So, your studio is growing and you’re starting to get an impressive list of equipment. As that list continues to grow, you’re probably wondering how you can protect all of that valuable gear from any potential damage. Well, a great first step that you can take is to invest in the best power conditioner for your specific setup.
While it’s true that power conditioners aren’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about home studio equipment, they are still extremely important. They are the first line of defense from power surges and can even limit electrical noise created from your signal flow.
In this article, we will go over all of the factors worth considering before buying a new power conditioner. On top of that, I’ll give you my top picks of the best power conditioners that money can buy.
First, we need to learn a little more about power conditioners and why it’s imperative that you add one to your studio rack.
Quick Picks
| Image | Product | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK  | Furman PL-8C Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED status indicators — Features: Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology | 9.7 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
RUNNER-UP  | Furman PL-PLUS C & DMC Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltmeter, ammeter — Features: Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology | 9.6 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
PREMIUM PICK  | Furman P-1800 AR Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltmeter, current meter, status indicators — USB: 1 x Type A — Features: Linear Filtering Technology, True RMS Voltage Regulation Technology, Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown | 9.8 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
WELL-ROUNDED  | Furman M8DX Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltage meter, protection indicator — Features: RFI/EMI filtration | 9.4 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
BEST DUAL-MONITOR SETUP  | Furman M-8x2 Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED protection indicator — Features: RFI/EMI filtration | 9.3 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
BUDGET PICK  | Pyle PCO850 Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Features: RFI/EMI + AC filtration, Circuit Breaker | 9.1 | View On Amazon |
BEST POWER STRIP  | Furman PST-8D Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 8 — Output Current: 15 amps — Features: Coaxial In/Out, Telephone In/Out, Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology | 9.2 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
ALTERNATIVE PICK  | Furman SS6B Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 6 — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED status indicators — Features: RFI/EMI filtering | 9 | View On AmazonView At Guitar Center |
SECOND BEST POWER STRIP  | Panamax M8-AV Pro Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 8 — Output Current: 15 amps — Features: AVM (Automatic Voltage Monitoring), COAX/SAT Protection, Premium Filtration, 12 Volt Trigger, Telephone/LAN Line Protection | 9.1 | View On Amazon |
What Is A Power Conditioner?
In its most basic form, a power conditioner (otherwise known as a line conditioner) is a device that acts as a barrier between your studio equipment and your local power source.
As we all know, every city has a different “quality” to their electricity. Some areas are more prone to incoming line voltage irregularities while others see regular blackouts.
Forms Of Electrical Deviations
Now, voltage disruptions come in a number of different forms. Some of them are more chronic or severe than others. To better understand how a power conditioner works, we need to lay out all of the different types of voltage problems that can occur from your local power source.
- Blackouts
- Brownouts
- ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI)
- Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
- Power surges
- Transients
- Frequency variations
- Harmonic content in the waveform
- Over voltage
- Voltage sags
There are plenty more than that, but that gives you an idea of the potential problems that can occur in your setup.
This is where the power conditioner comes into play.
Every piece of equipment in your studio requires power, and most likely it’s all connected to your wall outlet. From there, your house gets its power from your local power grid. Depending on where you live, you might be more susceptible to one of the many forms of interference or voltage irregularities. Even if you’re not, then things can still go wrong at any given time.
How Power Conditioning Works
A power conditioner —typically mounted in your studio rack— is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that’s designed to protect anything connected to it from electrical damage.
You plug it into your wall, and from there the device gives you an array of “protected” outlets that you can connect all of your studio equipment to.
This is very similar to how a normal household power strip surge protector works. The electrical barrier that the power conditioner creates protects your gear from voltage spikes or extreme voltage shutdown.
When an overload current is detected by the power conditioner, it shuts off immediately to prevent damage and to prevent tripping your circuit breaker.
Power conditioners have two main jobs, and those are surge protection and voltage maintenance. That being said, most power conditioners perform a multitude of other helpful functions as well.
Additional Functions Found On The Best Power Conditioners
What makes studio power conditioners special is their additional features. For example, each one of those “protected” outlets will have special filtering that’s designed to give you a cleaner electrical waveform. This helps to cut out electrical noise that inevitably finds its way into your studio equipment.
