You don’t need to buy a new computer if you want to improve the sound on your laptop or desktop; all you need is an external sound card. External sound cards, which come with a wide range of features and capabilities, are a convenient and portable option to improve the sound quality of your computer, especially if it is an entry-level or midrange model.
Additionally, they make a variety of audio input and output connectors easily accessible to users so that you may connect a microphone, a gaming headset, or extra speakers. Even better, you could utilize an external sound card to record music or podcasts, connect a home theater sound system, or both.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT
It’s simple to set up USB sound cards, and as the name implies, they connect to your computer via a USB port. You might need to download and install software drivers that ordinarily come with the device before you can start using a PC. The setup process on a Mac is frequently more simpler; users typically only need to connect the device and choose it as an audio source from the Mac’s sound preferences.
Make sure the external sound card you select can support the highest bit depth you stream if you’re streaming high-resolution audio from apps like TIDAL or Apple Music. CD grade audio at 44.1 kHz and 16 bits is the norm for hi-fi. The resolutions of Apple Music streams range from 16 bit / 44.1 kHz to 24 bit / 192 kHz, while TIDAL streams are typically 96 kHz / 24 bit.
If you’ve spent money on a nice pair of headphones, an external sound card will enable you to get the most out of them while expanding your port section. As a result, they are undoubtedly worthwhile to include in your setup. Here are the top 11 external sound cards to take into consideration, selected to fit a variety of budgets.
1 external sound card model GSX 1000 PRO
The GSX 1000 PRO is the best sound card if you want 7.1 virtual surround sound, an intuitive user interface, and a sleek appearance that won’t take up much space on your battle station.
The attachment, which was created specifically for gamers wishing to enhance the audio of their preferred games, intensifies the sound to increase players’ spatial awareness and ability to lock on to precise positional audio cues inside their games. The Sennheiser, according to Hardware Canucks reviewer Dmitry Novoselov, “provided the best surround sound experience” he had ever experienced.
You may relax knowing that this gaming audio amplifier includes specific EQ presets for you to quickly balance sound frequencies and enhance audio accuracy if you enjoy fine-tuning EQ settings.
Four personalized EQ profiles are available for saving and switching. You may make one for playing video games alone, playing with a team, listening to music, or viewing movies. While using a gaming headset, you may easily control the level of your voice thanks to this option’s handy game/chat mixing wheel.
The GSX 1200 Pro differs from it mainly in that it comes with a chat link cable that enables it to be connected with several GSX 1200 sound cards for lag-free communication in addition to its higher price. The GSX 1000 Pro is the best option for the majority of players that compete solo (without a team).
2 external Sound Blaster X3 sound cards
The ideal option for improving your music experience at your desk is this high-resolution USB DAC. In addition to supporting 32-bit 196kHz high-resolution audio, it is also the only external USB DAC with Super X-Fi technology, which simulates the sound of a premium multispeaker system in your headphones.
This external sound card is compatible with the majority of contemporary configurations because of its USB-C connector. In addition, it has five 3.5-millimeter ports on the back for a 7.1 speaker system (plus a line-in device), 3.5-millimeter headphone and microphone connections on the front, and an optical output.
You can discover the ideal balance between two audio sources with the help of the Sound Blaster. This is useful when you want to adjust the volume mix between the audio from your video game and the audio from your teammates so you can hear them better. Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PCs, and Macs can all use this audio solution.
Additionally, as it can handle impedances of up to 600 ohms, it is ideal for powering high-end headphones.
3 Creative’s Sound Blaster G3
external sound card is the only choice for mobile gamers who want to enhance the audio quality of their gaming headset.
With this selection, audio quality will be immediately improved, and the game experience will be more immersive. When you’re playing games like Fortnite or PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, it will help you hear distant footsteps. Additionally, its GameVoice feature is useful for balancing the audio of your games and chat conversations on your PlayStation or gaming PC.
The best part is that it may be used without any drivers or software!
4 GSX 300 Audio External USB Sound Card
The GSX 300 is a small external sound card that lets customers choose between stereo or virtual surround sound settings with the push of a button. It supports 24-bit / 96 kHz uncompressed audio and has separate 3.5 millimeter analog headphone and microphone connections.
It lacks certain bells and whistles compared to the GSX 1000 PRO and requires software modifications rather than being made directly on the device, but it’s still a solid external sound card, especially considering how reasonably priced it is. You may still switch between custom EQ presets, and the music will unquestionably sound cleaner and better as a result.
5 External Sound Card Gaming MixAmp Pro
Xbox players frequently suffer from poor audio quality. There aren’t many wireless headsets for the platform, and the original Xbox One didn’t even have a 3.5-millimeter socket for plugging in your gaming headset – but ASTRO is obviously not willing to abandon Xbox owners once more.
This clever audio solution is ideal for gamers who want to enhance voice connection and sound quality in their favorite games. In order to prevent your friends’ voices from being overpowered by your furious game soundtrack, it has Dolby Digital Surround Sound processing and allows you to rapidly modify game and speech balance.
With only a turn of a dial, you may instantly change the volume using the accessory’s several configurable EQ modes. A MixAmp from ASTRO is also available for the PlayStation 4 and 5.
6 external Sound BlasterX G6 sound cards
The Sound BlasterX G6 is one of Creative’s best-selling models and one of the market’s top players in external sound cards. It is a flexible sound card that may give your PC, MP3 player, or gaming console an audio makeover. It supports Hi-Res audio formats and has Dolby Digital decoding and 7.1 virtual surround sound.
This one will assist you in tracking and locating your opponent’s location if you’re wanting to improve in-game audio so that you can hear footsteps and the sounds of switching weapons in your games.
7 External Sound Card: ICUSBAUDIO2D
This inexpensive external sound card will deliver excellent home-theater audio capabilities via a S/PDIF output despite having a fairly uninspired moniker. The device also has a built-in DAC that allows it to produce high-quality audio. A volume knob and a dedicated switch for controlling the bass and treble are additional important elements.
StarTech provides a larger model that enables twin microphones for individuals who have a desktop and don’t require a device this compact.
8 External Sound Card FiiO E10K
The performance of this small USB DAC and headphone amplifier is excellent, especially given its low cost of less than $100. It has a straightforward but elegant design, with only a 3.5 mm headphone out on the front and a coaxial and 3.5 mm line out on the back. Its volume knob has exactly the appropriate amount of resistance and feels sturdy.
Without the need to install any drivers, the gadget will significantly enhance the audio quality and amplify the bass of your computer.
9 external Sound Blaster Omni Sound Card
This gadget includes two microphones for the best voice quality, 5.1-channel capability for surround sound, and useful software for improved controls. The most demanding headphones can be powered by its amplifier (with an impedance of up to 600 ohms).
The Sound Blaster Omni is a great choice if you’re searching for a simple solution to enhance the built-in audio on your computer even though it doesn’t cater to audiophiles.
10 External stereo sound adapter USBs
The Sabrent external sound card is inexpensive and offers a plug-and-play layout. One 3.5-millimeter audio jack is for the microphone, while the other is for the headphones.
As long as you don’t anticipate mind-blowing audio performance, this is an excellent and affordable backup plan in case your computer’s integrated sound card malfunctions.
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