Review of modern sound cards. Sound card for computer: how to choose the best one? Manufacturer reviews and comparison of the best models

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today we are going to talk about how to choose a good sound card for your computer or laptop. It would seem that such a simple device, and there are many different models on the market, you can simply take and install the first one that comes across. However, in reality it is not that simple. The problem of this choice is primarily faced by those who often listen to music, like to watch movies through a PC, or play 3D games. The best sound card is capable of transmitting a high-quality signal without any problems, but which one is actually the best, let's look at it in more detail.

What you should pay attention to first of all

Everyone knows that most modern motherboards contain a good integrated sound card. It is quite suitable for everyday use for those people who do not need high-quality sound. Of course, if a person wants to completely plunge into the world of sound effects, then not a single even the coolest integrated sound card will allow him to do this. Here it is necessary to talk about external devices of this type. It is common knowledge that DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Digital are standards that will allow you to watch movies in surround sound. Even if an inexpensive sound card has the ability to read these standards, it will allow you to watch movies with a minimum amount of noise and distortion in sound. This is very important in order to achieve a sense of presence when watching a movie. The presence of the standard - EAX ADVANCED HD allows you to get surround sound in the most advanced games.

EAX ADVANCED HD standard

Thanks to this component, all sounds that will come from the speakers will become much more realistic. Both analog and digital inputs can be present here. The first one almost always works with interference that is almost impossible to eliminate due to its design features. The digital input, on the other hand, excludes their education almost one hundred percent. You should always keep this in mind when it comes to choosing a cool sound card. It is worth noting the fact that some integrated systems have connectors for high-frequency signal transmission, and it is they that are recommended to be used for work. The amount of interference in this case will be minimal.

A type

Another problem that every person who decides to purchase a popular sound card will have to face is its type. However, the choice in this case is not great. There are two types of devices - external and internal.

Internal

The second type should not be confused with the integrated one. Almost any budget sound card is plugged into the PCI slot inside the system unit. It takes up a minimum of space and does not contain any additional wires. A very convenient option that most people use.

External

The external version of the device also has the right to exist. This is a separate unit that is installed outside the personal computer. It is worth noting the fact that it has relatively small geometric dimensions, so it does not create any additional interference during operation. A large number of different pins can be located on an external card, which significantly expands its functionality. At the same time, it is the only possible option for connecting the 5.1 system to a laptop. It is she who is the very connecting link between him and the sound system.

Functionality

All modern sound cards are divided into specific types depending on their functionality. Any device must have a minimum of 8 connectors, each of which performs a specific function. These include: a connector for connecting to an external device, that is, a computer or laptop, an output to the front and rear speakers, to the center channel, to a microphone, to headphones, a line channel, as well as a number of additional connectors that may be useful for certain cases.

Sound card connectors

Of course, the functionality of good sound cards depends on what they are used for. For living conditions, the three types of cards that were listed above will be quite enough. If we are talking about the computer of a professional musician, then here you should think about the possibility of connecting additional devices and the high quality of production of the board itself. Of course, this cannot but affect the cost of the device. In terms of price-quality ratio of a sound card for a person who just listens to music and watches movies, an option with high-quality connectors of the above types is suitable.

Sound card for a musician

And for musicians, high-quality sound cards are created, which are quite expensive. You can find a huge amount of information about such devices on specialized resources on the Internet. The forum about sound cards will tell a novice musician which particular option you need to pay attention to when buying. We bring to the attention of dear readers a small rating of inexpensive, but high-quality sound cards for a computer.

Rating of the best sound cards for a computer

That is, in a nutshell, everything you should look for when buying a sound card. And another small tip: after you have decided on the model of the card, it will not be superfluous to read the reviews of its real owners on the thematic forums. Do not forget to look at Youtube, there are video reviews of maps. And now I present to your attention a small rating of the best internal sound cards in the inexpensive segment.

ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3

Internal sound card ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 with connection type - PCI-E, has p Number of DAC and ADC -24 bit, and oh Signal-to-noise ratio of DAC and ADC -120 dB. Maximum frequency of stereo DAC, multichannel DAC and ADC - 192 kHz. The card has 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs. In addition, it has an optical input, coaxial output and HDMI 1.3 output / output. The device supports standards: EAX - v. 2, ASIO - v. 2.0 and OpenAL. According to reviews, this is a wonderful sound card for watching movies with a 7.1 audio system.

