Does sound cards improve speaker sound?

[vieri_best]

Hi I’m using a Logitech z906, and using on board sound card, was considering getting a sound blaster x G6, will it improve the sound quality ?

 

[Rashkae]

Maaaaaybe. What's your motherboard? Are you using analog connectors or optical?

 

[alamakazim]

What is sound quality to TS?

What improvement do you want?

By specification... Surely is better

 

[vieri_best]

I’m using optical now, but can always switch to analogue, er I mean improvement of sound clarity, I’m using a really old mb which is a gigabyte p55A-ud30

 

[Nelia8686]

Most likely you will not hear any difference. Maybe the "extra software sound enhancing options might make it sound different i.e more bass or more clearer sound but it might make it sound abit unnatural so I usually recommend not to use those. So in other words no point buying it. The software sound enhancing options I mention are "creative crystallizer" creative bass boost under the SBX Pro Studio option.

Have to see what dac is your motherboard using also.
Most motherboard onboard dac is using the realtek alc 887 898 etc. The higher end ones are using alc 1000 series and those are really good and have good signal to noise ratio and can sound as good as external expensive sound cards.

Some more expensive premium motherboard onboard dac is even using those really good creative dac amp so those are already very good sound cards already.

Just saw your latest post. Your motherboard has
Audio
Realtek ALC889 codec
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for Dolby® Home Theater
Support for S/PDIF In/Out
Support for CD In


In other words good enough. No need for sound card. Probably will not hear any difference. You are probably better spending your money buying a better speaker.

 

[vieri_best]

Ah my mobo is using ALC 889, was thinking its really old and might have a significant difference to a current gem sound card , but maybe u’re right I might not be able to hear the difference anyway hmm..

 

[Nelia8686]

Cheaper sound card that range from $50 - $100 will not make any difference from your alc 889. Those $200 over sound cards might be better then your alc 889 but will be very hard to hear any difference. The difference might be there but it's very hard for your ear to hear any difference. Would rather save that $200 - $500 and buy a better speaker or upgrade your current speaker. Maybe an expensive bookshelf speaker?

 

[Illusionist_85]

 

[Hafi]

z906 at stock setting won't produce good sounding especially tighter bass.

 

[86technie]

What OS are you using?
If Windows 10 as the mainboard doesn't officially support it,
components like audio and etc.
May have limitation due to the driver used.
No need to reformat, if you have a spare HDD or SSD you
can install Win 7 see whether is there any difference or not.

Even though soundcard may improve sound but it won't be noticeable.
Alternative is try the three 3.5 mm input jack.

 

[iduncheckmail]

Unless you audiophile with Super hearing ; you won’t be able to tell the diff.
Generally better off to spend $$$ to upgrade speakers than soundcard.

 

[Tan Gee Ming]

personally i feel that it does. i am using creative sound card and t40 speakers.

 

[Phen8210]

will sound different.. improve or not is subjective.

 

[Rashkae]

Also note that if your source is low quality, there's only so much "magic" a sound card can do

 

[wwenze]

Also note that if your speakers are low quality, there's only so much "magic" a sound card can do

 

[kingsen]

Using the old sound blaster Zx card, paired with Swan M50w with upgraded belden cables.
To me it's a big difference between onboard sound and sound card. I'm not really an audiophile that uses external dac etc but I can feel the vast difference.

Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note 8 using GAGT

 

[tigerwoods]

Hi I’m using a Logitech z906, and using , was considering getting a sound blaster x G6, will it improve the sound quality ?

You have good speakers, a good soundcard will definitely improve the sound quality if you have lousy on board sound card.

 

[Phen8210]

The only reason to purchase a seperate source is that

- You require a neutral source that does not alter with the sound or vice versa for production etc.

- Your audio equipment requires more power and connectivity ports from another source in order to properly operate.

- You require more powerful audio processing.

A better source could give you better fidelity, but these days the source out of phones and pc is already pretty good compared to the past.. u will be paying a lot for very little.

People claim that it makes their audio sound better yet in blind test they fail..

Don't be the next idiot.. sound is a highly subjective matter.. one man's meat is another man's poison.

Also .. it's 2019 already.. there are better sources than a sound card.

 

[长眉师父空海]

Hi I’m using a Logitech z906, and using on board sound card, was considering getting a sound blaster x G6, will it improve the sound quality ?

TS sibei funny.
Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
THX, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Certified sound
SGD600 Speakers Setup but using Onboard Sound Card.

Therefore you should get a DAC/AMP Combo that supports the above.

You should get
Sound Blaster AE-9
for the 5.1

G6 is for 2.0 Stereo and Headset.

 

[Hafi]

TS sibei funny.
SGD600 Speakers Setup but using Onboard Sound Card.

THX, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Certified sound
Therefore you should get a DAC/AMP Combo that supports the above.

You should get
Sound Blaster X7

G6 is for 2.0 Stereo and Headset.

erm... z906 only cost $300+.