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Best Power Conditioner Audiophile 2021 [Our Reviews and Comparisons]

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best power conditioner audiophile

Stacking musical instruments to create an interesting assortment alone isn’t something musicians do. Their maintenance, which mainly includes protection from electrical surges is important too. The demand for power conditioners has been on a rise in recent times due to a growing awareness of their importance. Best Power Conditioner is what you need.

The need to own one of these devices becomes even more important if you are a professional trying to create an exclusive dubbing studio. Electrical malfunctions and noise interferences are commonplace when speakers, amplifiers, and microphones are being used for many hours each day in professional recording spaces. Such mishaps also disrupt the reputation of dubbing studios or even gigs, and this fact again emphasizes the need to own a power conditioner.

Power conditioners are also being procured in large numbers by radio stations since the equipment in such spaces are subjected to a lot of stress. If you are relatively new to power conditioners and are plagued by ambiguity over choosing the right product for your music suite, this compilation should prove to be helpful.

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Here are some of the best power conditioner audiophiles in town which you should probably consider.

Best Power Conditioner Audiophile Comparison Table

Product Features Latest Price
1. Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B003BQ91Y6″ value=”thumb”]
  • Filtration rating greater than 23 dB
  • Impressive AC noise filtering

[amazon fields=”B003BQ91Y6″ value=”button”]
2. Panamax M8-AV-Pro
  • Disconnect circuitry
  • Automatically shuts off AC sources
Buy on Amazon
3. Pyle’s PCO800 Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B00378XA5Y” value=”thumb”]
  • Easy to install
  • Effective against radio frequencies too

[amazon fields=”B00378XA5Y” value=”button”]
4. APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner
  • 3-year warranty
  • Lifetime equipment protection policy
Buy on Amazon
5. Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B000YYVLAK” value=”thumb”]
  • Zero-ground contamination circuitry
  • SMP+-certified

[amazon fields=”B000YYVLAK” value=”button”]
6. Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B000JE9LD4″ value=”thumb”]
  • Zero-ground contamination circuitry
  • SMP+-certified

[amazon fields=”B000JE9LD4″ value=”button”]
7. Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Voltage Regulator/Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B001UNPCCM” value=”thumb”]
  • Advanced EVS circuitry
  • SMP+

[amazon fields=”B001UNPCCM” value=”button”]
8. Pyle PCO850 Power Conditioner
[amazon fields=”B00BQO5G4O” value=”thumb”]
  • Sturdy body
  • AC power filter

[amazon fields=”B00BQO5G4O” value=”button”]

Our Best Power Conditioner Audiophile Reviews and Comparisons

1. Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner

Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

Furman is one of the first few names a person well-versed with power conditioners would recall, thanks to the suite of gadgets it has manufactured over the past few years. The feature set of the M-8X2 has undoubtedly helped the brand retain its reputation once again.

Features

One of the noteworthy features of the Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner is the inclusion of a 15 Amp rating, which reveals the threshold of the product. In addition, the makers have also provided a “Protection OK” panel indicator on the equipment as a mark of assurance that it is being protected from external surges.

The Furman product includes 8 rear panel outlets (including 3 with “wall wart” spacing) and 1 front panel convenience outlet, which makes it worth the price.

However, the biggest triumph of the power conditioner is that it includes an AC noise filtering ability that ensures a drastic reduction in the infamous RFI/EMI interferences. Elimination of this undesirable inconvenience is one of the least expectations owners of music studios and radio station bosses require from power conditioners. Furman has managed to eradicate similar issues even in its earlier products and has retained the streak once again with this invention.

What We Like About Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner

If you still aren’t too convinced by the feature set of the Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner, here’s a good reason that could make you consider the device for an investment. The Filtration rating of this product is greater than 23 dB, 200 kHz to 10 Mhz, which makes it a perfect addition for a professional audio setup.

So, if you are looking for a noise-free gig or marathon voice dubbing sessions, and even building a customized home entertainment system, here’s that problem-solver you were probably always looking for. If any of you reading this piece happens to be a DJ or hosts parties often, you should probably consider the Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner to prevent noise issues of any sort that could prove to be socializing dampeners.