ASUS Xonar DG

Internal sound card ASUS Xonar DG with connection type - PCI 2.2, has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 4 analog inputs, 6 analog output channels and 3 analog output connectors. The model delivers clear and surround sound, supports the EAX - v. 2 and ASIO - v. 2.0. According to reviews, this is one of the best sound cards for listening to music through headphones. Owners of the device on the forums recommend installing drivers not from a disk. but from the Internet.

ASUS Xonar DGX

Internal sound card ASUS Xonar DGX with connection type - PCI-E, has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical output, 2 analog inputs, 6 output analog channels, 3 output analog connectors and a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC. The model supports the standard - EAX v. 5. To connect it, you need a PCI-Express slot on the motherboard. On the card itself there is a 7-pin (2 x 4 and one empty) output, where plugs for output to the front panel, headphones and a microphone are attached. The card understands that if you insert the headphones in front, the speakers in the back are turned off. The card owners recommend downloading the drivers to the card from the Asus website, not from the disk. The model has a high quality separate headphone amplifier.

Creative Recon3D PCIe

Internal sound card Creative Recon3D PCIe with connection type - PCI-E has the ability to output multi-channel audio. The card has a 24-bit DAC with a maximum stereo frequency of 96 kHz. The device has an optical input / output, 4 analog inputs, 6 output analog channels, a connector for connecting to the front panel of a PC, 3 output analog connectors and an independent headphone output connector. Model supports standards - EAX v. 2 and OpenAL ... The card has flexible settings from Windows, and according to reviews, it has proved itself to be excellent for the sound accompaniment of 3D games, striking the quality of sound effects. She behaves similarly when watching movies. Playing music with a card through any Hi-Fi headphones up to $ 200 fully reveals their potential.

You've probably already noticed that the number of steps in today's TOP has been halved. This is not a typo or an accident. Indeed, there are very, very few worthy solutions. Therefore, instead of trying to find diamonds in a mountain of garbage, I decided to make the selection shorter. But at the same time, the most verified

5th place. First level

Our good friend has registered here -. A tiny device only slightly larger than a USB flash drive.

But for all its indicative modesty, the U3 can boast of quite decent sound when playing basic FLAC 16/44. As well as an onboard headphone amplifier and optical output. The latter will be very useful when connecting a laptop to a high-end stationary DAC. The dimensions, in turn, make such a solution portable and as convenient as possible on the road.

Of course, it makes no sense to reproduce anything more serious than 16/44 with U3. But this "crumb" is quite capable of giving an idea of ​​lossless music to an absolute beginner in this field.

4th place. Already Hi-Res, but not cake yet

The first generation, in itself, was a very worthy solution for Hi-Res audio. And at the same time it had full RCA outputs, high-quality circuitry, great sound and a fairly powerful built-in headphone amplifier. The iDAC2 has gone even further with a more powerful amp that can drive 300 Ω. And also partially borrowing DSD-abilities from its iDSD-brother.

For all its removability and versatility, the iDAC range can still be considered a mobile solution. Weight and dimensions are within reasonable limits.

1st place. Hi-End

No matter how hard the manufacturing companies try, no one has yet succeeded in defeating the laws of physics. Absolutely all audio components responsible for signal processing absolutely need a well-organized power supply. It is this task of the electric "nutritionist" that the toroidal transformer in the Asus Xonar EONE Mk II (Essence One II) solves.

For the most accurate, detailed and reliable reproduction, the signal should not be affected by voltage drops and other artifacts inherent in ordinary power circuits. That is why a significant part of the internal volume of the heavy representative of the top line of external DACs from Asus is occupied by a transformer. The rest is left to the mercy of a high-quality electronic base. Support for all key switching interfaces, including balanced outputs! Reference sound and uncompromising attention to detail. All this makes the EONE line the pinnacle of external sound cards for any reasonable price. Further extends the world of esoteric components and astronomical prices. A world where sound quality fades into the background.

