---
title: Why is Element Thunderbolt 1 and Ensemble Thunderbolt 2?
description: The Element units are Thunderbolt 1 chipset, while Ensemble Thunderbolt and Symphony MkII are Thunderbolt 2 chipset.
---

[Skip to content](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/why-is-element-thunderbolt-1-and-ensemble-thunderbolt-2#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en)

![Apogee Logo White.png\]](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apogee%20Logo%20White.png?height=40&name=Apogee%20Logo%20White.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [Contact us](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/kb-tickets/new)
- Go to apogeedigital.com

 Go to apogeedigital.com

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Legacy Products](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en)
3. [Element Series](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#element-series)

# Why is Element Thunderbolt 1 and Ensemble Thunderbolt 2?

The Element units are Thunderbolt 1 chipset, while Ensemble Thunderbolt and Symphony MkII are Thunderbolt 2 chipset.

It is important to clarify what the "speed" designation really means, as it can be a bit misleading.

You can see from this link:

[https://www.macworld.com/article/2083257/what-you-need-to-know-about-thunderbolt-2.html](https://www.macworld.com/article/2083257/what-you-need-to-know-about-thunderbolt-2.html)

 

*Thunderbolt 2 is an update to the original Thunderbolt specification and takes the original’s two 10 Gbps bi-directional channels and combines them into a single 20 Gbps bi-directional channel. The amount of data able to go through a Thunderbolt connection hasn’t increased, but the throughput of a single channel has been doubled.*

 

Because the Element Series are a lower channel count device that only needs 1 lane of bandwidth, making them Thunderbolt 2 would have no effect but would make them cost the user more.  It would not lower latency, only make the Element Series able to pass more channels, which are not present.

On the Ensemble Thunderbolt and Symphony I/O MkII it is much more important to have Thunderbolt 2, because those units are passing far more channels, up to 64 channels with two Symphony I/O MkII units in multi-unit mode.

Thus you will find exactly the same roundtrip latency time on Element as Ensemble Thunderbolt, regardless of Thunderbolt 1 vs 2.

[Connecting Apogee Thunderbolt to Macs with USB-C ports](https://knowledgebase.apogeedigital.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045884614)

- [BOOM](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [FAQs](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/boom?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [Duet 3](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [FAQs](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/duet-3?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [Symphony Desktop](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-desktop?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-desktop?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-desktop?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-desktop?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-desktop?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [Symphony Studio](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [FAQ](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-studio?hsLang=en#faq)
- [Symphony I/O Mk 2](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Compatibility](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#compatibility)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/symphony-i-o-mk-2?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [Jam X](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/jam-x?hsLang=en)
- [HypeMiC](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hypemic?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hypemic?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hypemic?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hypemic?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
- [MiC +](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/mic?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/mic?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/mic?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/mic?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [ClipMic digital 2](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/clipmic-digital-2?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/clipmic-digital-2?hsLang=en#getting-started)
- [Groove](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/groove?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Guide](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/groove?hsLang=en#user-guide)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/groove?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/groove?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/groove?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
- [Jam +](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/jam?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/jam?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/jam?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [MetaRecorder](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/metarecorder?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/metarecorder?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/metarecorder?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/metarecorder?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
- [Plugins](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Plugin FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#plugin-faqs)
    - [Clearmountain's 8068](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#clearmountains-8068)
    - [Clearmountain's Domain](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#clearmountains-domain)
    - [Clearmountain's Phases](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#clearmountains-phases)
    - [Symphony ECS Channel Strip](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#symphony-ecs-channel-strip)
    - [Pultec EQP-1A](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#pultec-eqp-1a)
    - [Opto-3A](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#opto-3a)
    - [Apogee FX Rack](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/plugins?hsLang=en#apogee-fx-rack)
- [Apogee Control Remote](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/apogee-control-remote?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/apogee-control-remote?hsLang=en#getting-started)
    - [FAQ's](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/apogee-control-remote?hsLang=en#faqs)
- [FAQ](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Compatibility](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#compatibility)
    - [Webstore Orders](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#webstore-orders)
    - [Warranty](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#warranty)
    - [Repairs](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#repairs)
    - [DAW](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#daw)
    - [Optimization](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#optimization)
    - [Windows](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#windows)
    - [Element Series](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#element-series)
    - [Announcements](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/faq?hsLang=en#announcements)
- [Legacy Products](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [AD-16x & DA-16x](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ad-16x-da-16x)
    - [AD-16 & DA-16 (non-x versions)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ad-16-da-16-non-x-versions)
    - [AD-8000](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ad-8000)
    - [AMBEO Smart Headset](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ambeo-smart-headset)
    - [AMBus Cards](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ambus-cards)
    - [Big Ben](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#big-ben)
    - [Duet (Firewire)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#duet-firewire)
    - [Duet 2](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#duet-2)
    - [Duet for iPad/Mac/PC (USB)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#duet-for-ipad-mac-pc-usb)
    - [Avid Pro Tools Duet](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#avid-pro-tools-duet)
    - [Element Series](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#element-series)
    - [Ensemble (Firewire)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ensemble-firewire)
    - [Ensemble (Thunderbolt)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#ensemble-thunderbolt)
    - [GiO](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#gio)
    - [Jam](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#jam)
    - [Maestro App](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#maestro-app)
    - [Maestro 2](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#maestro-2)
    - [MiC](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#mic)
    - [MINI Products](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#mini-products)
    - [One](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#one)
    - [One (iPad, Mac, PC)](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#one-ipad-mac-pc)
    - [PSX-100](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#psx-100)
    - [Quartet](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#quartet)
    - [Rosetta 200](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#rosetta-200)
    - [Rosetta 800](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#rosetta-800)
    - [Rosetta AD](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#rosetta-ad)
    - [Sennheiser ClipMic](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#sennheiser-clipmic)
    - [Symphony32 PCI Cards](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#symphony32-pci-cards)
    - [Symphony 64 PCIe & Thunderbridge](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#symphony-64-pcie-thunderbridge)
    - [Symphony I/O Mk 1](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#symphony-i-o-mk-1)
    - [Symphony Mobile](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#symphony-mobile)
    - [Trak2](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#trak2)
    - [X-Digi-Mix Option Card](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#x-digi-mix-option-card)
    - [X-FireWire Option Card](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#x-firewire-option-card)
    - [X-HD Option Card](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#x-hd-option-card)
    - [X-Symphony Option Card](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#x-symphony-option-card)
    - [Video Option Card](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/legacy-products?hsLang=en#video-option-card)
- [First Take](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/first-take?hsLang=en)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.apogeedigital.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apogee%20Logo%20Purple.png?width=24&height=24&name=Apogee%20Logo%20Purple.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.apogeedigital.com)

© 2024 Apogee Electronics

<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLDj_Rveg7lK-G6oXrBjukA>

Copyright © 2026, Apogee Electronics