For decades, Sound Blaster has been synonymous with PC audio, and the G6 is the current pinnacle. The virtual 7.1 surround sound, dedicated headphone amplifier, and absolutely superb 32-bit 384kHz DAC are all aimed at gamers, but anyone looking for great audio will enjoy the virtual 7.1 surround sound, dedicated headphone amplifier, and absolutely superb 32-bit 384kHz DAC. As a result, it is more than a match for the highest quality lossless audio files.
5. TechRise USB Sound Card
This device has some interesting features. For starters, it includes three audio interfaces. Microphones, headphones, and speakers can all be used with these interfaces. Second, the TechRise USB Sound Card has two separate buttons for audio and mic mute. You can avoid being listened to over the internet by using this feature. Finally, this product includes a volume control dial, allowing you to easily adjust the volume to achieve the desired sound output. Furthermore, this USB sound adapter is compatible with the following operating systems: Windows, MAC, Linux, and Chrome. To supplement the features already mentioned, here are some of the most important technical specifications for this product: A 3.5mm microphone jack and a USB type A port are included.
6. ASTRO Gaming MixAmp Pro
The Astro MixAmp Pro is more than just an amplifier and DAC. The MixAmp Pro is available in a bundle with the Astro A40 headset or separately. In any case, it’s a great option for those who want more control over their audio experience. The MixAmp Pro’s overall design has been updated from its predecessors. The two knobs have been moved from a vertical to a horizontal position. On the front, there’s a 3.5mm jack and an indicator for PC and PS4 settings. The larger knob controls volume, while the right knob controls the mixer for game audio and voice chat. You have the ability to control how much game audio you hear and how loud your teammates are. A button on the bottom allows you to switch between EQ presets. The top button activates Dolby surround sound or presets.
7. EVGA Nu Audio Card
The EVGA Nu Audio Card is a sound card designed for use with high-end audio equipment. You won’t need this if you use a standard gaming headset or gaming speakers. This card is designed for those who want the ultimate aural experience and have audiophile-grade equipment to go with it. Just keep in mind that this card works best with stereo hi-fi systems. If you’ve got the big guns, this card will deliver. Expect a huge soundstage and crystal-clear audio. A vibrant sound with a wide dynamic range. We have good news for all of you RGB fans out there. The card includes RGB support.
8. HyperX HX-USCCAMSS-BK
If you want to improve your audio, the HyperX Amp USB Sound Card is the best option. You can expect nothing less than perfect results with a custom-tuned virtual 7.1 surround sound that allows for advanced digital signal processing, simple plug-and-play setup, and precise controls to quickly adjust volume. Furthermore, you will benefit from excellent mic noise-cancellation features that will undoubtedly shape your audio to be crystal-clear.
9. Creative Blaster Audigy Fx 5.1 PCIe
If you are very tight on budget but don’t want to spend it on toys, take a look at Creative Blaster Audigy. It was released many many years ago, but that does not matter, it is still present and able to compete with younger “sisters”. For its price range, the specifications are simply amazing! Two stereo line ins and two line outs with RCA and 6,3mm jacks, instrument and microphone input (XLR in the back). But sadly, there’s no phantom power – this might be limiting since you’ll probably want to plug a condenser mic to try some recordings.
10. Asus XONAR SE 5.1
Coming from a company that has built an incontestable name in the gaming hardware industry, the Asus Xonar SE is a powerful card perfect for both games and movies. It’s also a budget-friendly option that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great PC sound cards. This low-profile bracket makes it easy to plug this card directly into the PCIe x1 slot and works on any new motherboard. By using hyper grounding technology, you get better sound without all the interference and distortion. It also features a 5.1 channel high-res audio at up to 192kHz/24bit.
How To Choose The Best USB Sound Card?
A sound card is an important but usually overlooked computer part. A USB model has a trade-off of a single USB port for several audio ports, including a 3.5mm output jack, a 3.5mm input jack, coaxial S/PDIF jack, and optical S/PDIF jack. Aside from the ports, you also need to consider the quality of the material used. For long-lasting use, you have to choose the best USB sound card to reap the maximum sound quality benefits. Here are few advantages of an external card over an internal one:
- Easily accessible and installed. It means that you do not have to open or take your computer apart to use and connect an external SD card. An external sound card is a simple plug and play.
- It is compact, small, and portable.
- No risk of electric shock. There is always a risk of a static shock involved working with internal SD cards, which can damage a computer’s internal components when opening it up.
- You can add fantastic surround sound capabilities to your laptop.
- Protect your storage equipment from dust and bugs.
Conclusions
The best USB sound card will really depend on your needs and potential uses, so we’ll highlight brands and models with a range of I/O (input/output). We’ll start with the smaller units and move down the page toward the larger ones. It’s organized by the number of XLR mic inputs. All of the interfaces should work with both Mac OS and Windows, but I’ll mention if that’s not the case or if there have been any issues. Most are USB 2.0 but there are a couple that use USB 3.0 along with newer models using Type-C.