To sing karaoke with friends, record a track with 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. Having a powerful enough computer at home, you can create a professional audio studio entry level using a conventional USB or PCI sound card. High-quality manufacturing of the board using precious metals ensures high level 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 have 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

Creative
BEHRINGER

Creative
Focusrite

Dear / Premium

Steinberg

Internal card External Card For HiFi Gamers

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

Sound Cards: Internal Card

* from user reviews

Minimum price:

Main advantages

Positioned as a compact recording studio. Has two microphone inputs with separate proprietary preamps for each channel. 24-bit recording up to 96 kHz
Rotary controls for changing the gain level with LED indication
Headphone out with volume control provided
Support for recording the sound of musical instruments. Neutrik XLR / TRS 1/4 "hybrid input channels are implemented for connection.
Plug & Play USB connection to any Windows or MacOS computer
Built-in DAC and ADC for signal inversion
Additional software Ableton Live Lite 8 allows you to enjoy all the possibilities of professional sound recording

External card

Main advantages

External sound card that can be connected to any device using a standard USB cable. No additional power required
Built-in DAC allows reproduction of 16-bit stream 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

HiFi / External Card

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 case 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)

Show all products in the category "External card"

Sound Cards: For Gamers

Internal card/ For gamers

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 acoustic systems
Convenient adjustment of sound schemes using STRIX SONIC STUDIO proprietary software

Internal card/ For gamers

Levchuk Alexander Nikolaevich

An integrated sound card is good. But what if you need a sound card for a higher quality stereo system or 5.1 home theater. You have decided to establish high-quality sound on your computer and now you need to choose sound card? Or maybe you bought your computer a few years ago and you want the best sound for music and games. Before you buy 6 speakers for cinema surround sound, read our article on how to choose a sound card for movies and music. We will help you choose the right sound card for the high quality sound of your sound system so that you enjoy this amazing sound. I hope some of the tips below will help you.

Getting started about the sound card

Instructions on how to choose a sound card

1. Number of channels A: It all depends on how many speakers you have and whether you want a stereo 2.0 or a 5.1 home theater system. The most common sound cards are 7.1-channel cards, however, they allow you to listen to stereo (turning off unnecessary channels) or connect a standard 5.1 sound.

2. Sampling frequency A: The most common is 96 kHz, although there are some sound cards above and below. The higher the sampling rate, the better the sound quality.

3. Ports: These can include Line In, Line Out, SPDIF In, SPDIF Out, Mic In, MIDI / Joystick combo. If you need exactly these ports, then there are sound ones that have them.

4. SNR: This is the signal-to-noise ratio. A sound card usually has a range of 86 dB to 100 dB, however, there are sound cards with a maximum reduction in the range of 103 dB and 110 dB. The higher the better.

5. Bit depth: Most sound cards are already 24-bit, although there are 16-bit ones. There are 32 bits already on sale. The higher the bit depth, the better.

6. Interface: Some cards are connected via the good old PCI, although sound cards are already mainly produced that connect via PCI Express. There are also external cards with support. Make sure you buy a sound card from your computer.

Why do you need a high quality sound card?

For most people, the built-in sound on their computer will suffice. This provides adequate audio processing for listening to music, internet audio, video, and movies. However, there are people out there who want to create high quality sound on. While creating final product for Working with a computer, you can have a 19-inch or larger monitor, a large-capacity hard drive, and a multi-core processor. Such a computer includes. The reason we buy a sound card is to create high-end stereo or home theater sound.

Many new speakers are compatible with DolbyDigital, SRS, or other surround technology. Integrated sound cards typically do not provide the required processing power and technology to run the best quality speakers at the best possible performance. it main reason why do we buy a sound card to get best quality sound. To achieve clarity, clarity, etc.

Sound card, what is it?

What is a sound card? A conventional sound card is a plug-in in an optional schematic card for a compatible IBM computer that may include audio input and output for controlling computer programs.

Now, we know that there is a difference between the sound of the sound ones.

Low-End or budget sound cards

There are many options for budget sound cards on the market today, and they all have one general model
build. The differences in most of these sound cards are the number of ports and how they handle sound.

This type of sound cards will be considered the lowest due to the used budget components. However, they do have an input port for audio from external devices, a front (front) and rear (rear) speaker port, a microphone port, and a Game / MIDI port. This type of card is intended for entry-level users. This gives you the audio inputs and outputs you need, and basic functions such as low-cost music listening, VoIP and gaming.