Therefore, today for music lovers and audiophiles seeking to get the maximum sound quality, EONE may well serve as the end point of their technological journey. Further movement already loses all meaning.

In the next issues, we will touch on the topic of sound cards in more detail for those who prefer DSD. And that's all for today. See you later! :)

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As a rule, all modern motherboard models are already equipped with built-in sound devices, even if we consider not the most top-end options. However, in this case, the resource of the entire system as a whole is used to reproduce sound, which has a very significant effect on the sound quality.

Music lovers will not be satisfied with this prospect, relying on the fact that such processing slows down the work of the system and “at the output” various kinds of interference are heard. Therefore, the optimal solution is to install a discrete (removable) card, for this reason, our rating of the best sound cards for internal and external placement types was compiled.

Which company should I buy a sound card?

First of all, it is worth deciding on the purpose of use. If your goal is listening to music, watching a movie or watching a YouTube video, then budget cards from manufacturers such as Creative sound or M-Audio... In case you are professionally engaged in sound processing or the financial issue is not important to you, and the sound quality plays a fundamental role, choose the best cards from ASUS or Steinberg, these manufacturing firms really deserve the attention of music lovers.

ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3

Our rating is headed by ASUS, which boasts a high-quality card with ASIO v 2.0 support, 24-bit / 192 kHz DAC, eight analog audio outputs and excellent quality, which is confirmed by a large number of positive reviews. Thanks to the analog converter frequency of 192 kHz, the sound becomes clearer compared to the budget segment of this peripheral. This will play a big role in the reproduction of sound through an audio system and formats such as FLAC or AAC. Unlike more expensive ASUS counterparts, this model has support for both OpenAL and EAX standards, not all modern novelties have such advantages along with high DAC performance.

Advantages:

• the ability to listen to HD Audio without changing the AV (amplifier / receiver)
• very detailed and balanced sound
• built-in card with excellent DAC level
• build quality and parts
• stable work of drivers
• full Blu-ray support

Flaws:

• many incomprehensible settings for audio transmission via HDMI
• high price

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Fx

The rating continues with a fairly inexpensive model of an external sound card based on Realtek without any additional hardware capabilities. In other words, the board repeats exactly the work of the integrated sound in the motherboard. The Realtek ALC898 chip was used, which is characterized by a DAC frequency of 110 kHz, which gives an excellent sounding output! Also, the advantage will be the moment that it can be inserted into a small-sized case. However, the Blaster Audigy Fx lacks SPDIF output and ASIO support at all, so if your card supports this format, you should pay attention to other models. A plus will be support for the EAX v5.0 standard, as well as compatibility with earlier versions of Windows such as Vista and XP.

Advantages:

• the presence of debugged drivers
• ease of customization
• excellent value for money
• low cost
• small size

Flaws:

• the presence of a background in the "silence"
• does not support ASIO

ASUS Strix Soar

The review continues with a good internal card for professional use. The Strix Soar is considered professional, has a DAC level of 24 bit / 192 kHz. The sound card can be used for LIVE recordings, which will allow you to focus on the quality of work, and for connoisseurs of high-quality sound, forget about the "noise" in the background forever. I would like to note that Strix Soar has support for ASIO v 2.2, which not every modern novelty can boast of. Equipped with a high-level 8-channel DAC, it is very easy to install drivers and further configure. Has a remote control and is equipped with an optical output. It first entered the global market in 2016, user reviews of the card are mostly positive.

Advantages:

• high technical characteristics
• sound card with a large headroom
• user-friendly software Strix SONIC STUDI
• built-in amplifier
• many customization options for games
• original design

Flaws:

• you cannot change the backlight settings or turn it off altogether.
• there is no connector for connecting outputs to the front panel of the case
• high price segment

Creative Sound Blaster

The best sound card according to user reviews in its price segment. First of all, it attracts the fact that the ratio of price and quality here is not at all overstated, but most likely the opposite. The maximum stereo frequency is 192 kHz, and the DAC is 24-bit, while it has support for ASIO v 2.0, EAX v. 5.0 and a connector for connecting to the front panel of the PC, which, by the way, not every model boasts. The card can rightfully be considered semi-professional, because the sound "at the output" is clean, without interference and noise. The crispness and clarity of sound is clearly felt. But if you just want to listen to music and watch movies, you will be pleasantly surprised by the price. this is the best price-functionality ratio.

