The best sound cards of 2020

From the name you can already guess that in this category are collected models that are installed outside the system case. For connection, the appropriate connectors are used: USB or FireWire. The advantages of this technique include convenience and ease of connection. You can use such components for several systems at once, including laptops, game consoles, and PCs. Moreover, the distance from the "iron" of the system reduces the level of interference. The downside is that such solutions require the use of additional space near the PC. In addition, these devices often have to use an additional power source (outlet).

Opens the Top 10 Sound Cards Model Creative Sound Blaster Play! 3 - amplifier, attracting instant updating of sound from the motherboard. Suitable for personal computers and Mac. It copes with the transmission of high-quality, surround sound to simple headphones, mobile devices, studio and gaming headsets. It works in conjunction with convenient software that offers “audio realism” and many interesting effects. The creation of optimized profiles for various models of headphones. Blaster PLAY! 3 updates the audio to 24-bit 96 kHz, which will allow you to go to a new level of comfort when watching movies, listening to music and in games.

This is a stylish and compact external sound card with a bit capacity of the DAC and ADC of 24 bits. The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro model for mass production guarantees excellent sound quality while listening to music and movies. Of particular note is the support of the advanced SBX Pro Studio technology. There is also Dolby Digital Live. Already by the name you can understand that the device can reproduce 5.1-channel sound with a good signal to noise ratio of 100 dB. At the same time, the manufacturer took care of the availability of an extensive number of ports, including 3 mini-Jack outputs, 2 stereo RCA ports (gold-plated) and 1 optical digital output.

If you don’t know which external sound card to buy for games with an adequate price tag, then you should definitely pay attention to the Asus Xonar U7 MKII 7.1 format. The strengths of this device include support for Hyper Grounding technology. There is a game utility called Sonic Radar Pro, as well as proprietary software Sonic Studio.It works in the mode of 192 kHz / 24 bits. It is worth adding that this sound card perfectly interacts with high impedance headphones. At the same time, the quality of the design and the materials used makes us believe in the long service life of the equipment.

In terms of price / quality, a definite worthy solution is an external sound card Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 with a DAC and ADC capacity of 16 bits. 5.1 channels available. Nevertheless, the device has massive dimensions, due to good internal content. Based on the comments, the device has a long service life, and a wide scope. Suitable for films, games and, of course, listening to music in high quality. The device is equipped with a high-quality dual microphone that supports CrystalVoice technology. There is a headphone amplifier with a studio-quality level. On the case you can find an advanced digital control for volume control. At the same time, a good remote control is included.

The best external sound card of 2020 - Creative Sound BlasterX G6, designed for installation in gaming PCs. A great solution for PS4, PS5, gaming computers, headphones and other systems. This model supports 32 bit / 384 kHz, 130 dB sound reproduction. For such a result will have to "lay out" the appropriate amount of money. The Xamp discrete headphone amplifier, as well as Dolby Digital decoding, are the cherry on the cake. This despite the fact that the BlasterX G6 works with a virtual, surround sound 7.1. Judging by customer reviews, an excellent voice balance is achieved in games. Implemented sound enhancement technology such as Sound Blaster.

This category presents models designed to operate as a permanent component, that is, they are not retrieved or used for other systems. Such components are connected via PCI or PCIe. The advantages of internal sound cards include compact sizes. At the same time, in terms of functionality and capabilities, there are no restrictions. On sale there are both budget and studio components that guarantee maximum sound quality. The downside is that they are subject to electromagnetic interference, because it is in close proximity to other components of the system.

The Asus Strix Raid DLX model for installation inside the system replenishes the rating of sound cards. The device is made in the corporate design of the Strix series (gaming line). This card, as you know, refers to the premium class. It is distinguished by the presence of parts of the highest class. At the same time, it can interact with the headset of the flagship segment with a resistance of up to 600 Ohms, although such devices are difficult to find on sale. The gadget is equipped with a remote control unit, on which you can find the button to save user settings. There is a convenient intensity control. Devas comes with an advanced software package called Sonic Studio. It is worth saying that Radar Pro technology guarantees a chic advantage in games over analogs at a similar cost.

