Depending on how we use our PC, it is likely that the sound card integrated into our PC’s motherboard will be more than sufficient. If we want to enjoy the best sound quality on our PC when we watch movies or play our favorite titles, the only way to do it is to use a sound card, external or via USB.
The number of sound cards that can be found on the market is very wide and varied. You can find everything, from basic models to the most advanced, the latter being intended for sound professionals, so they are not intended for a general public. If you’ve been thinking about buying a sound card for a while, below we present the best value for money models on the market.
PCIe sound card
Sound Blaster is a veteran of the graphics card industry, one of the few manufacturers present in this market for more than 20 years and in which it continues to be a benchmark. This manufacturer offers us, via Amazon, 3 models to cover all needs and which include a program to get the most out of them.
The Sound Blaster Audigy Fx is the base model of this manufacturer, a model with 5.1 output, maximum sound at 106 dB, AMP 600 ohms, independent line and microphone inputs and compatible with songs in 192 kHz at 24 bits without processing.
If we want to improve our gaming experience, the Sound Blaster Z SE is what we are looking for. This PCIe card allows you to create different sound profiles to enjoy the best sound at all times. In addition, it allows us to enjoy our favorite music with up to 116 dB in 14-bit and 192 kHz with sound quality up to 600 ohms and is compatible with 7.1, Dolby Digital Live and DTS.
To enjoy the best sound quality, this manufacturer offers us the Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus model, a high-end sound card up to 32 bits and 385 kHz with up to 122 dB SNR and RGB lighting. It allows us to create different audio profiles for each of the titles we play, it is compatible with DTS and Dolby Digital Live and we can purchase it through the following link.
USB sound cards for recording
In addition to the different PCIe models available on the market, we can also find models with a USB port, ideal for connecting to any laptop like the M-Audio M-Track Duo. It is an ideal sound card for recording podcasts or music that you create thanks to the 2 XLR inputs as well as for streaming. It includes access to several applications from this manufacturer such as TubeSynth, Electric and Bassline, a large number of effects and 2 GB of storage.
This manufacturer also offers us a model with a single XLR input a little cheaper than the previous model but with the same characteristics and functionalities.
If we talk about the best-selling USB sound card on Amazon and which is also the best rated, we have to talk about Scarlett 2i2 3rd generation. This is a sound card via USB that records, composes and broadcasts music or podcasts. Allows you to connect up to 2 instruments and 2 line inputs with a headphone output.