Advantages:

• the best internal sound card in terms of price, quality and functionality
• no comparison with built-in maps
• very easy to set up and balance
• headphone amplifier provided
• ergonomic appearance

Flaws:

• needs very fine tuning when working with games, each game has its own parameters

ASUS Xonar U7

The very popular external sound card Xonar U7O from ASUS is very convenient for fans of various video games, easy to configure and further update drivers. On the market, this option lasts no less than 6 years, and there were still no complaints from users about the quality of the product. The price of the card matches the quality, and the quality is really high. The manufacturer has spared no effort and money to develop such a simple and versatile sound card. Fans of LIVE recordings and home musicians will like this card very much, which, apart from its quality, does not stand out from a number of similar ones. Has support for ASIO v. 2.0, but is no longer supported by EAX.

Advantages:

• convenient control and configuration
• 7.1 channel surround sound
• good choice among cheap external sound cards
• sound matches the cost
• number of outputs
• compact dimensions
• Supports Dolby® Home Theater V4

Flaws:

• including cost not found

M-Audio M-Track 2 × 2

Detailed sound, great bass, gloss and just a computer sound card with the best signal-to-noise ratio. These are exactly the qualities that this device possesses. The audio board turned out to be very successful and there is practically nothing bad to say about it, except, perhaps, the short wires supplied in the kit. There are separate volume controls for speakers and headphones, it is easy to adjust the sound even in the dark, the controls are so large that it is simply unrealistic to miss. ASIO v. 2.0 and equipping with phantom power (if you use the card for professional purposes, you will need very careful settings with this function)

Advantages:

• no background noise
• perfect for home musicians
• professional external card
• great sound

Flaws:

• very short wires supplied
• flimsy connector quality

The sound card is practically no different from its third-party counterparts. And everything would be fine, only two factors perfectly replaced each other in their positions. Overpriced and understated DAC frequency at 96 kHz. But do not immediately discard the card from your accounts. For something we overpay? And the price is overpriced due to such positive aspects as fast switching on, automatic setting, which is practically on a par with manual setting. The sound card is suitable for both home musicians and video game lovers. The low level of the DAC does not matter at all in the sense that if you are a beginner musician, then it is this external sound card that is connected via the USB connector that will teach you how to properly tune the audio system to the desired frequencies. If you are not satisfied with the automatic configuration, you can easily reconfigure the system for yourself, in this regard the card is very flexible.

Advantages:

• separate adjustment of headphones and speakers
• the amplifier in this model is not easy for beauty, but for business
• reliability in work
• quick turn on
• ASIO support
• stylish appearance

Flaws:

• some devices may have problems installing drivers
• sometimes it may be necessary to reboot the entire system for correct automatic changes to the settings

Steinberg UR22

The rating closes with one of the best sound cards that produces clean, detailed and smoothly adjustable sound. Has support for working with iPad and other peripherals from Apple. Does not require any additional purchases in the form of wires or adapters, everything you need is in stock. The list of advantages can be continued for a long time, but in short, the external sound card is simply ideal in its price segment. Perfect for budget assemblies, but in a professional assembly it will not be a weak link. Has a DAC frequency of 24 bit / 192 kHz, support for ASIO v. 2.0, plus 1 MIDI connector. Monitoring the operation of the card is displayed on the screen smoothly and not abruptly when the button is pressed, which does not suit everyone, because sometimes the process is delayed.

Advantages:

• great option for high-quality sound processing
• very compact but at the same time has weight and stands stably in place
• the most functional in the rating
• clear and detailed sound
• no noise
• availability of a wide variety of inputs-outputs
• strength and build quality

Flaws:

• drivers will have to be selected, tk. their assemblies for different purposes
• has serious weight
• crackling sound is possible when working in Cubase on two XLR and MIDI tracks at once

Which sound card should you choose?