On top of that, an advanced power conditioner will have input voltage displays, at least one outlet on the front, and a separate power switch. Some options will even have an onboard circuit breaker to take the load off of the big one in your house.
Honestly though, you don’t need to get a power conditioner with a lot of extra features. These devices can get expensive, and they try to upsell you on a bunch of fluff. As long as it protects your gear and cleans out your electrical signal, then you’re totally fine.
The question is: what exactly are the benefits of adding a power conditioner to your studio? How can you properly utilize one for your setup?
The Benefits Of Power Conditioners
The obvious answer is that power conditioners protect your gear from electrical damage, but there are a number of other reasons why it’s important to have one. Let’s clearly lay out all of the advantages that a power conditioner will bring to your studio.
- Surge protection – as opposed to a basic consumer power strip surge protector, a power conditioner is far more resistant to transient voltages. Power line conditioners are specifically designed to handle excessive amounts of voltage without damaging anything that’s connected to it.
- Limit unwanted electrical noise – it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate electrical noise that’s added from your local power source. Some power conditioners use linear filtering technology to filter out unwanted noise to a higher degree. It’s never going to be 100%, but a power conditioner will certainly clean up the signal to your audio interface or computer quite well. This can potentially improve the overall sound quality in your studio.
- Optimized performance – by adding a power conditioner to your signal flow, you’re greatly improving the performance of every piece of equipment that’s plugged into it. Between the stabilized voltage and the filtered current, every device works cleanly with a higher level of consistency.
- Voltage maintenance – power line conditioners work hard to smooth out electrical waveforms and make things more consistent. In turn, you’ll have a cleaner flow of electricity and some very happy pieces of equipment.
- Suppressed noise between other devices – power line conditioners use different outlets for analog and digital equipment, and there is an inherent benefit to those two being on different frequencies. The separation of the two frequencies keeps certain noises from transferring between signals.
- Cable management – a power conditioner is a form of cable management by design. All of your power cords from all of your studio equipment is connected to one device in your studio rack. This design ultimately makes your cables more organized and less cluttered.
The truth is that power conditioners aren’t just limited to your studio equipment. With an outlet on the front, you can plug in a phone charger or lamps and they’ll be protected. You can use one outlet for your TV or any other expensive electronic devices that are laying around in your studio.
Power line conditioners provide you with peace of mind more than anything else, and that’s priceless!
AC Power & How It Applies To Your Studio
Power line conditioners are equipped with AC power outlets. Anything with a 2 or 3-prong connector is AC. We’re talking about the connectors you’d find on standard charging boxes you’d find on phone chargers, power cables for laptops/desktops, and yes, even most of your studio equipment.
The number of AC power outlets found on power conditioners varies, but most of the time 8 outlets should be enough with at least one front outlet. If you need more AC power outlets, then you can opt for a higher outlet count in a more expensive option, or you can consolidate multiple power strips into your conditioner and everything will still be protected and conditioned properly.
Additional Tips For Buying A Power Conditioner
- Consider your budget: I mentioned earlier that power line conditioners can get pricey very quickly. The more features there are, the more expensive the device will be. The truth is, you don’t need a whole lot of fancy frills on your new power conditioner. Just make sure it’s made by a reliable brand. As long as it does it’s core job well, then that’s all you need.
- Think about the number of outlets you need: Take an inventory of your studio equipment. How many plugs do you have? Once you have that number, then you can look for a power conditioner with that amount of AC outlets plus a few more for good measure. It’s a simple task that will save you a lot of trouble.
- Ease of use: Cord length and ease of operation both play a huge role in the day to day use of your new power conditioner. A simple on/off power switch, a main power cord that’s plenty long, and maintenance-free capabilities should ensure that you won’t have to hassle with the device very often.
- Look for adequate noise-filtering: EMI and RFI are a parasite in an electrical signal flow. Really, any electrical noise should be eradicated as much as possible. In my list of top picks, I’ve done my best to include options with adequate noise-filtration capabilities, but it never hurts to double check other verified users’ reviews of the device.
Best Power Conditioner Reviews List
Okay, so now that we’ve tackled the big stuff, it’s time to dive into my list of the best power conditioners on the market today. As long as you keep everything we’ve talked about thus far in mind, then you’re sure to make an educated decision on a device for your specific studio setup.