Cracks and pops have been commonplace as far as sound equipment is concerned, and procuring a product like the Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner could end such undesirable occurrences seamlessly.

What We Don’t Like About Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner

Of course, Furman is a reputed manufacturer, and not many people are concerned about the longevity of its products. However, the makers have offered no warranty to the buyers of the M-8X2 Power Conditioner. This lack of support has been a cause for concern among many looking to procure such a product.

If you wholeheartedly trust Furman’s reputation and don’t really mind the absence of a warranty, the M-8X2 can be considered, mainly for its impressive feature set.

PROS

  • Filtration rating greater than 23 dB
  • Impressive AC noise filtering

CONS

  • No warranty offered

2.Panamax M8-AV-Pro

Panamax M8-AV-Pro

Product Highlights

All you cinephiles toying the idea of building your own home theater, the Panamax M8-AV-Pro deserves to be on your list of must-buy items to accomplish the job. It has proved to be effective in helping you differentiate every little sound detail emitted by your speakers, which has been an unresolved, age-old concern.

Features

A network line and antenna protection, 1875 joule rating, as well as prevention of electrical surges that could occur from satellites, antennas, or even cables, are some of the key differentiating factors of the Panamax M8-AV-Pro. A closer look at the product’s technical specifications sheet would reveal the mention of COAX/SAT Protection. This abbreviation alone reveals the sort of damages the power conditioner would shield your musical instruments against.

The power conditioner also shuts off automatically when not in use for a significant amount of time, which speaks volumes about its energy efficiency. So, buying this product also means that you would be able to save a considerable amount on your electricity bills.

What We Like About Panamax M8-AV-Pro

A feature not many power conditioners of its kind have is a disconnect circuitry, which is easily the best feature of the Panamax M8-AV-Pro Power Conditioner.

The equipment automatically shuts off power supply from the AC sources to musical instruments or speakers during instances of power surges, eliminating any concerns of potential damage to your environment due to sudden voltage spikes. You seldom find such ability among other products of its kind. Buying this product is nothing different than insuring your product from any sort of damage.

Probably not many of you, who are new entrants to the world of music and sound equipment know that telephone lines too can cause electrical surges. The Panamax M8-AV-Pro Power Conditioner can easily prevent such mishaps, unlike several other products its kind. It is seamlessly compatible with many other high-definition music systems too which is a noteworthy advantage.

What We Don’t Like About Panamax M8-AV-Pro

The design of the power conditioner is quite complicated as compared to several other products of its kind. However, the bigger concern which a lot of other buyers have recently stated is that the manufacturers aren’t offering any warranty along with the product. If you are impressed with the feature set of the product, the warranty aspect is a risk you must be willing to overlook.

PROS

  • Disconnect circuitry
  • Automatically shuts off AC sources

CONS

  • No warranty
  • Complicated design </li

3. Pyle’s PCO800 Power Conditioner

Pyle’s PCO800 Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

If there’s a single power conditioner that has curbed radio frequency interference in the best possible way, it is probably this cool product. Of course, it does a great job of fighting electrical surges too and is quite affordable – which are probably the reasons responsible for the product’s popularity.

Features

The makers have included nine power outlets in this product which include eight at the rear end and one in the front, which many buyers have hailed as an impressive design. The PCO800 power conditioner includes a 15 amp rating with a rear-panel circuit breaker, which is a sort of basic assurance that the product would prevent any harm to your musical instruments during instances of electrical surges.

The main accomplishment of the product is its ability to refine the quality of the power being distributed across your musical appliances by employing transient impulse protection, power factor correction, and noise suppression.

The power conditioner is quite simple to operate since it includes just one red button in the front panel switch, which when pressed, activates an 8 standard 3-prong grounded AC receptacle rear outlet. The triple mode varistor surge and spike protection ability of the product prove to be really effective in shielding all your musical instruments from the ill-effects of external surges.

Weighing just 5.20 lbs, the PCO800 is quite light and can be easily mounted on a rack. On close examination of the product, it seems like the makers have taken care to ensure the product is quite portable and space-efficient.

