Top budget sound cards. The best sound card for gaming. ASUS Strix Soar, Creative Sound Blaster Z, ASUS Xonar DX. Inexpensive sound chips for gamers
To sing karaoke with friends, record a track of your musical group or enjoy a "live" concert of your favorite singer, it is not necessary to visit specialized places and pay a lot of money. If you have a powerful enough computer at home, you can create an entry-level professional audio studio using a regular sound system. USB cards or PCI. High-quality manufacture of the board using precious metals provides a high level of output signal and wide 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 have compiled a list of the best sound cards based on expert reviews and real customer reviews. Our recommendations will help you make a choice, optimal requirements and wishes. There are many competitors on the global equipment market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:
Budget / Inexpensive
- Creative
- BEHRINGER
- Creative
Expensive/Premium
- Steinberg
- Creative
* Prices are valid at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
Sound cards: For music
Internal / Computer / Hi-Fi / Game / Music
Main advantages
- Professional audio card for creating your own recording studio. Based on the Creative E-MU chip
- Ability to connect multi-channel acoustics 5.1 or 7.1
- Two microphone inputs with the ability to simultaneously record in 24-bit 96 kHz quality. Support for EAX 4.0 and ASIO 2.0 technologies
- Separate line input for connecting musical electric instruments
- Proprietary software with a wide range of features: real-time effects for vocal recording, headphone and digital output settings, sound equalization, 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 tracks
Internal / For computer / For music
Main advantages
- Gamer level model based on C-Media 6632AX chip with 384kHz sampling rate
- 8-channel DAC supporting 24bit 192kHz recording and ASIO 2.0
- HyperGroun PCB technology eliminates interference and interference
- Separate external control unit for quick adjustment of microphone and headphone sound parameters, as well as the inclusion of RAID mode
- Separate DACs and ADCs have a dynamic range of 120 dB, which indicates a high level of detail in all reproduced sound effects
- Support for studio headphones up to 600 ohms and multi-channel speakers
- Convenient adjustment of sound schemes using proprietary software STRIX SONIC STUDIO
Show all products in category "For music"
Sound cards: Budget
External / For computer / Budget
Main advantages
- External sound card with the ability to connect to any device using a standard USB cable. No additional power required
- Built-in DAC allows playback of 16-bit stream at a frequency of up to 48 kHz
- Support for ASIO protocol provides the user with an interface to access the input and output signal settings, and 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. There are three outlets for connection.
- Separate connector for connecting the front soundbar on the PC case
- The headphone channel output has its own power amplification chip
- 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 to practice karaoke 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
- Thanks to the digital-to-analogue converter High Quality processed sound does not need software correction
- XENYX input pre-amplifier for exceptionally clean and clear microphone sound
- Dual-channel USB guarantees full matching of analog and digital channels
- The device is compatible with all popular sound processing programs. In addition, 150 plugins, effects and instruments are available on the Behringer website for free use.
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Sound cards: External
Hi-Fi / External / For computer / For music
Main advantages
- The presence of a DAC (Cirrus Logic CS4398) and an 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 a micro-USB connector. Working time up to 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 for communication at a distance of 10 meters
- Separate controls on the case allow you to start and stop tracks, answer incoming calls, switch headphone gain
- Use as an external PC audio card via a standard USB connector
- Additional software allows you to adjust all the output characteristics of the sound (crystallization, bass, vocal boost, equalizer)
Hi-Fi / External / For games / For computer / For music
Main advantages
- Featuring a powerful Burr-Brown PCM1794 D/A converter, the device delivers stunning 24-bit/192kHz audio
- Support for parallel processing of 32 audio data streams using the EMU32 bus allows you to simultaneously use multiple inputs and outputs of the device
- SBX Pro Studio technology delivers surround sound with no bass distortion when listening with headphones
- Thanks to the implementation of aptX Low Latency and AAC decoders, when transmitting sound via Bluetooth, there is no loss in music quality and there is an accurate synchronization of the picture with the sound in movies and games
- Support for CrystalVoice technology provides clear and clear voice in games, video conferencing and chats. Built-in stereo microphone included
Especially for those who prefer to use a powerful stationary PC as a source, this Top-7 has been prepared. Indeed, to achieve excellent sound quality, it is not at all necessary to buy an external DAC and spend money on interconnect cables. Not to mention saving space. Discrete sound cards can help us with this.
