Top 30 Sound Card Brands in 2024

The most popular brands for Sound Card Includes Creative, ASUS, Plantronics, Dell, TERRATEC, HP, Creative Technology, Genius, Aztech, Toshiba among many others.

1

Creative

Popular Brand

Sound is a significant element in the field of entertainment. Without sound, everything feels dull and incomplete. Creative comes up with solutions to problems like these. The company produces audio accessories for your entertainment systems, PCs, and many more. Established in Singapore, they are famous for their Sound Blaster sound cards, which made them a globally renowned producer of sound systems. Creative offers products ranging from soundbars and speakers to headphones and other accessories.

2

ASUS

Popular Brand

ASUS is a multinational company founded in 1989 and specialized in consumer electronics and hardware. It is considered people's first choice regarding motherboards and gaming products. The brand snatched its claim to fame in 2007 when it refurbished the PC industry with its creation of the Eee PC. Recently, it even created a smart home robot, Zenbo, to make the lives of households more convenient. As of today, it has won multiple accolades.

3

Plantronics

Popular Brand

Plantronics is built with the confidence of the future. Plantronics has been in business since 1969. They have made their appearance on the moon too! Don't believe us? The brand developed the headsets that were used by the crew to communicate. They have been dealing with technology and machines for a long time, so they know about the industry. They were so advanced 50 years ago, and now they have grown as a brand even more.

4

Dell

Best Brand

Michael Dell founded PC’s Limited in 1984 with the intent of providing customized upgrades for computers. The initiative was successful, and Dell dropped out of college to start building computers. Soon, he started selling his designs, which were met with tremendous success. Over time, he could offer computers of premium quality at economical prices. In 1988, the company was renamed Dell Computer Corporation and continued to provide modern products.

5

TERRATEC

Best Brand

TERRATEC symbolizes dependable, high-quality products. From sound cards to power banks, TV, speakers, audio-video, and accessories. TERRATEC offers a diverse selection of solutions to fulfill the needs of audiophiles. They are the proud manufacturer of DVB-T sticks for TV reception and the Grabster, which helps to digitalize VHS cassettes and enables you to record your gaming sessions. Convenient devices such as ChargeAIR dot!, ChargeAIR All Desk Pro, and TERRATEC GRABBY round out the portfolio.

6

HP

Best Brand

The Hewlett-Packard Company was founded when completely electronic computers did not exist. It was 1939, and the only printers were industrial-sized. Its defining feature was its health care plan for its employees and its use of an open office floor plan, allowing for convenient operations. Its manufacture of high-end products allowed it to rapidly gain a presence worldwide, making it one of the most famous technology brands today.

7

Creative Technology

Best Brand

Product developer and award-winning manufacturer Creative Technology create items that let sound's enormous potential shine. Best-end wireless speakers, PC soundbars, Bluetooth earbuds, Sound Blaster sound cards, gaming headsets, MP3 players, and other audio equipment are available. From its beginnings in PC-based audio, Creative has developed into a comprehensive technology firm with a range of products for mobile phones and home theatre systems. They use the most recent technological advancements to produce goods that improve your living and provide you with plenty of enjoyment.

8

Genius

Best Brand
9

Aztech

Aztech Technologies Pte Ltd is a leading brand located in Singapore. It is one of the top brands to rely...

10

Toshiba

Toshiba's journey started in 1875 and was based on a factory started by Hisashige Tanaka. Tanaka was famous for creating...

11

C-media

Cmedia is among the leading developers of audio chips and audio technology solutions for various platforms involving PCs. Years from...

12

Trust

13

Digigram

Founded in Monthbonnot, Rhone-Alpes, France, Digigram gives the best hardware for sharing excellent video and sound. The organization is one...

14

Hercules

Hercules provides the most effective and creative digital music services for you and your family to enjoy. Enjoy millions of...

15

Compaq

James Harris and William Murto founded Compaq in 1982 to manufacture high-quality American computers. Its main goal was to build...

16

Lenovo

Lenovo introduced itself to the personal technology market in 2004. However, its history spans a more extended period. In 1984,...

17

AOPEN

AOPEN is a prominent Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that has made significant progress with their solutions for healthcare, education, and EV...

18

EVGA

EVGA is a leading NVIDIA-approved partner in channel sales across North America. As part of this collaboration, EVGA has worked...

19

Typhoon

Typhoon Hil is a leader in making Controller Hardware In The Loop simulation technology systems used in power electronics and...

20

AudioScience

AudioScience has chosen a pretty revealing name for the company. You can deduce that they deal with audio products and...

21

ATI

ATI Systems is a group that is made up of five divisions. The company helps in manufacturing and supplying essential...

22

Ultron

Ultron AG is the place to go to for all your tech needs. Since its inception in 2001, the company...

23

SIIG

SIIG is a world leader in reasonable signal solutions for consumers, businesses, and industrial industries. KVM switches, USB-to-VGA/DVI adapter cables,...

24

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach is a gaming audio leader, offering outstanding sound quality and innovative technologies that increase performance and give gamers...

26

Gateway

Since 1997, organizations have relied on Gateway as a reliable supplier of managed services, data centers, cloud computing, and IT...

27

Packard Bell

Packard Bell was born in 1926. They are one of the companies that revolutionized the home entertainment game. Radios, PC,...

28

ESI

ESI is a significant manufacturer of revolutionary laser micro-production systems and component test systems used by electronics manufacturers worldwide to...

29

Sabrent

Sabrent designs and produces various products that help make life easier. The Sabrent product line includes a full range of...

30

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Sound Card Buying Guide

Before discussing the sound card buying guide, it is necessary to understand what is a sound card, how it functions, and why it is essential for your computer.