Furman PL-8C
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED status indicators — Lights: Pull-out dimmable LED lights, Rear panel BNC connector — Features: Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable, 90-139V AC operating voltage — Height: 1.75" — Width: 19" — Depth: 10.5" — Weight: 12 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Not overly expensive
+ Simple, yet effective
+ Plenty of outlets
Reasons To Avoid:
- Not necessarily packed with extra features
In the top spot we have a power conditioner option that checks most of the crucial boxes without breaking the bank. The Furman PL-8C is a happy middle-ground choice that offers plenty of outlets, excellent noise filtering, and an easy-to-use design.
You’ll see that most of the best power conditioners on this list are Furman products, and that’s simply because they are the gold standard in this particular area. Each one of their products is pretty much a different variation of the same quality. The PL-8C is the definition of “bang-for-your-buck” due to its internal capabilities.
For example, the PL-8C power conditioner comes equipped with Furman’s exclusive Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) technology, isolated outlet banks for inter-component interference, and Furman’s Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT) for top-notch noise filtering. There are also retractable LED racks lights with on/off and dimmer controls.
The best feature of all is Furman’s Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS). This is a smart feature that’s designed to detect massive transients and any other irregularities. From there, the device shuts down automatically to protect your gear from any damage.
Now, this Furman power conditioner doesn’t come with a lot of those fancy features that you’ll see in other options. There is no voltage meter display and no USB port, but these are by no means deal breakers. They are cool features to have in a more expensive power line conditioner, but the PL-8C is a bare-bones device that will still give you exceptional performance.
All in all, this option is perfect for those of you who just want to protect your equipment and filter out electrical noise without spending an arm and a leg to do so.
Furman PL-PLUS C & DMC
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltmeter, ammeter — Lights: Pull-out dimmable LED lights, Rear panel BNC connector — Features: Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable, 90-139V AC operating voltage — Height: 1.75" — Width: 19" — Depth: 10.5" — Weight: 12.3 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Excellent value
+ Quite powerful & effective
+ Feature-rich
Reasons To Avoid:
- None
Now, we step it up a notch with the runner-up on this list. You have two power conditioner options to choose from here, with only one small difference between the two. The Furman PL-PLUS C has a row of LED lights that display incoming voltage, whereas the DMC has a numerical display that shows both amps and voltage. Pictured is the Furman PL-PLUS DMC.
To be clear, we’re essentially talking about the same product as the PL-8C with the same Advanced Level Power Conditioning, just with a few more bells and whistles. You still get Furman’s Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS), Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) technology, and Linear Filtering Technology LiFT, and isolated noise filter banks. The main difference in these power line conditioners is their displays.
Some producers want to have a display like those found on these power conditioners. For instance, it makes your studio rack setup look more professional and it gives your visitors the impression that you take your equipment seriously. On top of that, it can actually be helpful to see how everything is performing in real-time.
If you’re looking for a power conditioner that’s just a little bit fancier, then either the Furman PL PLUS C or DMC are the way to go. The voltage displays can actually be useful, and you’ll make your studio rack look that much better.
Furman P-1800 AR
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltmeter, current meter, status indicators — Lights: Rear panel BNC connector — USB: 1 x Type A — Features: Linear Filtering Technology, True RMS Voltage Regulation Technology, Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable, 97-137V AC operating voltage — Height: 1.75" — Width: 19" — Depth: 12.0" — Weight: 15 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Loaded with features
+ Premium quality
+ Voltage regulation
Reasons To Avoid:
- Expensive
Okay, now we take the list even higher in quality with this next option from Furman. Unlike the previous two power conditioners, the P-1800 AR does give you an extra feature that isn’t just aesthetic and it actually enhances its performance. The feature I’m talking about is voltage regulation.
Only the most premium power line conditioners are equipped with voltage regulation, and with that comes a steep hike in price. That being said, it’s a feature that’s more than worth it in the end if you can afford it.
You must be wondering what the voltage regulation feature actually means. To put it simply, the Furman P-1800 AR guarantees a clean and stable 120 volts of AC, 24 hours a day. This ensures that your studio equipment is protected from voltage spikes and irregularities and gives you a level of performance that’s unparalleled.