Alas, the stagnation of the PC market and the massive transition to laptops have done their job. High-quality discrete sound cards have become an endangered species. The once huge range of solutions is gradually fading away. Leaving us little choice. Apparently, in a couple of years, we all will definitely need an external DAC. But until this happens, let's look at the solutions still on the market.
According to the good tradition of our rebounds, to begin with, we will determine simple rules its construction. This time they will really be very simple. In fact, our Top includes only cards with PCI-Express interface, which can be used without any reservations primarily for listening to lossless music. If, at the same time, the card also allows home recording, well, well! All the better. Go!
7th place
Despite its professional roots and focus on Home Recording, the E-MU is quite capable of delivering tolerable sound quality. Up to 24/192. Of course, it cannot be compared with the top three. But you simply cannot want more from a $100 card! Yes, E-MU is cheaper than MAYA44 XTe in 5th place. In my opinion, despite all the curvature of the drivers typical for Creative, the card is a more justified purchase. And it gives incommensurably more opportunities. Don't expect miracles from her. But the zvukovuha-“veteran” definitely deserved its fourth place. And we move on to the top three.
3rd place
1st place
I'm sure you've already guessed who you'll see here. This product simply has no alternatives today. Yes it Asus Xonar Essence STX/STX II. Essentially identical solutions, differing only in that STX II provides multi-channel support. Is it necessary in practice? In my opinion, no. Because STX today is a more justified acquisition from a financial point of view.
The same legendary possibility of replacing opamps without a soldering iron. Excellent elemental base and well-designed power supply. And all this is crowned with a built-in amplifier that can drive even 600 Ω headphones. There is simply no one to compete with STX in the audiophile segment at the moment.
The frequency response of the card in 24/192 mode cannot be called otherwise than ideal. The dynamic range also has the most even structure without significant rises in the low-frequency section, as was the case with X-Fi. THD in the "older" modes is located at around -150 dB. What guarantees the practical absence of audible distortion in the music. Such indicators are extremely difficult to beat. And the price tag at the same level of $230 for the first version makes the choice between STX and X-Fi obvious. Well deserved first place.
That's all for today. Next time we will talk about shelf acoustics. See you later! :)
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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 and 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 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 let's immediately decide on the options:
- Inexpensive Embedded Cards- the choice for an undemanding ear, if the sound of the "built-in" is completely obscene, or you want to connect multi-channel acoustics to a motherboard that has only a stereo output. Although, taking into account the fact that now even budgets allow you to connect at least 5.1 acoustics, such a need may be needed only on a computer that itself should have been upgraded for a long time. 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 interference on the analog path.
- Do you like music not only to listen, but also to create? Regardless of genre preferences, you will need a sound card with the supportASIO, and then we already look 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, then you just need to have ASIO “on board”.
- Want to connect your computer to an external DSP or AV receiver? Then choose cards with exitS/PDF- coaxial or optical, depending on how the input is implemented on the connected device.
- interesting multi-channel sound in games? In this case, EAX support by the card will still be relevant, although it can already be considered leaving the stage (the last edition of the standard was released in 2005). At the same time, it would be more logical to choose from cards manufactured by Creative - whatever one may say, it was this company that created EAX.
There are also a number of nuances that need to be taken into account. For example, for several years now 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 drivers that have not been updated for a long time and are initially raw. Any card, both external and built-in, may not work correctly due to software and hardware conflicts: for example, a loaded USB hub or motherboard bridge can lead to stuttering even with ASIO-enabled cards, especially if the driver is set to the maximum frequency. sampling (and, accordingly, the maximum amount of data transfer). So, it is far from always necessary to immediately blame the manufacturer for all mortal sins - you should also deal with your computer (not to mention anecdotal cases when you forget to disable the built-in card in the BIOS).
