Decent audio output, had no problem driving Sennheiser HD280 Pro or the GAME ONE (64 and 50 Ohm). As far as I can tell this sound card has as good a sound quality as a $100 FPGA DAC I borrowed from a friend. As an added bonus, this USB sound card implements a standard USB audio class interface, so it should be supported by recent versions of Windows, Android, and Linux, etc...
Works OK as a recording device with some mics, e.g. Professional Grade Lavalier Lapel Microphone Omnidirectional Mic with Easy Clip On System Perfect for Recording Youtube / Interview / Video Conference / Podcast / Voice Dictation / iPhone. Unfortunately, it seems that this sound card's mic input amplification is too low for other mics, e.g. the mic on Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset - Black. With the GAME ONE, the mic input is either too low (Windows Levels setting low) or distorted (Windows Levels setting high). This is supported by two observations:
1. The GAME ONE has a much higher DC resistance (~6000 Ohms) compared to the clip-on mic (~600 Ohms).
2. The manufacturer was nice enough to send a replacement after my initial review; however, the replacement has the same problem. This means the problem is unlikely to be a quality issue, but rather a design oversight.
3. The GAME ONE mic works fine on everything else I tested it on, including a smartphone, laptop, and a no-name USB sound card I purchase a long time ago.
I increased my original rating from 3 to 4 stars since this device has most of the functionality advertised, and will likely work OK for most users. However, I cannot leave a 5-star review, since the mic amplification problem is definitely a defect, and the manufacturer should work to fix it.
Edit: I was able to make the sound card work with circuit modifications. See the photo for instructions.
It seems this sound card uses too high a bias resistor on the mic that cuts off current to the microphone's built-in FET, causing gain drops and distortions (electronics.stackexchange/76696).
Indeed, the cheap USB sound card I have that works with GAME ONE uses the C-Media CM108 IC, whose reference circuit recommends a 1.2kΩ resistor in place of the circled resistor on the photo. This sound card uses a 8.8kΩ resistor, which is way to high according to the equations in TIDU765.
It is understandable that one would want to increase the bias resistor value, as TIDU765 indicates that a higher bias resistor value reduces the noise gain (less noise). Unfortunately in this case, the bias resistor value is too high, causing compatibility problems.
Manufacturer: try to reduce the resistance of the circled resistor on my photo in your design. 3.9kΩ seems to work fine for me, but you really should try to test a wider variety of mics and maximize compatibility with a minimal increase in noise.
Works great! I use this for my ModMic 5. My on-board Mic-Input had horrible background noise which is surprising because it's Asus's X299 flagship, the Rampage XI Extreme **sigh**. Anyway, this was a perfect solution being that I use an external DAC/amp for the my headphones. I used some double sided adhesive and set the unit right next to my DAC using a USB extension. I love it! Had an integrated mute and volume button. Sounds amazing! As other users have stated the input is only Mono which is fine for a mic but not ok for other audio inputs.
I have a PS4 in which I like to use controllers without having to plug in the mic on the bottom of the controller. It adds unnecessary weight and messes with my aim. This worked perfectly as a medium for a plug-n-play mic adaptor.
I had to buy an extension cord with a low profile USB male plug because the USB end on this device is a hair too wide and prevents it from being plugged in completely.
A few unintentional Pros of this is that when the controller starts to die the audio will kick on and off on the controller's 3.5mm jack. This bypasses that and if your controller dies outright, you will retain audio and voice through the transition.
Highly recommend it for the price.
Works with my nintendo switch! I have it plugged in to one of the usb 2.0 ports on the front of the dock. Now when I long press the home key it says usb audio instead of headphones. I have it plugged into my mackie cr4 bookshelf monitors. I haven't tried the microphone or headset ports but I imagine they would work since people have been able to use usb headsets (wired or wireless). This eliminates the inconvenience of plugging and unplugging into the headphone port when you transition from portable to docked.
Been using my ASUS Z170I Pro Gaming based rig for gaming for a few years now...supposedly the on-board "SupremeFX" audio chip is noise isolated and "flawless", but in fact, it had horrible hissing & noise coming through to my headphones.
This "Bengoo" USB card has a Universal 3.5mm Headset Audio Jack ontop of the regular mic & audio 3.5mm jacks, and that allows me to use my in-ear headsets. If you back the amplification a tad from 100%, the audio quality you receive - even at 100% audio levels on the Window's mixer - is very clear - clearly superior to the on-board Audio my Asus board had and comparable to a SoundBlaster E5 DAC that I had and decided to just stop working after less than two years of ownership.
I have the Bengoo plugged into my monitor's USB hub for easy access and I had zero issues setting it up for Discord & Teamspeak.
People on the other end like the mic quality. Overall I believe it was a pretty good buy.
Feature Product
- 【WIDE APPLICATIONS】Designed for 3.5mm jack devices like headphones, headset or microphones that stop working or have issues with output cutting in and out. USB headset adapter is also suitable for sound card in the computer/laptop/desktop that dying or losing connection with motherboard. You can also use mic and headphone together on iMac/Mac Mini devices with our product.