Outside of voltage regulation, this Furman power conditioner still offers all of the other features that you’d come to expect from a Furman product. These features include EVS, LiFT, SMP. The P-1800 AR goes the extra mile with another feature with the USB port that’s located on the front.
The only thing that’s missing is the retractable LED lights that are found in numerous other Furman power conditioners, but it’s not a huge deal with the other features that are present. Really though, this is an ultra-premium option and if you can get past the price tag, then you’re truly giving yourself the best possible protection for your studio equipment.
Furman M8DX
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED voltage meter, protection indicator — Lights: Pull-out dimmable incandescent lights — Features: RFI/EMI filtration — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Height: 1.75" — Width: 19" — Depth: 7.5" — Weight: 6 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Voltmeter display
+ Affordable
+ Easy to use
Reasons To Avoid:
- Some reports of noise even with filtration
The Furman M8DX takes it down a notch in terms of features, but it goes a long way in saving you a few bucks along the way. This power conditioner is a no frills option that still manages to offer a modest voltage display. There are a few features that the M8DX sacrifices for a lower price point though.
For one, there is no 12v lamp port. Also, there is no LiFT, no EVS, and no SMP. The M8DX offers the basics when it comes to surge protection and noise filtration. As Furman puts it, this device offers “Standard Level Power Conditioning.” Although it doesn’t have the notable features found in more premium options, it still gives you plenty of protection against voltage irregularities and you will still have 9 total outlets to use.
The only downside to this power conditioner is the reports of noise still being present even with its AC filtration system. Despite those reports —which aren’t overly common— this is one of the most popular power conditioners that Furman offers. That can probably be attributed to the affordable price tag that comes with it.
So, if you’re looking for a way to protect your studio equipment without putting a hole in your wallet, then the Furman M8DX is a solid choice.
Furman M-8x2
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED protection indicator — Features: RFI/EMI filtration — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Height: 1.75" — Width: 19" — Depth: 7.5" — Weight: 4.9 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Very popular
+ Low price tag
+ Easy to set up & use
Reasons To Avoid:
- None
We just talked about the Furman M8DX, and this next power line conditioner is the same exact device, just without the voltage display. No display means an even lower price point. In fact, the Furman M-8X2 is one of the most affordable power conditioners on this list, and that has made it extremely popular.
Again, this is a basic power conditioner, just like the M8DX. There is no EVS, SMP, or LiFT. Also, you won’t get the famed LED rack lights on the M-8X2 either. This device is completely stripped down to the essentials: surge protection and noise filtration.
Oddly enough, the M-8X2 has far fewer reports of residual noise compared to the M8DX, so it seems like it performs even better at a much lower price. With that, if you don’t need a voltage display, then this option might be the better choice.
The only reason I didn’t place the M-8X2 surge protector higher on the list despite its popularity is because it really is the definition of basic. For some users, that’s exactly what they’re looking for. If that sounds like you, then you really can’t go wrong with this simple power conditioner.
Pyle PCO850
Specifications:
Type: Rackmount — Number of Outlets: 8 x Rear, 1 x Front — Output Current: 15A — Features: RFI/EMI + AC filtration, Circuit Breaker — Rackmountable: Yes — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Dimensions (L x D x H): 19.0 x 3.9 x 1.8 inches
Reasons To Buy:
+ Tight, compact design
+ Highly affordable
+ Still has plenty of outlets
Reasons To Avoid:
- Might be too simple for some
Similar to the M-8X2 from Furman, the Pyle PCO850 is an extremely simple power conditioner with plenty of outlets and great protection. It does have built-in noise filtering that gives Furman a run for its money.
The main reason why I included this option on this list of best power conditioners is to give you another brand to choose from. Pyle is a reliable manufacturer and I’m sure you were getting tired of the numerous Furman options.
The great thing about this particular power conditioner is it’s form factor. It’s still rackmountable, but it’s very compact. This affords you some extra freedoms not only in how you mount it on your rack, but also in what size of studio rack you can use. Alternatively, if you don’t have the room for it on a rack, then it can easily be used as a desktop power conditioner as well.
This is the cheapest power conditioner on this list, but it will still protect your gear well and the noise filtration is very good. It’s a great budget choice for producers with smaller home studios.