What We Like About Pyle’s PCO800 Power Conditioner

The power conditioner is quite affordable, considering the fact that it shields you from the ill-effects of electrical surges and radio frequencies alike, unlike several other similar products. The makers have exclusively embedded an AC noise filter in the power conditioner that ensures the radio frequency doesn’t get distributed.

The makers have included a surge protection control too that has proved to be highly resistant to fluctuations of any sort.

The product package also includes a 15-foot long cord that enables easy connection of the power conditioner even from a considerable distance. It is also one of the cheapest devices of its kind you would possibly find in the stores today. If you are looking for a power conditioner that strikes a balance between quality and price, this is a product that fits the bill.

What We Don’t Like About Pyle’s PCO800 Power Conditioner

It is important to check if the Pyle Power Conditioner is compatible with the usual voltage output in your country. A few users in the past have opined that the product has not worked well with the voltage delivered by their AC outlets.

PROS

  • Easy to install
  • Effective against radio frequencies too

CONS

  • Not compatible across different voltages.

4. APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner

APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power ConditionerProduct Highlights

The APC J25B is best suited for any sort of AV systems that could be adversely impacted by poor power quality. Coupling your instruments with this power conditioner could greatly impact the sound and video output, which makes it ideal for appliances such as TVs, DVRs, game consoles, and computers.

Features

The filter of this product does a great job at keeping the risks of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference at bay, to prevent any sort of AV degradation, apart from preventing the usual electrical surges. Another highlight of this great product is the inclusion of an Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) ability which helps enhance the performance of your electronic equipment and an overall amplification of sound/video quality.

You must have already observed that the power conditioner includes a tiny screen in the front panel, which would turn red if the electrical surge has reached an alarmingly high level. The dual-color LCD display is usually blue in color, and not many power conditioner manufacturers have found a better way to notify users about the changes in environmental conditions.

Telephonic and coaxial surge protection as well as the presence of isolated noise filter banks are other benefits of procuring a product such as the APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner.

What We Like About APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner

One of the advantages of owning the APC J25B as compared to several other power conditioners is its impeccable battery backup. Even during instances of total blackouts, the J25B can keep your musical instruments powered on for a considerable amount of time.

The sleek design of the product makes it easily fit into your interiors without consuming much space. Additionally, the power conditioner is also high on aesthetics, if you are concerned whether the conditioner you buy would be a dampener as far as looks are concerned. APC has designed it to compliment the interiors of most studios in the best possible way.

The manufacturer is offering a 3-year product warranty as well as a lifetime equipment protection policy along with the APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner, which is one of the reasons why you should consider buying the product.

The reputation of the brand APC (American Power Conversion), an off-shoot of the world-renowned electrical equipment manufacturer Schneider Electric, is another reason why you could consider buying this power conditioner.

What We Don’t Like About APC J25B 8-Outlet J-Type Power Conditioner

Although many have hailed the product for its impeccable ability at dealing with electrical surges, the battery connector of the power conditioner has garnered a few brickbats from a few customers. The component received a lot of criticism for its lack of robustness.

PROS

  • 3-year warranty
  • Lifetime equipment protection policy

CONS

  • Non-robust battery connector

5. Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner

Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

This is another Furman invention that definitely deserved a spot in this compilation and we couldn’t resist adding it. If you are considering thinking of another product manufactured by the reputed power conditioner maker apart from the M-8X2, it is this.

Furman has been largely successful in the space for realizing in its early days that the power quality delivered by the AC outlets over the years has been poor and building power conditioners that do a great job at preventing such surges is crucial.

Features

The most noteworthy feature of the PST-8 Power Conditioner is that the product is Series Multi-Stage Protection Plus (SMP+)-certified, which makes it quite adept at managing sudden electrical surges. The AC surge suppression achieved by this ability of the PST-8 is the highest of its kind.
The makers have included cable satellite and telco connectors along with the product that together offers an advanced degree of protection from the common causes of surges in our environment.

If you are looking for the perfect instrument for building that perfect home entertainment environment that’s been on your wish list for a long time, look no further. You could rely on this power conditioner even if you are also looking for considerable protection for your pro audio and instruments in particular.

