Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB - Waves Certified Ethernet Adapter
Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB - Waves Certified Ethernet Adapter
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The Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB Adapter is the official Waves SoundGrid-certified Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet interface for Mac.
Delivering ultra-low-latency, time-synchronised network connectivity for SuperRack, eMotion LV1, and DiGiGrid MGB/MGO/MGR Interfaces.
Certified SoundGrid Compatibility
Officially approved by Waves, the Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB Adapter is the trusted solution for connecting Thunderbolt-equipped Macs to SoundGrid networks.
Waves SuperRack SoundGrid for live plug-in processing
Waves eMotion LV1 for multitrack recording and playback
DiGiGrid MGB/MGO/MGR with QRec for reliable capture and virtual soundcheck
Professional-Grade Network Performance
AVB-Compliant Gigabit Ethernet: IEEE 802.1AS and 802.1Qat/av for guaranteed stream reservation and phase-accurate clocking.
Ultra-Low Latency: Optimised for real-time audio transfer across SoundGrid and AVB networks.
Bus-Powered Simplicity: No external PSU needed — powered entirely via Thunderbolt.
Compact & Portable: Designed for studios, OB vans, and mobile rigs.
Includes: 0.5 m Thunderbolt cable and ThunderLok clip to prevent accidental disconnection.
What’s in the Box
Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB Adapter
0.5 m Thunderbolt (40 Gbps) cable
ThunderLok cable retention clip
Quick Start Guide
Key Specifications
Interface: Thunderbolt 3/4 (compatible with Thunderbolt 2 via adapter)
Network Port: 1 × RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T)
Standards: IEEE 802.1AS, 802.1Qat/av (AVB compliant)
Power: Bus-powered via Thunderbolt
Dimensions: 98 × 38 × 21 mm (approx.)
Compatibility: macOS 10.12 or later, Intel & Apple Silicon Macs
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Technical Specs
Hardware
Form Factor
- Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter
External Connectors
- One Thunderbolt port
- One RJ45 port
GbE Controller
- Broadcom BCM57762
Bus Interface
- 40Gbps Thunderbolt
Network Support
- 1000BASE-T, 100BASE-TX
Packets
- Maximum packet size: 9000 bytes
Data Rates Supported
- 1Gb/s, 100Mb/s
Advanced Features
- Audio Video Bridging (AVB) protocols over Ethernet compliant with IEEE 802.AS, 1588-2008, P802.1Qat, and P802.1Qav
- Energy-Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az)
- Virtual LAN (VLAN) support - IEEE 802.1q VLAN
- Wake-on-LAN (WOL) support
Stateless Oflloads
- TCP, UDP and IPv4 checksum offloading
- TSO (TCP Segmentation Offload, AKA Large Send Offload)
- LRO (Large Receive Offload)
- RSS (Receiver Side Scaling)
AVDECC Compliant
- Yes
Operating Temperature
- 0ºC to 35ºC (32ºF to 95ºF)
Dimensions (WxDxH)
- 5 x 3.9 x 0.8 in. (38.1 x 98.4 x 20.6 mm)
Weight
- Adapter: 0.20 lbs (0.09 kg)
Compliance
- RoHS 3 (Directive 2015/863)
- IEC62368-1 and IEC62368-2 Safety
Case Studies
FAQ
What does “Waves Certified Ethernet Adapter” mean?
A “Waves Certified Ethernet Adapter” means the device has been tested and approved by Waves Audio for use with SoundGrid systems. Certification ensures the adapter meets performance requirements for stable low-latency audio networking, reducing the risk of dropouts or connectivity issues during live or studio use.
Is the Sonnet AVB adapter compatible with macOS?
Yes, the Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB Ethernet Adapter is fully compatible with macOS. It works with macOS’s built-in AVB support and does not typically require additional drivers for basic operation, making it easy to integrate into audio production setups.
Does the Sonnet AVB adapter reduce audio latency?
Yes, when used within a properly configured AVB or Waves SoundGrid system, the adapter helps maintain extremely low and stable latency. This is especially important for live monitoring, recording, and real-time audio processing.
What is the difference between this and a standard Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter?
A standard Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter is designed for general networking use, while the Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB adapter is optimised and certified for professional audio networking. It provides better timing stability, AVB support, and improved performance in real-time audio environments.
If you wish to chat more about how to build a system around the Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB - Waves Certified Ethernet Adapter or integrate this into your current system, give us a call or email at: