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10 best external sound cards for computer and laptop

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Steinberg UR12
ASUS Sound Card Xonar U5
Creative Sound Blaster X7
Creative Sound Blaster E5
Creative Sound BlasterX
Creative Sound Blaster Omni
AudioQuest DragonFly
FiiO E10K
Creative Sound BlasterX G1
ASUS Xonar U3

Using an external sound card can significantly improve the sound quality of your favorite laptop or desktop computer, especially if it's a budget model. They are easy to configure and connect to a computer via a USB port..

Before starting work on your PC, you may need to download and install the drivers that are usually supplied with your device. In most cases, all the user needs to do is connect the device and select it as the sound source in the settings.

Steinberg UR12

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The device has 1 microphone and 1 Hi-Z, 2 line outputs. The system is compatible with Windows as well as iPad. One of the advantages over the competition is that the device has 6 inputs and 4 outputs. The benefits of the card can be fully experienced when using it in a home studio..

“I am very pleased with this purchase. For $ 300, you can't ask for more than this device gives. For me, this little gadget is a versatile option for recording and mixing. " - Buyer's review on Amazon.

ASUS Sound Card Xonar U5

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The Xonar U5 from ASUS is capable of providing 5.1-channel surround sound. The device is equipped with a noise suppressor, as well as a powerful amplifier that can work with top-end headphones. The attractive design and wide range of connectivity options make the device a great option in its price range..

The card has 6 analog output channels and 4 analog connectors. The C-Media CM6631A chipset is used. The maximum sampling rate is 192 kHz. The signal-to-fur ratio is at an average level, at 104dB.

Creative Sound Blaster X7

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If you have a good budget for your purchase, the Creative Sound Blaster X7 external sound card is worth a look, which features a high-definition D / A converter, studio-grade headphone amplifier, and plenty of connectivity options. These include Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC for high quality audio streaming, among others.

The following technologies were used in the production: SBX Pro Studio, CrystalVoice, Scout Mode, Dolby Digital. The card has a proprietary Creative SB-Axx1 chipset. The signal-to-noise ratio is at a professional level and is 127 dB.

Creative Sound Blaster E5

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The Sound Blaster E5 is a headphone amplifier from Creative. The gadget is equipped with a powerful amplifier with a maximum impedance of up to 600 ohms, as well as an excellent digital-to-analog converter with a Cirrus Logic CS4398 chip, which provides excellent sound quality.

The device offers a variety of connectivity options including USB and microUSB ports, Bluetooth and NFC for easy pairing with mobile devices. There is also a built-in 3200 mAh battery, which will allow the card to work offline for up to 8 hours.

Creative Sound BlasterX

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This external sound card from Creative supports 7.1 channel and is ideal for immersive 3D audio gaming on your PC. This is definitely one of the best-in-class gaming sound cards. It is equipped with an amplifier for top-end headphones and a built-in audio processor.

“I'm not kidding, this card is as good as my computer's card, and for some reason it drives my high-end headphones better. It works and it works well. No noise comes from USB. " - customer feedback on Amazon.

Creative Sound Blaster Omni

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Creative is one of the leaders in the external sound card market, and the Sound Blaster Omni is one of the most popular devices. It features dual microphones for superior voice call quality, 5.1ch surround sound, and easy-to-use advanced control software. The amplifier can handle even demanding headphone models (up to 600 ohm impedance).

AudioQuest DragonFly

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This device is a surefire way to improve the sound quality of your favorite pair of headphones. It can be more expensive than most of the competition, but if you want to improve the detail and richness of your music and games, then this is one of the best options available. The sampling rate is 96 kHz.

FiiO E10K

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This compact USB-DAC and headphone amplifier works fantastic, especially considering its £ 699 price tag. The device offers a simple yet premium design, with a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front and coaxial and 3.5mm outputs on the back.

The volume control is well-adjusted and turns with the right amount of effort. The device will greatly improve the sound quality of your computer and improve its bass without the need to install any drivers.

Creative Sound BlasterX G1

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This is a portable 7.1 channel sound card with headphone amplifier, supports up to 300 ohm impedance. Ideal for the lover of computer games. The BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro software that can be downloaded from the manufacturer's official website will allow you to adjust the sound in games so that you will hear every rustle of the enemy. The built-in X-Plus mode will highlight the most important sounds in the game and muffle those that are not very important. However, this mode can be quickly disabled.

ASUS Xonar U3

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A compact variant from ASUS, the Xonar U3, no larger than a USB stick. It features a premium headphone amplifier, Dolby surround sound and the ability to add cool 3D effects to your favorite games. A reliable option for gamers on a budget.


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