Asus Xonar DX 7.1 Channel PCI Express Sound Card (AV100 - PCI Express - 24 bit - Internal)

342 Reviews

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	Price: $82.24
	Price: $89.99
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Pros: Excellent quality, Has a front panel connector
Cons: Manual switch to headphones, Plugs are not color coded, Doesn't Support DTS Surround

The Xonar DX uses the Cirrus Logic Oxygen HD audio processor just like any other PC Cards but because it provides very clear playback and a notably excellent audio quality, it has a competitive edge among other brands of the same category. It is complete with Dolby technologies such as Dolby Virtual Speaker for a listening environment simulation, DolbyPro-Logic IIx for processing of stereo audio into a 6.1 or 7.1 output, Dolby Digital Live for home theater and Dolby Headphone for personal use. Not to mention, The DS3D GX 2.0 enhances sound effects, bringing PC gaming to life. Other amazing features include VocalFX which allows you to disguise your voice by changing your pitch, Acoustic Echo Cancellation which helps eliminate up to 40dB speaker echo return for better communication quality, Smart Volume Normalizer which of course normalizes all audio into a constant level, Flexbass for professional bass enhancement, Xear 3D Virtual Speaker Shifter for Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning and Karaoke functions for effects that sounds like the professional machine. It has three years limited warranty coverage and is compatible with Windows OS, like XP and Vista. Delivering 35 times cleaner audio quality, the Xonar DX outruns its competitors in every way possible.

Diamond Multimedia XtremeSound Sound Card (PCI - 16 bit - Internal)

156 Reviews

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	Price: $18.12
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Pros: Good basic sound card, Easy to install, Great sound quality, Inexpensive
Cons: Outdated drivers, Software could use some improvement

While there are times when your motherboard's built-in sound is sufficient, there are also instances when an additional sound card is still recommended. For example, gaming and multimedia viewing. The Diamond Multimedia XtremeSound, unlike other sound cards, is capable of giving you true 5.1 surround sound at a price you can afford. The low cost, the great build and sound and the decent array of connections make it a good entry-level sound card. It is not comparable and not as versatile as higher-end models but for the price, we really can't complain. It suits your basic audio needs and is easy to install. Everything you need to know is in the quick start guide and installation CD. Audio quality is also pretty good. It produces clearer and louder sound that matches your stunning graphics. The card supports 48K/16 bit playback and 48K/16bit recording as well as EAX 2.0 and A3D sound. It works well with desktop computers running Windows XP or Windows 2000 systems and requires an AMD Athlon or Intel Pentium 4 processor along with a 20MB free hard disk space. In addition to offering a 6 Channel Audio Output and Karaoke support, there are also special effects like Concert Hall, a 5.1 virtual speaker shifter for your mp3s and CDs and a 10 Band Equalizer with Presets. On a less positive note, the Diamond Multimedia XtremeSound comes with outdated drivers. The bundled software could also use some improvement as it is not as great as those that came with other sound cards in the same class. However, the former can be quickly resolved by downloading the latest drivers provided in the company's website.

Asus Xonar Essence STX Sound Card (AV100 - PCI Express - 24 bit - Internal)

155 Reviews

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	Price: $183.53
WIREDZONE.COM	Price: $184.39
	Price: $179.99
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Pros: 7.1 audio with very high signal-to-noise ratio for excellent clarity, Headphone amplifier, Digital Audio processing software
Cons: No HDMI port, Requires an available 4-pin MOLEX power connector

