Unfortunately, at the moment, the external sound card is a luxury device for avid professionals, geeks and connoisseurs, while ordinary users have to use integrated options, which is a big loss. It is an indisputable fact that you can find a high-quality built-in codec, while it will only improve over time, but hardware solutions also do not stop. You also need to add that the audio data is processed in the device itself at the hardware level. There are only pluses in this: when listening to lossless audio files or watching video files, the processor is unloaded, and in the absence of an external sound card, it does all the work. Therefore, buying a separate card is the best option.
In order to make the right choice, one can not do without painstaking analysis of a number of necessary characteristics that an external sound card has. Some may be inconsequential, while others are important. So, let's start with the basic parameters.
Form factor
In the words of an ordinary person, this is the type of
sound card that you will have. Since the meaning of this article is to clarify the situation with external devices (and they are irreplaceable), we will talk about this form factor, although there are internal sound cards. Imagine a situation that you have a reasonably well-functioning laptop that meets all your requirements, except for one: an ancient sound card is built into it that produces low-quality sound. In this case, an external sound card that works through the USB interface is suitable for you. If you have a stationary computer, then still pay attention to the built-in options, the price will be less, and there will be more free USB ports.
Acoustics
It is worthwhile to turn your attention to an external sound card only if your speaker system, that is, speakers, costs more than 180 cu and belongs to at least the middle class. Otherwise, the difference will be imperceptible, and the money will be wasted, since low-budget speakers produce a bad sound, regardless of the card.
Support for various sound standards
Marketers of all manufacturers print proudly flamboyant labels on the boxes of their brainchilds, such as EAX, EAX ADVANCED HD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Surround, DTS Digital Surround, but do you really need these standards? First you need to clarify what they mean and what to do if they are absent. The last four options are undoubtedly mandatory, because for multi-channel tracks in films this is the standard. All modern films come with a DTS soundtrack, which is a cut above the AC3 standard, even on cheap speakers and a sound card. In addition, there is their hardware support, which, of course, cannot but rejoice. If the reader of the article is an avid gamer who prefers the latest toys that have support for multi-channel sound, then he can not do without EAX. If you are not keen on computer games, then you should not spend money on EAX.
Specific models
Like any other device, an external sound card for recording is of three classes: budget, optimal and luxury. So, the best budget sound card is the Miotex MT97SB with a price of 13 cu The best choice would be Creative E-MU 0204, and the best external sound card is ASUS Xonar Essence ONE Muses Edition with a slightly daunting price tag of 790 cu, but believe me, the game is worth the candle.
Now you know how to buy a sound card that will last for many years.