I bought the Apogee Groove Anniversary Edition from Thomann, and it has completely transformed my portable setup. The sound is exceptionally clean and precise and very much on the clinical side with outstanding separation that makes it ideal for critical listening, mixing and mastering on the go.
If you notice it getting warm during use, don’t be concerned as that’s entirely normal for a device of this quality and power in such a compact form.
Speaking of size, it’s genuinely impressive. It’s no bigger than a packet of chewing gum, yet it delivers performance that rivals much larger desktop units. The solid metal construction feels premium and durable, while the included cables are a thoughtful addition with both USB-A and USB-C options covered. The longer cable length gives you flexibility in real-world setups.
I’ve paired it with my Sennheiser HD490 Pro Plus headphones and the combination is phenomenal. It’s a true mobile mixing and mastering solution. Since I already use an Apogee Duet 2 for recording, I didn’t need inputs here and this fits perfectly into my workflow. I’m planning to upgrade to the Symphony Desktop when I move to a new Mac Studio, but for now, this setup is more than enough.
Currently, I’m using it with a MacBook Neo and an iPad Pro M5, with flawless performance. In my own testing, the Groove Anniversary Edition actually outperforms the Duet 2 in terms of pure output clarity and detail. I’m certain it is superior to the Duet 3 too.
For its size and price, this is an incredible piece of kit and a clear step up from the original Groove. Everything fits neatly into my backpack and I finally feel like I have a truly professional mobile studio wherever I go.
The only minor drawback is that the sound signature may come across as slightly harsh to some listeners, but that’s easily dialled in with a good EQ curve. This could because my Sennheiser’s haven’t burned in yet, being new and all.
Highly recommended for anyone serious about high-quality portable audio without compromise for making acoustic content on the go with a studio-like soundstage.
I have to praise Thomann for never failing me in all my years as a customer, their service is excellent, timely and reliable at great value.
