The 30 best sound card brands
Creative, ASUS and TERRATEC lead our ranking of 30 sound card brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Sound Card brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Creative
Creative makes Sound Blaster sound cards for PCs, spanning budget internal cards to external USB audio devices.
Website: us.creative.com |Brands like Creative
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
ASUS
ASUS makes Xonar sound cards for PCs, aimed at gaming and home audio use.
Website: asus.com |Brands like ASUS
Popularity 3.9/10
-
3
TERRATEC
TERRATEC makes internal and external sound cards and audio interfaces for music and home recording.
Website: terratec.de |Brands like TERRATEC
Popularity 3.0/10
-
4
Genius
Genius is a digital media firm based in the United States. Users may add comments and interpretations to music lyrics, news articles, sources, poetry, and documents on the site. Genius is a place where musicians, creatives, and superfans can talk about and analyze all things music. Spotify collaborates with Genius for their "Behind the Lyrics" function, which shows material for selected music, enabling users to see annotated lyrics for songs while listening to them.
Website: genius.com |Brands like Genius
Popularity 2.1/10
-
5
Aztech
Aztech historically made budget multimedia and sound cards for PCs, along with other computer peripherals.
Website: aztechshirts.com |Brands like Aztech
Popularity 2.1/10
-
6
C-media
C-Media designs audio controller chips used in many USB and PCI sound cards.
Website: cmedia.com.tw |Brands like C-media
Popularity 2.0/10
-
7
Trust
Trust makes PC sound cards and USB audio devices alongside speakers and accessories.
Website: trust.com |Brands like Trust
Popularity 1.9/10
-
8
Digigram
Digigram makes professional audio capture and playback cards for broadcast and industrial use.
Website: digigram.com |Brands like Digigram
Popularity 1.6/10
-
9
Hercules
Hercules makes PC sound cards and audio accessories aimed at gamers and music users.
Website: hercules.com |Brands like Hercules
Popularity 1.5/10
-
10
AOPEN
AOPEN is a prominent Taiwanese electronics manufacturer that has made significant progress with their solutions for healthcare, education, and EV charging technology, with the epicentre on digital signage players and panel PC peripherals. The company is proactively developing solutions to...
Website: aopen.com |Brands like AOPEN
Popularity 1.2/10
-
11
AudioScience
AudioScience makes professional PCI and PCIe audio interface cards for broadcast and recording.
Website: audioscience.com |Brands like AudioScience
Popularity 1.1/10
-
12
Ultron
Ultron AG is the place to go to for all your tech needs. Since its inception in 2001, the company has made innovative electronic products that they've designed according to your requirements. Their HAWK Gaming Set has elevated the gaming...
Website: ultron.de |Brands like Ultron
Popularity 1.1/10
-
13
SIIG
SIIG is a world leader in reasonable signal solutions for consumers, businesses, and industrial industries. KVM switches, USB-to-VGA/DVI adapter cables, HDMI cables, DVI cables and adapters, VGA cables and adapters, HDBaseT extenders and converters, power strips and surge protectors, PC...
Website: siig.com |Brands like SIIG
Popularity 1.0/10
-
14
Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach is a gaming audio leader, offering outstanding sound quality and innovative technologies that increase performance and give gamers the edge they need to win. They provide a wide range of fantastic products to boost your gaming experience. Their...
Website: turtlebeach.com |Brands like Turtle Beach
Popularity 1.0/10
-
15
ESI
ESI makes professional PCI and USB audio interfaces for music production and recording.
Website: esi.com |Brands like ESI
Popularity 0.9/10
-
16
Sabrent
Sabrent makes USB adapters and expansion products, including USB sound cards.
Website: sabrent.com |Brands like Sabrent
Popularity 0.9/10
-
17
AUDIOTRAK
AUDIOTRAK makes PCI sound cards and audio interfaces for PCs.
Website: audiotrak.jimdofree.com |Brands like AUDIOTRAK
Popularity 0.7/10
-
18
Manhattan
Manhattan makes cables, adapters and USB accessories, including USB sound adapters.
Website: manhattan.de |Brands like Manhattan
Popularity 0.7/10
-
19
Diamond Multimedia
Diamond Multimedia historically sold PC sound cards and graphics cards; the brand is now mostly gone.
Website: diamondmm.com |Brands like Diamond Multimedia
Popularity 0.7/10
-
20
Sweex
Sweex is a brand of consumer electronics that sells electronic gadgets and appliances for households and essential everyday products. With 35 years of experience inventing technology, it covers a huge array of daily needs, including safety & security products, media...
Website: sweex.com |Brands like Sweex
Popularity 0.7/10
-
21
Guillemot
Guillemot makes sound cards and audio products, and is linked to the Hercules brand.
Website: guillemot.com |Brands like Guillemot
Popularity 0.7/10
-
22
Syba
Syba makes PCI and PCIe expansion cards, including sound cards, for PCs.
Website: sybausa.com |Brands like Syba
Popularity 0.6/10
-
23
VIA
VIA makes chipsets and audio codecs that appear on many motherboards with integrated sound.
Website: viatech.com |Brands like VIA
Popularity 0.5/10
-
24
Onkyo
Onkyo is known for AV receivers and audio gear and once sold PC sound cards.
Website: intl.onkyo.com |Brands like Onkyo
Popularity 0.5/10
-
25
Realtek
Realtek makes audio codec chips used in motherboard and add-in sound solutions.
Website: realtek.com |Brands like Realtek
Popularity 0.5/10
-
26
Avid
Avid makes Pro Tools audio interface cards used in professional recording studios.
Website: avidcycles.com |Brands like Avid
Popularity 0.5/10
-
27
Sandberg
Sandberg sells budget PC accessories, including USB sound cards and adapters.
Website: sandberg.world |Brands like Sandberg
Popularity 0.5/10
-
28
HT Omega
HT Omega makes high-end PCI sound cards for audio enthusiasts and studios.
Website: htomega.com |Brands like HT Omega
Popularity 0.5/10
-
29
RME
RME makes professional PCI and PCIe audio interface cards for studio recording.
Website: rme-audio.de |Brands like RME
Popularity 0.4/10
-
30
WIN
WIN is a store that sells a wide range of items, including computers, brand new laptops, mobile phones, and other accessories. Their objective is to supply you with the most advanced technologies and accessories at competitive pricing. They provide branded...
Website: wincomputers.com.pk |Brands like WIN
Popularity 0.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative | us.creative.com | /CreativeLabs | creativelabs | @creativelabs | – |
| ASUS | asus.com | /AsusIndia | asusindia | @ASUSindia | – |
| TERRATEC | terratec.de | – | – | – | – |
| Genius | genius.com | – | – | @genius | – |
| Aztech | aztechshirts.com | /Aztech-Screen-Printing-Design-Inc-145753412122722 | aztech_screenprinting | – | – |
| C-media | cmedia.com.tw | – | – | – | – |
| Trust | trust.com | /Trust.International | trustgaming | @trustgaming | Trust |
| Digigram | digigram.com | /Digigram.Official | – | @digigram | – |
| Hercules | hercules.com | /HerculesDJMixRoom | herculesdj | @herculesdjmix | HerculesDJmixroom |
| AOPEN | aopen.com | – | – | – | – |
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.