Every modern computer is equipped with a built-in audio chip to reproduce the sound quality, as if you wanted to buy a music center. By 2017, motherboard manufacturers have achieved decent results for listening to music and watching movies with minimal distortion and noise.
But why then does the question of buying a discrete sound card arise?
Why do you need a sound card?
Built-in sound quality is suitable for most purposes, but not for:
games where correct stereo panorama and multi-channel positioning are important;
home theater without "smeared" bass and stuttering in the rear speakers;
Hi-Fi acoustics, with which the audio source must be from components of the equivalent category.
Integrated sound cards are inferior to discrete ones in terms of equipment, signal-to-noise level at the output and frequency range. They lack the technology of "rendering" volumetric scenes, competent decomposition of the panoramic spectrum, and many other functions.
The best sound card for gaming
Atmosphere and immersion come first. Remember Fallout 4 and the monstrous death claws, this terrible stomping and screaming with reckless echoes around the Commonwealth district ... They can bring goosebumps to the skin only on a well-built audio system.
ASUS STRIX DLX (SRIX RAID DLX)
ASUS Strix DLX gaming sound card (less expensive models - Strix PRO and Strix SOAR) frees the processor from processing at the expense of its own computing facilities and provides mind-blowing settings at the driver level. It can even render sources in an overlay! Crystal-clear sound is provided by noise-immune hardware components.
Pros of the Audio Strix DLX sound card:
124 dB (instead of 90 dB for built-in sound cards);
Top audio processor CM6632AX (384kHz/24bit), DAC ESS ES9016 and ADC CS5381;
External volume control with additional interfaces;
Sonic Studio fine tuning software package.
Price ASUS Strix Raid DLX near 16000 rubles.
The best sound card for home theater
It is difficult to find the right sound source to play the latest Dolby Atmos or DTS:X movie audio tracks. Both technologies in the case of HTPC (PC-based home theater) are designed to transmit an audio-video signal from a video card with an HDMI connector via a cable to an AV receiver and then to a TV.
It turns out that the sound card in the HTPC assembly becomes an unnecessary component? No matter how.
ASUS XONAR D2/PM
It is designed to complement the home theater system and feed the already tuned sound to the receiver. It is characterized by sound isolated from external interference with support for additional frequency settings. The D2 / PM model features 3D scenes within licensed Dolby Home Theater, Dolby Digital Live, DTS Connect and other systems that decide how to connect a home theater to a sound card.
Advantages of the Audio Xonar D2/PM sound card:
Up to 118 dB output;
Dolby and DTS technologies that work not only in films, but also in games, music, sound recording;
ASUS AV200 Audio Processor (192kHz/24bit);
Anti-interference analog output to 7.1-channel receiver;
Multi-channel audio presetting capabilities.
Price ASUS Xonar D2/PM is 11290 rubles.
The best sound card for Hi-Fi audio
When it comes to the "tube" or "warm" sound of music on the computer, so that every voice note of your favorite artist is revealed on expensive Hi-Fi acoustics, then in 2017 we are again forced to turn to ASUS.
ASUS Essence
As a rule, audiophiles use exclusively stereo systems or high-impedance headphones to play music in FLAC or 24-bit digitized records. In this sense, ASUS has achieved epoch-making quality with a high signal-to-noise ratio and a built-in amplifier. However, it has the ability to exemplify the output of multi-channel tracks in movies.
Advantages of the ASUS Essence sound card:
Up to 124 dB output;
Headphone amplifier with impedance up to 600 ohms;
ASUS AV100 Audio Processor (192kHz/24bit); DAC Burr-Brown PCM 1792A;
Weight advanced settings for stereo sound;
Noise-immune analog two-channel and separate multi-channel paths;
The op amps are right in the sockets and can be replaced.
ASUS Essence STX price tentatively 23000 rubles.