Sound Card: Overview

A Sound Card is an internal or external device that is used to facilitate the input and output of multimedia sounds such as music, voice, and other sound effects. The sound card is usually connected to the computer’s motherboard, and it either integrates or expands the computer sound capability. Sound cards come in various types, shapes, sizes, and with different functionalities. However, a right sound card should satisfy the user’s needs and preferences, be compatible with their computer, and provide accurate and high-quality sound output.

Importance of Sound Cards

Even though most modern computers have an integrated sound system, a sound card still offers many advantages which include:

1. Better Sound Quality

Most onboard sound systems feature low-quality audio codecs that can only offer “okay” sound quality. Sound cards, on the other hand, offer high-quality audio codecs that deliver crisp and clear sound output. Also, sound cards come with many features such as surround sound, bass boosting, and equalization which can help to enhance the sound quality even further.

2. Multiple Audio I/O Ports

A sound card offers multiple Audio Input/Output interfaces such as Line-In, Mic-In, S/PDIF, and RCA to mention a few. In contrast, onboard sound systems may only have one or two interfaces available. This feature is quite useful for people who use their computer for various audio purposes since it allows them to record and playback sound from different sources simultaneously.

3. Low Latency and High Performance

Sound Cards use dedicated chips that are designed purely for sound processing. This makes them faster and more agile than onboard sound systems that are designed primarily for efficiency. High-performance sound cards are of great advantage to those who use their computer for music production and gaming since they provide better latency and are less likely to experience audio lag or distorted sound output.

4. Compatibility

Sound Cards are designed for compatibility with different devices and operating systems. Most soundcards come with dedicated drivers for various operating systems which makes them easier to install and use on your computer.

Types of Sound Cards

Two main types of sound cards are available in the market today:

1. Internal Sound Cards

Internal Sound Cards are usually installed on the computer’s motherboard. These cards are installed in a PCI or PCIe slot and offer better sound quality, more features, and reduced signal interference. These sound cards are ideal for people who use their computer for gaming or music production since they offer low latency and high-performance audio processing capabilities.

2. External Sound Cards

External Sound Cards are connected to the computer’s USB or Firewire ports. These sound cards offer portability and easy setup since they are portable and can be connected directly to other devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. External Sound Cards are ideal for people who need to record sound on the go or require quick and easy setup.

Factors to Consider when Buying Sound Cards

When buying a sound card, several factors need to be considered. These include:

1. Audio Compatibility

It is crucial to ensure that the sound card is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer. Most sound cards come with dedicated drivers for various operating systems, so it is essential to check for compatibility before making your purchase.

2. Audio Channels

Sound Cards can offer varying levels of sound output channels. The most common are 5.1, 7.1, and 8.1 channel outputs. These provide different surround sound experiences, and it is essential to choose a card that offers the right number of channels for your needs.

3. Audio Codecs

The audio codec is the chip used for audio processing on sound cards. Some sound cards use high-end audio codecs such as ASUS and Creative, while others use lower-end audio codecs such as Realtek. High-end Audio codecs are generally more expensive than lower-end codecs but offer better sound quality, while lower-end codecs usually offer lower sound quality but are budget-friendly.

4. Audio Interfaces

Sound Cards come with various audio interfaces that allow different types of audio input/output such as RCA, S/PDIF, Line-In, and Mic-In. It is essential to choose a sound card that has the required audio interface for your needs.

5. Latency

Latency refers to the time it takes for your computer to process the sound data and produce sound output. High latency can cause issues such as audio lag and jitter, which can negatively impact your audio experience. It is therefore essential to choose a sound card that offers low latency for your needs.

6. Brand and Price

Finally, it is crucial to choose a reputable brand that offers a warranty and customer support. Sound Cards come in various quality, functionality, and price brackets. It is, therefore, important to choose a sound card that offers value for money and fits within your budget.

Top Sound Cards

Here are some of the top sound cards that are worth considering:

1. ASUS Essence STX II

The ASUS Essence STX II is an internal sound card that uses a high-end audio codec for audio processing. This card offers 7.1 channel audio output, low latency, and an audio interface that includes headphones, RCA, and S/PDIF. The ASUS Essence STX II is ideal for music production, gaming, and general audio playback.

2. Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5

The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 is an internal sound card that uses a high-end audio codec for audio processing. This card offers 5.1 channel audio output, low latency, and an audio interface that includes headphones, Mic-In, and S/PDIF. The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 is ideal for music production, gaming, and general audio playback.

3. Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD

The Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD is an external sound card that uses low-end audio codecs for audio processing. This card offers low latency, 2-channel audio output, and an audio interface that includes XLR, RCA, and S/PDIF inputs. The Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD is ideal for basic audio playback and recording needs.

4. Focusrite Scarlett Solo

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is an external sound card that uses high-end audio codecs for audio processing. This card offers 2-channel audio output, low latency, and an audio interface that includes XLR, RCA, and S/PDIF inputs. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is ideal for music production, podcasting, and general audio playback.

5. Sennheiser GSX 1000

The Sennheiser GSX 1000 is an external sound card that uses high-end audio codecs for audio processing. This card offers 7.1 channel audio output, low latency, and an audio interface that includes headphones, Mic-In, and S/PDIF. The Sennheiser GSX 1000 is ideal for gaming, music production, and general audio playback.

Conclusion

A sound card is an essential device that every computer user should consider buying. A sound card offers better sound quality, low latency, and multiple audio interfaces that make it ideal for music production, gaming, podcasting, and general audio playback. When buying a sound card, it is essential to consider factors such as audio compatibility, audio channels, audio codecs, audio interfaces, latency, brand, and price. By considering these factors, you can find the right sound card that suits your needs, fits your budget, and offers value for money.

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