Choosing the best sound card for your computer depends entirely on your goals. Do you love making music - creating something new? You definitely need a variant with ASIO support, and if you want to connect additional instruments, then look for cards with Hi-Z inputs. Fans of multi-channel sound in games will need support for the EAX card (even though the technology is gradually becoming obsolete). Do you need to connect the card to an external receiver or DSP? Then choose a device with S / PDIF outputs. Often, this is not the most critical task when assembling a PC, but if you are ready to pay a large sum for the opportunity to enjoy high-quality sound or easy connection of additional peripherals, then you should not buy the first card you come across, but take a little time and study your chosen model in more detail.

To sing in karaoke with friends, record a track of your musical group or enjoy a live concert of your favorite singer, you do not have to visit specialized places and pay a lot of money. With a sufficiently powerful computer at home, you can create an entry-level professional audio studio using a conventional USB or PCI sound card. The high-quality workmanship of the board with the use of precious metals provides a high level of output signal and ample opportunities for recording vocals.

For various purposes, you can choose the optimal functionality or give preference to the All inclusive device. There are also built-in and portable models, the choice of which is very large.

We've compiled a list of the best sound cards based on expert opinions and feedback from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make the best choice for your requirements and desires. There are many competitors on the world market for equipment, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend that you pay special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

1. Creative
2. BEHRINGER

1. Creative

Dear / Premium

1. Steinberg
2. Creative

For Music For Computer Budgetary Internal External For Gaming Hi-Fi

* Prices are valid at the time of publication and are subject to change without prior notice.

Sound cards: For music

Internal / For computer / Hi-Fi / For games / For music

Main advantages

• Professional audio card for creating your own recording studio. Based on the Creative E-MU chip
• Ability to connect multi-channel speakers 5.1 or 7.1
• Two microphone inputs with simultaneous recording at 24-bit 96 kHz. Support for EAX 4.0 and ASIO 2.0 technologies
• Dedicated line-in for connecting power musical instruments
• Proprietary software with a wide range of capabilities: applying effects when recording vocals in real time, adjusting the headphones and digital output, adjusting the sound with an equalizer, changing the environment, creating your own presets and much more
• Karaoke player for vocal lovers, compatible with Smart Recorder and WaveStudio applications for recording and creating full-fledged tracks

Internal / Computer / Music

Main advantages

• Gaming grade model based on C-Media 6632AX chip with 384 kHz sampling rate
• 8-channel DAC with support for 24-bit 192 kHz recording and ASIO 2.0
• HyperGroun PCB technology eliminates interference and pickup
• Separate external control unit for quick adjustment of microphone and headphone sound parameters, as well as enabling RAID mode
• Separate DACs and ADCs have a dynamic range of 120 dB, which means high detail of all reproduced sound effects
• Supports studio headphones up to 600 ohms and multichannel speakers
• Convenient adjustment of sound schemes using STRIX SONIC STUDIO proprietary software

Show all products in the category "For music"

Sound Cards: Budget

External / Computer / Budget

Main advantages

• External sound card that can be connected to any device using a standard USB cable. No additional power supply required
• Built-in DAC allows 16-bit streaming at up to 48 kHz
• ASIO protocol support provides the user with an interface to access the input and output signal settings, and also eliminates possible delays during real-time recording
• Thanks to the S / PDIF connector, you can connect external digital devices (home theaters, receivers, amplifiers) to turn stereo into 5.1 surround sound
• Simultaneous connection of acoustics and headphones with the possibility of software shutdown and adjustment

Internal / Computer / Budget

Main advantages

• A complete audio system with SBX Pro Studio technology for 5.1 surround sound. Three output connectors are provided for connection
• Dedicated front soundbar connector on PC case
• Headphone channel output has its own power amplifier IC
• Detailed adjustment of all sound parameters using proprietary software. A separate utility allows you to quickly change the volume, adjust the equalizer
• The ability to amplify the power of the microphone offers a karaoke practice at home. Real-time voice change effects available

Budget / External / For computer / For music

Main advantages

• The sound card is equipped with all connectors that ensure compatibility with sound recording and concert devices - microphones, mixers, musical instruments
• High quality digital-to-analog converter for processed sound does not need software correction
• XENYX input preamplifier allows for particularly clear and clear sound from the microphone
• Dual-channel USB bus ensures full matching of analog and digital channels
• The device is compatible with all popular audio processing software. In addition, 150 plugins, effects and instruments are available on the Behringer website for free use.