Treat your ears to the best sounds your computer can make with the ASUS XONAR Essence STX Sound card. The excellent audio processing power in this device is perfect for musicians and audiophiles who demand absolute clarity and thundering dynamics in their music, while, as a nice side bonus, the XONAR's elegant black-and-gold construction tips in a little more style into your computer case. This internal sound card makes use of a spare PCI-E X1 Slot, and will require that you have an available 4-pin MOLEX connector to provide it with power. In return though, you get sheer auditory bliss whether you are listening to music, watching movies, or playing games. With an ASUS AV100 chipset onboard, this sound card produces a Virtual 7.1 Channel environment with 192Kbps sampling. The XONAR STX boasts of a device benchmark of a 124 dB SNR rating, which brings out every little detail that your onboard sound card misses. It appears to cater more to headphones users, as it has an actual built-in headphone amplifier that boosts the sound that it channels into your earphones, as well as an EMI shield that insulates signals and lessens distortion. This sound card comes fully loaded with the best digital audio processing suites on the market. With the ASUS XONAR Essence, you get Dolby Digital Live, Headphone, Virtual Speaker, and Pro-Logic II Technology, which all work in sync to produce a total sound environment. It also enhances on some of your operating system's own sound processing drivers. The back panel of the ASUS XONAR Essence has the connection ports for auxiliary equipment, such as left and right Analog RCA outputs, a pair of 6.30mm jacks, one input and the other output, for headphones and microphones/Line-in devices, and a S/PDIF port that you use for connecting the XONAR Essence to Digital audio devices. The thing we were looking for on the ASUS XONAR Essence STX Sound Card is an HDMI port, and this may very well be the main issue with this sound card. Instead of HDMI, it uses an additional S/PDIF out located on the board itself that you need to connect to a graphics card with that particular functionality, which translates to a bit more time setting up the unit than is really necessary if that particular technology had been available from the outset. For headphone users though, this sound card is a definite easy sell, especially as it works great with high-quality headsets.

Creative 70SB109500000 SoundBlaster Xfi Surround 5.1 Pro

101 Reviews

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	Price: $59.99
	Price: $59.99
	Price: $64.99
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Pros: Abundant connectivity options, Easy installation, Compact design
Cons: Not compatible with Mac

The SoundBlaster Xfi by Creative enables you to enhance your audio experience without the complexity of internal sound cards. It incorporates THX TruStudio Pro technology which reproduces every detail of your music and movies and Dolby Digital Live which allows easy connection and helps keep extra cables to a minimum. Thanks to its no-fuss installation, you'll be up and running in no time. Although it is not compatible with Mac systems, this external sound card works seamlessly with Windows 7, Vista and XP. It even comes complete with a Stereo RCA to mini-jack adapter, a USB Cable and an installation CD that will guide you through the set-up. It also offers a wealth of connections including an Optical Digital Output, a Center/Sub Output, a Rear Left & Right Speaker Output and microphone and headphone inputs. Furthermore, it comes bundled with Cyberlink PowerDVD software for watching your favorite movies and ships with aremote for controlling the volume from a distance. It also doesn't require an AC adapter since it is powered directly from your notebook's USB port. In general, the Creative SoundBlaster Xfi makes a worthy replacement to your onboard sound card. The sound it produces suits every kind of music and its ultra compact design makes it ideal for those with limited space on their desk. On top of all these, it provides true surround sound and delivers stellar performance for everyday activities.

StarTech.com 5 Channel PCI Sound Adapter Card & Audio (PCI - 24 bit - Internal)

21 Reviews

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	Price: $16.84
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Pros: Easy to install, Decent sound, Small form factor, Modest price, MIDI support
Cons: Average sound

When using your PC, sound cards play a big role if you want to hear every distinct voice or instrument from your movies and music. The 5 Channel PCI Sound Card from StarTech.com is a great entry level 5.1 sound card especially when matched with good speakers. Smaller than most sound cards, you can easily install it in your case using the supplied bracket without the fear of blocking other ports or slots. At this price point, the Game or MIDI port serves as a bonus. It makes it more versatile by letting you use your old legacy gaming devices and MIDI instruments. There's nothing special in terms of sound quality but if you want to experience surround sound or hear clearer and better sound from your PC and you're not willing to pay a lot, this PCI sound card will not disappoint. It supports up to 48KHz sampling rate and permits a Full-Duplex operation for simultaneous recording and playback. It is also covered with a lifetime warranty and free lifetime technical support. Supported systems include Windows 9x, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, 2003, Server 2008, Vista and 7. Price and ease of installation are two of this 5 Channel PCI Sound Card's key selling points. Although it doesn't provide the greatest audio, it improves the quality of your PC's sound to some extent while remaining wallet-friendly. Bottomline, if you've always wanted to replace your onboard audio but you want to keep your budget in check, you can probably do worse than to give this one a try, but for heavy users who demand the best when it comes to quality, investing in a higher-end sound card would most likely be an intelligent move.