Furman PST-8D
Specifications:
Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 8 — Output Current: 15 amps — Features: Coaxial In/Out, Telephone In/Out, Series Multi-Stage Protection, Extreme Voltage Shutdown, Linear Filtering Technology — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Height: 2.7" — Width: 17.75" — Depth: 3.75" — Weight: 4.85 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
Sturdy build quality
Fair price
Reliable & portable
Reasons To Avoid:
- A little pricey for a “floor” power conditioner
As far as floor power conditioners go, the Furman PST-8D is about as good as it gets. You get a lot of the premium features that Furman offers including SMP, EVS, and LiFT. The only difference is that it is a floor conditioner design as opposed to a rackmount design.
This floor power conditioner is a consumer power strip surge protector on a whole other level. This is easily the best option for producers who don’t want a rackmount power conditioner, but still want the best protection possible for their studio equipment. The best part is, you still get 8 total outlets.
The only complaint I have is the price. As a floor conditioner, you’re paying the same amount as you would for some of the rackmount options from above and even more in some cases. That being said, as I stated before, this is one of the best when it comes to floor conditioners, so the hefty price is somewhat understandable.
Furman SS6B
Specifications:
Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 6 — Output Current: 15A — Display: LED status indicators — Features: RFI/EMI filtering — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Height: 1.5" — Width: 3.5" — Depth: 9.5" — Weight: 2.64 lbs.
Reasons To Buy:
+ Great non-rackmount option
+ 15-foot power cord
+ Still has EMI/RFI noise attenuation
Reasons To Avoid:
- May not have enough outlets for everyone
These last few power conditioner options are what are considered “floor conditioners” meaning non-rackmounted. Essentially, these are similar to your run-of-the-mill consumer power strips, but are better equipped with higher levels of surge protection.
The Furman 66-8B looks like a consumer power strip surge protector, but it comes with a handful of features that would be found on a rack mount power conditioner. For instance, it features EMI/RFI noise attenuation, an onboard circuit breaker, and basic power conditioning capabilities.
Although it’s very basic, it will still protect your studio equipment better than a consumer power strip surge protector will and it will even filter out an adequate amount of noise. On top of that, you get 6 total outlets that are all protected.
To summarize, if you don’t have a studio rack and you just want to protect your gear, then this floor power conditioner will serve you very well. On top of that, it’s quite affordable to boot.
Panamax M8-AV Pro
Specifications:
Type: Power Strip — Number of Outlets: 8 — Output Current: 15 amps — Features: AVM (Automatic Voltage Monitoring), COAX/SAT Protection, Premium Filtration, 12 Volt Trigger, Telephone/LAN Line Protection — Power Source: Fixed AC cable — Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 1.75 inches
Reasons To Buy:
+ Premium “floor” conditioner
+ Good amount of outlets
+ Versatile
Reasons To Avoid:
- A little expensive for what you get
I wanted to include another brand in the floor conditioner category, and the Panamax M8-AV Pro is an excellent choice. The price sits somewhere between the other two Furman options, but it offers Exclusive Automatic Voltage Monitoring (AVM) which is a feature that’s missing on the Furman PST-8D.
Again, this is another premium floor power line conditioner, so it is pretty expensive. The price is easy to swallow when you see everything you get though. You get 8 protected AC outlets, 2 LAN ports that are protected, and even 4 protected Coax ports. On top of that, Panamax has great noise filtration technology for a clear signal flow.
This floor power conditioner has a great aesthetic look to it with some truly great capabilities. It’s a toss up between the Panamax M8-AV Pro and the Furman PST-8D in the floor power conditioner category, and it really comes down to what you need for your specific setup. Honestly, either one is a great choice.
Conclusion
Like we talked about at the beginning of this article, power conditioners aren’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about home studio equipment. The reality is that they act as a form of insurance for all of your expensive equipment, and that kind of peace of mind is priceless.
The clear winner on this list of best power conditioner options is the Furman PL-8C. It has the best price-to-performance ratio on this list. You get the very best features that Furman has to offer in a simple, affordable package.
Every option on this list of best power conditioners has a lot to offer for any user. That is exactly why I included so many choices. Every producer’s setup is different from the last, and your needs are specific to you.
My only goal here was to provide you with some useful information on your hunt for your new power line conditioner. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime.
Good luck guys!