Another reliable premium segment sound card that captures optimal performance. At the same time, the device attracts not only with high quality, but also with performance. Due to the operation of selected elements, the gadget attracts with a low noise level of up to 124 dB. There is a built-in headphone amplifier TI TPA6120A2 series with a minimum distortion index. The device is suitable for a headset with an impedance of 600 ohms.The strengths of the device include a multi-layer design, which provides for the separation of audio signals from the sound source. In addition, the manufacturer pleased with high-quality and reliable electromagnetic insulation. In the design you can find high-quality capacitors such as Fine Gold from the well-known company Nichicon.

A noteworthy model for indoor installation was released by Creative. Sound Blaster Z made our list of the best sound cards thanks to the PCI-Express interface and a signal to noise ratio of 116 dB. Therefore, this device is 34 times better than the integrated motherboard solution. Advantages include the chic sound processing technology called SBX Pro Studio ™. With its help, it is possible to achieve the most realistic sound and effects both when using standard speakers and when connecting an advanced headset. The bias is also made on the reproduction of crystal clear voice, which users who are forced to constantly hold video conferences or gamers who like to communicate in multiplayer games will undoubtedly appreciate it.

This is one of the top-end internal sound cards that guarantee clear sound. At the same time, the device received an affordable cost and a wide scope. A high-quality headphone amplifier with a resistance of up to 600 Ohms is implemented. The quality of deep and really dense low frequencies can not be faulted. A powerful proprietary utility is used to improve sound quality. There is an external module that guarantees total control over the sound card of an average premium level. The strengths of the device include the built-in DAC ESS SABER 9006A, which guarantees excellent sound. The signal to noise ratio is 116 dB.

The best internal sound card of 2020 is the Creative Sound Blaster ZxR model, connected via the PCI-Express interface. The gadget is designed for use in high-quality PCs with high performance. It supports a variety of sound effects, which guarantees a wide scope of the device. Including, for gaming, multimedia systems. The signal to noise ratio is 124 dB. Another advantage is voice enhancement technology called Crystal Voice. In games, one can clearly feel the focus on the user's voice within a certain zone. The device interacts with headphones, the impedance of which can reach 600 Ohms.

Having decided on the type of audio interface (internal or external), it is worth paying attention to a number of key parameters. If you don’t know how to choose a sound card, it will probably be useful for you to find out about current standards so that at least you don’t get a model that is no longer relevant for a modern system:

1. Number of channels - standard 2.0 (standard stereo sound for two channels), 5.1 (the most popular multi-channel surround sound format), 7.1 (differs from the previous one by supporting two additional channels). The more channels, the better the sound;
2. Audio chip - a key characteristic on which depends not only the quality, but also the capabilities of the device. Knowing the brand of the processor, you can get all the necessary information about it on the Internet;
3. Standards - For multi-channel tracks, Dolby and DTS standards are used mainly in different variations. Another prestigious option is DirectSound and EAX. Recent standards provide support for surround sound when watching movies and other video content;
4. Capacity - As a rule, representatives of the budget segment have a bit depth of a DAC of 16 bits. More advanced solutions supporting 24 bits;

Sampling rate - most often there are standard values, from which we will repel. 44.1 kHz (Audio CD quality), 48 kHz (DVD), 96 kHz (DVD-Audio 5.1) and 192 kHz (DVD-Audio 2.0). Thus, two-channel sound has a higher sampling rate than mono.

Thus, relying only on dry performance, when choosing such a technique - this is not quite the right approach. Moreover, if you do not know which sound card to buy, you need to consider that each has different sound requirements. Accordingly, you need to carefully examine the reviews of independent buyers, among which there are often too demanding and picky users. We, in turn, want to summarize in our top worthy, in our opinion, models:

1. A good and inexpensive sound card - Asus Xonar U7 MKII;
2. Best External - Creative Sound BlasterX G6;
3. Premium Internal - Creative Sound Blaster ZxR.