Mid-range sound cards

If you want a sound card that gives you better sound in movies, music, games and additional functions then look for high resolution cards in audio playback mode. These types of cards will have features like:

64 audio channel playbacks with independent sampling rates

24-bit digital-to-analog conversion during

24-bit A / D conversion while recording

32-bit digital-to-analog conversion during playback

Sony / Philips SupportDigitalInterface ( SPDIF)

The mid-range sound card will have line out for 7.1 front / side / rear / center speakers in addition to LineIn and MicIn. Many mid-range sound cards also come with optional audio playback and recording software.

High-End Sound Cards

If you want to have a high-quality sound card in the end and would like to be able to connect several types of sound devices, then you need to buy a sound card with an expensive set of components: DAC, op-amp, etc. There are sound cards that allow you to connect audio devices, for example,
keyboards or electric guitar.

I hope this explanation on "How to choose a sound card for your computer" helped a little.
Please leave comments below so I can get back to you.
Do not be afraid of me and add to

The world of modern computer technology is developing at the speed of light, this has affected absolutely all areas of this progressive industry. And sound is one of these areas, without which the picture of computer harmony looks completely incomplete. And to provide high-quality sound is entrusted to such an important component of a computer as a sound card. Sound cards can be divided into two types: Internal and external, each type of card has its own advantages, and disadvantages that should be definitely mentioned. And now about everything in order ...

Internal sound cards

Such cards are already built into system units and laptops. And they are intended for ordinary use, without any frills. In fact, such cards are considered a budget option. They are universally suitable for watching a movie, listening to music or playing a game. Such a sound card will provide a standard range of reproducible sounds in stereo.

The internal card is usually inserted into the system unit through the PCI slot. It is invisible, many even have little idea of how it looks, since it is hidden in the case of the system unit and neither itself nor the wires are visible. When is such a sound card suitable for you?

If you are not picky about the sound quality, do not play games where the surround sound technique is applied, do not watch a movie in surround sound format Dolby surround and you are a regular user who is satisfied with the standard sound quality without any special sound effects.

External sound cards

But this "device" is a completely separate conversation. It is a completely separate device and does not fit under the PC cover in any way. As a rule, such sound cards are relatively small, which does not save on space. In addition, these sound cards have a very stylish and at the same time not flashy or unnerving design. Distinctive feature external sound cards are served by an abundance of outputs, basically there are eight of them. Which allows us to conclude about the possibilities in comparison with the internal map.

An external sound card is thus a treasured key to the door called 5.1 surround sound. It is with its help that the sound on your laptop or computer will sound much more spacious. The functional part of the external sound card is more than varied and each of the outputs on it plays its own strictly assigned role. The most important connector is used to connect to a PC, output to the front speakers, output to the rear speakers, to the center speaker, as well as a microphone, headphones, line-in, as well as other connectors that may also come in handy over time.

So, what does the external sound card give us in the end, in what way does it outperform the internal one, and vice versa. An external sound card will allow you to watch movies with surround sound, thanks to DTS (Digital surround and Dolby Digital) technology with the effect of presence, that is, explosions behind your back, screams of the dead from the left, then from the right, and so on. Also, almost all advanced gamers use external sound cards due to the standard called EAX advanced HD.

Which allows you to get realistic, surround sound in modern, cool toys. And the presence of a digital output will always ensure great quality sound without any distortion. Key factor the price of such a card serves, and it is an order of magnitude higher than the usual internal one. It is ideal for gamers, audiophiles or moviegoers looking for impressive sound effects and high-quality surround sound.

Output

The market is full of all kinds of sound cards and choosing the right sound card is not difficult. Which card to choose depends specifically on the person and his expectations. If the user is not pretentious and is accustomed to the usual sound from speakers, then a standard internal sound card is ideal for all the purposes for which speakers are usually used. If the user is interested in the most powerful, surround sound, then an external sound card is needed. And you can choose an individually necessary card thanks to numerous reviews on the Internet or in a computer supermarket, after consulting a specialist.

Sound card- one of the components of a personal computer, which is responsible for sound reproduction. Standard cards are integrated into the computer motherboard. High quality such cards do not stand out. Therefore, if you set out to update or replace this device in the event of a breakdown, you need to familiarize yourself with its main characteristics.

The task of any sound card is to convert digital signal in the original analog signal... The main manufacturers of these devices are Creative and.

Creative offers a wide selection of sound cards, so a buyer can find both an inexpensive model and a card that will cost a lot of money. The main thing when choosing a card is a clear understanding of what you want to get from it. However, the most popular are sound cards. This manufacturer draws attention to its products with the best price / quality ratio.