Show all products in the category "Budget"

Sound Cards: External

Hi-Fi / External / For computer / For music

Main advantages

• The presence of a DAC (Cirrus Logic CS4398) and ADC (Cirrus Logic CS5361) provides for the connection of any devices (smartphone, PC, tablet) with a tax or digital module
• Compact and self-contained sound card with its own 3200 mAh battery and the ability to charge other devices via the micro-USB connector. Working time reaches 8 hours
• Synchronization with external devices via Bluetooth 4.1. MultiPoint technology allows you to connect multiple gadgets at the same time. Additionally, an NFC module is provided that provides communication at a distance of 10 meters
• Separate controls on the body allow you to start and stop tracks, answer incoming calls, switch headphone gain
• Use as an external audio card for a PC via a standard USB connector
• Additional software allows you to adjust all the output characteristics of the sound (crystallization, bass, vocal enhancement, equalizer)

Hi-Fi / External / For games / For computer / For music

Main advantages

• The powerful Burr-Brown PCM1794 D / A converter can reproduce stunning 24-bit / 192 kHz sound quality
• Support for parallel processing of 32 audio streams using the EMU32 bus allows you to simultaneously use multiple inputs and outputs of the device
• SBX Pro Studio technology provides surround sound and no distortion in low frequencies when listening with headphones
• Thanks to the implementation of the aptX Low Latency and AAC decoders, there is no loss in the quality of music when transmitting sound via Bluetooth, and there is an accurate synchronization of the picture with sound in films and games
• Supports CrystalVoice technology for clear, clear voice for gaming, video conferencing and chat. Built-in stereo microphone provided

If the sound path of the motherboard of your computer or laptop is built on high-quality components, it makes no sense to purchase a discrete card of a budget or even an average level. It will be almost impossible to feel the difference. In the same way as in the case of sound output to inexpensive speakers or headphones. There is an opinion that the cost of the used acoustics should be several times higher than the price of a sound card - then the set will be balanced.

So, you have decided to abandon the built-in sound card. Then we will immediately decide on the options:

• Inexpensive embedded cards- a choice for the undemanding ear, if the sound of the "embedded" is already completely obscene, or you want to connect multichannel acoustics to the motherboard, which has only a stereo output. Although taking into account the fact that now even budget systems allow you to connect at least 5.1 acoustics, such a need may be needed only on a computer, which it is high time to upgrade itself. The same can be said about cheap external sound cards- they remain the only option for laptops, but they are also interesting for PCs because they “collect” less noise on the analog path.
• Do you like music not only to listen, but also to create? Regardless of genre preferences, a sound card is required with the supportASIO, and then we are already looking at our equipment - for power tools you will need high resistance (Hi-Z) input, studio condenser microphones need phantom power. If you work exclusively with VSTi, you just need to have ASIO on board.
• Want to connect your computer to an external DSP or AV receiver? Then choose cards with an exitS /PDIF- coaxial or optics, depending on how the input is implemented on the connected device.
• Interesting multichannel audio in games? In this case, support by the EAX card will still be relevant, although it can already be considered leaving the scene (the last edition of the standard was released in 2005). At the same time, it would be more logical to choose from cards produced by Creative - whatever one may say, this is the company that created EAX.

There are also a number of nuances that need to be taken into account. For example, it is not the first year that Creative has been famous for its disgusting support - the same Audigy of the old series already on Windows 8 can work with problems due to the long-not-updated and initially raw drivers. Any card, both external and built-in, can work incorrectly due to software and hardware conflicts: for example, a loaded USB hub or motherboard bridge can lead to stuttering even with ASIO cards, especially if the driver is set to the maximum frequency sampling (and, accordingly, for the maximum amount of data transfer). So it is not always necessary to immediately blame the manufacturer for all mortal sins - you should also deal with your computer (not to mention the anecdotal cases when they forget to disable the built-in card in the BIOS).