass.

What recording software is included?

The cosMik Set includes software such as Bitwig Studio 8-Track and Realphones ESI Edition. ESI notes the exact titles can vary by production date, so check the box for your version.