Reddit reviews ASUS Sound Card Xonar U5
We found 6 Reddit comments about ASUS Sound Card Xonar U5. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
True 5.1-channel HD (192kHz/24-bit) surround sound from a compact USB-powered device104dB signal-to-analog ratio (SNR) ensures pure soundSonic Studio provides complete control over loads of sound technologiesEnjoy powerful audio quality from a compact and portable devicePumps up every sound Detail with the integrated headphone AmplifierIncredible input-noise reduction from Perfect VoiceIndependent mic and master-volume controls for instant in-game adjustmentsIntegrated headphone amplifier provides clear, detailed sound for an immersive audio experienceDimension: 5.4 x 3.14 x 1 Inches ( L x W x H )
External sound cards are going to be your best bet in most cases. For music production in particular you'll wanna make sure it's ASIO compatible (usually listed in the spec sheet of the card). Also, if you're on a budget, try to find one with a built-in DAC, so you don't have to spend unnecessary money on a discrete one. My personal recommendation would be Asus Xonar U5. Pretty inexpensive and is basically all you're gonna need until you go pro.
You're looking for a USB DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter), also called an external soundcard, or some combination of those.
Ones that are a desktop "box" rather than a large dongle tend to be more expensive, however here's one from Asus that a quick Amazon search turned up. Creative is also a name worth looking out for, there's this one and this smaller one There are also higher end ones more suitable if you're doing music or video production, which have high-quality inputs for microphones and instruments.
Don't worry if you find ones that take a 6.25mm (1/4") headphone cable as you can get converters easily. You can certainly get more expensive.
Edit: The Razer box probably does some simulated surround sound processing, I believe the Asus and Creative products should have simulated surround sound (and probably do a better job of it) in addition to enough speaker outputs to have true surround sound. Simulated surround isn't for everyone, and can be turned off.
Worth mentioning is the Sennheiser GSX 1000, which got a great review from HardwareCanucks, especially the simulated surround sound. Very expensive though.
TL;DR
It's a type of USB Soundcard, the Razer one has the wires fixed in. Only some of them are boxes with volume controls on them, so shop around.
This system is a set of computer speakers.
You will need a USB soundcard to get this to work.
For example:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Sound-Card-Xonar-U5/dp/B00MI8IDRE/ref=pd_sim_147_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41y7FcI5BML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0CA6VW02PA6PBVC0TVED
Asus Xonar U5: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00MI8IDRE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499551731&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=asus+xonar+u5&dpPl=1&dpID=415czWFsIkL&ref=plSrch
Asus Xonar U7: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00CP53ML2/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499551731&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=asus+xonar+u5&dpPl=1&dpID=414hGNCNO-L&ref=plSrch
I have the U7 and love it. 馃榾
One thing you can do is connect a wire to one of your case screws and the other end to a ground such as a pipe. If the noise disappears when you unplug the monitor from the PC try grounding it also. Always a chance your socket isnt grounded correctly also. Unfortunately case noise from onboard audio is just a thing. I bought an external USB sound device to eliminate it, but then just went HDMI for audio out. I dont do anything but game as far as audio IN these days so I havent even reinstalled the drivers for the external sound card.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI8IDRE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 this is the one I bought; posted only for reference. I'd research before you go this route.
Basically it isolates the audio from the case where the noise is most likely being picked up. Do the normal bs too. Change out cables, check a different mic and audio source, and all that jazz just to say you did.
Again, hopefully if I am sending you in the wrong direction someone in the know will speak up to tell me I'm an idiot and give you better advice. This is just what I know from trying to get rid of case noise that was driving me insane.
Definitely makes sense. I also found it a tad weird how I couldn't just use an external sound card.
Since you seem to know what you're talking about I have a question. Now I'm not gonna buy this, as it's too much for what I need, but could something like the Asus Xonar U5 work?
It's just that I have a hard time shaking the idea that there must be something off when using two devices (speakers + sound card) that both contain an amp. I mean you are essentially amping up the volume through 2 devices then.