Main characteristics of sound cards

Form Factor ... Sound cards, in terms of performance, are built-in and external. The form factor of the card does not affect the sound quality. Follow your own preferences here.
Signal to noise ratio. This parameter displays the signal-to-noise power ratio at the input / output of the device. The higher the specified parameter, the better (the noise superimposed on the sound is reduced). 85 decibels is already a good indicator, and a ratio of 100 decibels gives almost perfect sound.
Nonlinear distortion factor. This parameter shows the coefficient of permissible distortion when converting a digital signal to analog form. The lower this indicator, all the better. Ideally, when this ratio does not exceed 0.01%.
Maximum sampling rate for audio recording and playback. When playing standard MP-3 files, this may be 44.1 kHz, but when playing DVD audio files, this setting should be 192 kHz.
Digit capacity of converters. Components of any sound card are ADC and DAC (analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog converters), which are responsible for signal conversion. The bit depth of these converters is measured in bits and shows the number of signal levels with which they can work. Most audio cards are equipped with 24-bit converters, which is sufficient. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay attention to this parameter when choosing a sound card.
Number of channels. Stereo sound is supported by all sound cards. However, to connect multichannel, you must select an audio card with support for 5.1 or 7.1.

Popular sound card options

The integrated sound card Asus Xonar DX is one of the most popular models among ordinary users. The card meets everyone modern requirements with the number of channels 7.1. The price of this model is in the range of 60-80 dollars. Year of issue of the card - 2008.

The Creative Sound Blaster USB X-FI Surround 5.1 Pro SBX is a 2010 external sound card. USB interface is used to connect it to personal computer or laptop. It is equipped. The volume control is conveniently located on the top panel of the card. SBX Pro Studio technology is a series of audio enhancements for movies and games. The price of such an audio card is 80-100 dollars.

A cool portable player or a decent USB DAC can decode efficiently and - in the case of headphones - amplify the signal. But what can you do if you can't carve out even 25,000 rubles for such a device? A good sound card for a computer will help out.

Our advice to beginner music lovers: do not pay attention to prim audiophiles who claim that it is cheaper than a certain dollar amount with big amount zeros do not buy normal sound. It all depends on the degree of sophistication of the music lover and his consumer priorities. If you just want to listen to music, then the sound card installed in the bowels of your computer will give you a lot of pleasure, providing sound quality unattainable for a smartphone or music center. And the more serious models compete on equal terms with the block equipment of the Hi-Fi class. True, there are not so many truly "musical" products, and their manufacturers can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But there is still a choice!

These scary leads

Why, despite the use of high-quality electronic components, built-in (internal) sound cards sound worse than external models or portable players with electronics of the same class? The main reason is that power for such adapters comes from the computer's motherboard, which a priori is not very "clean". This does not interfere with the normal operation of the PC, but it does affect the sound quality. Sometimes sound card manufacturers install power conditioning circuits that completely eliminate the obvious noise, such as crackling or clicks, but, of course, they do not provide an ideal power supply: the sound can seem "dirty", although not everyone can explain the reason for this impression. The second aspect is the pickups that the card catches from nearby computer components - disk drives, processor, chipset, video card, etc. screen. If all measures to minimize the negative impact environment are effective, such a sound card is inferior in sound quality to an external and portable device on a similar element base is very insignificant, while its price is 2-4 times lower due to the absence of a case with analog regulators and a separate power supply unit. In addition, the image status of internal sound cards is lower, which is also reflected in the price. Should you rejoice at such savings? Depends on the fitness of the ear for music, as well as on the speakers and headphones used. But if until now you have never used anything other than a smartphone and an audio codec built into your computer, and your favorite headphones are neither studio monitor nor household headphones. High level End, then even the sound card is average price category will prove to be a significant step forward.

What to look for?

To get started, you need the quietest computer, the motherboard of which has a free slot of the required format (PCI or PCI Express, depending on the model of the selected card). You will also need good and, of course, high-quality recordings. If we are talking about the old and not at all good MP3 format, then the bitrate of the stream should be at least 320 kbps, although it is better to keep in your collection only uncompressed records or using lossless compression formats such as FLAC or APE. Further, it all depends on the way of listening: in headphones or through speakers. In the first case, the card must have a built-in headphone amplifier, preferably a powerful one. As for the headphones themselves, it could be a model open type(such designs radiate outward abundantly, but form a cleaner and more accurate bass for the listener). allow you to isolate yourself from the surrounding noise, as well as listen to music loudly even at night in a room with sleeping people. For music lovers who prefer, almost any discrete card is suitable, even an inexpensive one, since they all have a standard 3.5 mm output and an excessive audio path - enough for any multimedia acoustics. But if studio monitors are used as home speakers, then it is better to look for a sound card with a balanced output (only one model is equipped with it in our article). ASIO protocol support will allow audio output bypassing funds operating system, so this compatibility is a definite plus.

The prices indicated in the article are indicative, indicated as of the end of March 2016

5th PLACE - ESI [email protected]

Price - 9500 rubles