The product shuts down automatically when the voltage surges reach an extreme level, which greatly prevents any sort of damage to your musical instruments. Wiring faults are the causes of many electrical mishaps and there aren’t many power conditioners apart from the PST-8 that do a great job at preventing your musical instruments from ill effects.

What We Like About Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner

The uniqueness of the Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner lies in the fact that the makers have included a zero-ground contamination circuitry in its design. The advantage of such a component in the product is to ensure the AC power delivered to each equipment is pure and less harmful, as compared to the kind of energy our electrical goods have been consuming over the years. You would probably realize the true potential of this power conditioner during extreme weather conditions when voltage trips and damage to equipment are commonplace.

What We Don’t Like About Furman PST-8 Power Conditioner

It has been found that the power conditioner would reset automatically by a few customers, in a span of merely months since buying the PST-8. However, this behavior has been found to be inconsistent.

PROS

  • Zero-ground contamination circuitry
  • SMP+-certified

CONS

  • Resets automatically

6. Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner

Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

Belkin is more of a household name now as far as electrical goods manufacturing brands are concerned, and has been around for several decades. The Pivot Plug BP112230-08, its latest invention, has found many takers who have employed the power conditioner to protect their computers, home theater appliances as well as office and musical equipment recently.

Features

One of the highlights of the product is that it includes a 4,320-Joule energy rating, which is quite impressive and testifies that the product would do a great job at resisting electrical surges.

An important aspect of noise filtration which has probably been overlooked by many power conditioner manufactures in the recent past is the minimization of noise for quiet operation. This implies all those undesirable, irritable sounds emitted by your equipment can be curbed to a great extent as long as you have the Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner at your disposal.

The design of the power conditioner is quite compact, which means it can be even tucked into any corner of the room and doesn’t demand much space. As a space-efficiency measure, the manufacturer is also offering a cord management clip that helps keeps those long cables organized. Since these clips fold wires and prevent them from spreading them on the floor, this fact implies ample space for other AC power control modules.

What We Like About Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner

The prime differentiating factor, as far as the Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner is concerned, is that the makers are offering 12 outlets, which is much more than what most products offer. They are so evenly placed that not even a single outlet would get blocked and the power is uniformly distributed across the conditioner.

The 12-outlet product roughly resembles a power strip with an attached 8-foot long cord that makes it easy to stretch the product and extend it in just any direction effortlessly. The product is quite affordable too as compared to several other power conditioners, and considering its many benefits, the Pivot Plug BP112230-08 is totally worth an investment.

What We Don’t Like About Belkin Pivot Plug BP112230-08 Power Conditioner

Once again, the biggest dampener as far as this product is concerned is the fact that the makers aren’t offering a warranty. This could be a cause for concern, especially if you don’t entirely trust the reputation of the manufacturer and fear a lack of longevity.

The technical specification sheet of the power conditioner which you find online does mention a lifetime warranty and a $300,000 worth equipment warranty. However, a few customers that trusted this claim couldn’t get any sort of compensation for their damaged electrical equipment.

PROS

  • Quite affordable
  • Includes 12 outlets

CONS

  • Warranty doesn’t live up to expectations

7. Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Voltage Regulator/Power Conditioner

Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Voltage Regulator/Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

Best suited for radio stations and very high-end music studios, there aren’t many power conditioners that achieve RMS voltage regulation to the extent that this cool product does. The power conditioner helps deliver at least 120 volts of AC power consistently and has proved to be efficient at the elimination of the irregularities usually caused by AC line voltages.

Features

The front panel also includes an additional USB port, apart from the other conventional slots to plug-in a wide range of media devices, including USB lamps.

The ability of the power conditioner that definitely deserves a mention is the Series Multi-Stage Protection Plus (SMP+) that offers AC surge protection that’s largely unparalleled. In fact, the SMP is Furman’s exclusive technology that no other manufacturer’s product would probably offer you. This is one of the vital reasons why you should consider buying a product manufactured by the brand, apart from its mere reputation.

As its name suggests, the power filtration offered by this conditioner is also quite advanced and offers unparalleled audio and video clarity. Lift Technology, is that exclusive invention of Furman that’s responsible for this high degree of precision and yet another feature you don’t find elsewhere. If you aren’t really satisfied by the line noise cancellation abilities of many other power conditioners, it is probably time you consider this Furman invention.

What We Like About Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Voltage Regulator/Power Conditioner

The Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Power Conditioner includes an advanced EVS circuitry that’s quite adept at detecting sudden voltage fluctuations or jolts, which could cause irrecoverable equipment damage. The abbreviation stands for Extreme Voltage Shutdown, which quite obviously explains how the conditioner would shield equipment from dangerous electrical surges.

What We Don’t Like About Furman P-1800 AR Advanced Level Voltage Regulator/Power Conditioner

The power conditioner is quite expensive since it is tailored for large commercial spaces that are at a high risk of damage that could be triggered due to electrical surges. However, if you are considering buying a power conditioner for your humble home entertainment environment, you could probably skip this product and consider several other options.

PROS

  • Advanced EVS circuitry
  • SMP+

CONS

  • Quite expensive

8. Pyle PCO850 Power Conditioner

Pyle PCO850 Power Conditioner

Product Highlights

Here’s another Pyle product you could probably include in your list of priorities at the moment. There are several highlights which have sort of become the reasons behind the power conditioner’s soaring popularity. To simply summarize, an impressive feature set and its ability to shield equipment from the ill-effects of RFI (Radio Frequency) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), makes it worth an investment.

Features

The PCO850 offers 150 joules energy dissipation and 1200 amp peak impulse current which collectively is the perfect combination to manage voltage surges. If you reside in regions known for stormy weather, you would realize the abilities of this product and its current and energy ratings would seem to make more sense.

Employing a power conditioner with such a configuration would enhance the longevity of the equipment installed in your studios and offices.
The makers have included a master power switch that can be turned off anytime the product is not in use as an energy conservation measure. The energy that can be conserved due to this practice is immense, and you would eventually witness a drastic reduction in your monthly utility bills.
On close inspection of the power conditioner, you would notice that the makers have included 8 outlets in the rear side of the device and 1 in the front panel.

The makers have also invested a lot of thought in the design of this power conditioner, however, there is one aspect of its build that deserves special mention. The PCO850 has been tailored for 1 rackmount installation, which also helps achieve cable management seamlessly. Thus, the power conditioner can be easily tucked in any corner of the room and makes the workplace it is installed in aesthetically high.

The minimal expectations many owners of musical equipment have from power conditioners is that they possess a built-in noise filter that helps cleanse the overall audio and video output. If you feel your home theatre system has failed to meet your expectations and sort of delivers distorted sound, you could probably consider this Pyle invention.

What We Like About Pyle PCO850 Power Conditioner

Apart from being impeccable at surge protection, a key factor that distinguishes the PCO850 power conditioner from a string of devices of its kind is its body. The chassis of this product is quite sturdy, and it also includes a 6-feet long cord.

The power conditioner can be easily plugged into any AC outlet and you could turn it into a charging hub of sorts. Be it a laptop, smartphone, or any bulky charger, you can plug any additional electronic equipment into this conditioner to power them for considerably long periods.

What We Don’t Like About Pyle PCO850 Power Conditioner

A few users have opined that the surge protection offered by the product is subjective to the degree of voltage fluctuation offered by the PCO850 power conditioner. To be precise, the product may fail to live up to the expectations in cases of extreme weather conditions such as lightning and thunder.

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However, this behavior has been exhibited inconsistently by the product. Considering Pyle’s past reputation, mainly its finesse at engineering great electrical equipment is one of the reasons why you could still go ahead and consider buying the device.

PROS

  • Sturdy body
  • AC power filter

CONS

  • Surge protection inconsistent

Final Verdict

Our research has revealed that the Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner is one of the best devices of its kind available currently. Apart from the reputation of the manufacturer, a brand that has already produced a string of such equipment already, the affordability is another factor why you could consider buying it.

However, we suggest you go through the other products included in this compilation of best power conditioner audiophiles to zero-in on a product best tailored to your expectations.

More to read:

Get Your Groove on With these Top 10 Metronomes

 

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