- 【LOUDER PREVIOUS-SOUND】Louder the sound that computer cannot do by itself, create surround sound effect which will bring you fantastic feelings. USB audio adapter supports normal stereo, earphone, headphone, headset or microphone with 3.5mm jack, Raspberry Pi 2/3 Xbox PS4 Surface Tablet Laptop, especially for gaming headsets.
- 【NO DRIVERS】USB sound card is easy to use, no extra drivers is needed. Plug and play for instant audio playback. Microphone/Headphone mute design makes the headset and speaker mode switch freely without unplugging anything from the computer. Output audio sound can be adjusted by the volume adjustment wheel.
- 【Mixer FUNCTION】Mixer Function can adjust the output electronically level. Functional keys including microphone-mute, speaker-mute and volume-up/down roller. The mini LED indicator and surround sound can improve the level of gaming audio. Two headset jacks with one microphone jack can satisfy all your needs for an usb external sound card adapter.
- 【OPERATIING SYSTEM】The External USB 2.0 Sound Card Adapter can work with all major operation systems like Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP/ Server 2003/ Vista/Windows 7, Linux, Mac OS, etc. Lightweight and portable size makes it convenient to take everywhere.
Description
Acoustic Feast arrives with the BENGOO External Sound Card Adapter.
【Specifications:】
1. Product Dimension: 7.9 x1.34 x 0.51in (LxWxH)
2. Package Weight: 51g / 1.8oz
3. Required system including, Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP/ Server 2003/ 7/ 8/ 8.1/ Vista, Windows 10, Linux, Mac OS etc
4. Work with PS4.
【When use the external usb sound card adapter?】
(1). The built-in sound card adapter damaged or malfunction, replace it with BENGOO brand external audio sound card adapter. It will work and lift your experience when listen to music, watch movies or play games.
(2). 3.5mm headphone or microphone interface of your device stopped working or there is no headphone or microphone interface with your devices. Then the product will take effect.
(3). Have an external sound card adapter when you need to connect more than one microphone, headphone with PC. If you require high quality audio sound, try this product.
【FQA】
【Q: Microphone no sound, can not chat with others】
A: Steps to set below.
(1) Double click the volume icon (mini speaker) which is on the bottom right of your computer.
(2) Select "option"---"properties" and tick "microphone" in the pop-up main volume dialog window.
(3) Click "microphone strengthen" if you want the microphone volume back to "high ranking".
【Q: Plug in the USB-AUDIO and I don't hear anything, what else can I do? 】
A: After plugging in the USB-AUDIO, also ensure the audio adapter is set to be your primary playback- and recording device in your control panel or system preferences.
【Q: Why doesn’t my microphone seem to work or record? 】
A: The product can work with TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve) jack but can’t work with Mono or TS (Tip Sleeve) jack.
【Package Contains:】
•1 x USB Sound Card Adapter
•1 x Instruction Manual
I had a graphics card with terrible coil whine that would go through the headphone jack, so I got this to get around that. I no longer have to listen to my card screaming at me, and the controls on this are nice as well.
The only thing I don't particularly like is how wishy washy the volume seems to be. Before this, I could leave my computer at 30% volume and everything would sound like it was played at the same loudness. With this adapter, I have to constantly move the volume around from 20% to 100% for things to sound normal. It's not terribly inconvenient, and it's better than hearing screaming, but it's keeping me from giving it 5 stars.
I bought this sound card to use with a studio mic but decided to bypass this sound card and use PC sound card. I did use it one time since, so this will be part of a back up plan should the sound card go out in my desk top PC. The time that I’ve used this, it has functioned well. All led lights worked (indicating volume or loudness) and volume control knob functioned as well. It is very basic in setting up and using, plug and play, and allows usage of a mic, headphones and a gaming headset. This sound card plugs into a USB port and there’s not much of a usb cable to it, so if it is used on a PC, like I did, it may have to hang down the side of the pc tower or screen as was the case with my set up. This sound card is really designed to be used with a laptop, but can be used with either. In review, I’m not sorry that I purchased this sound card because when I did use it, it worked well and while I’m not using it presently, I’m sure I’ll use it sometime in the future
Audio was decent quality, no better than a decent motherboards integrated sound board however. Also, microphone line was HORRIBLE. Not usable at all with microphone.
UPDATE: The seller was happy to send a new card to me for no extra charge or return, they claimed to have tested the product to check for quality before the new one was sent out (maybe something they should do no matter what). The new one worked fine, little better quality than internal sound card but nothing special. This would work best for someone who's audio solution is old/broken/or just bad. Its quick, easy, and a cheap solution. Still giving 3/5 stars for the problem stated above. Although product is worth the $10 i paid.
This item has been quite good so far. Windows 10 x64 needed no drivers to detect and utilize the device. The integrated volume control allows me to find the sweet spot between the OS's volume setting and the output to my headphones so there is no detectable noise. Maximum loudness is quite loud but not uncomfortable, I find myself setting the device and the computer to about 90% of their maximums for a comfortable immersion. I have performed no formal testing, but it seems to provide fairly flat frequency response across my range of hearing. If you like things extremely loud, you may be less pleased than I. Combined with Dolby Atmos (provided by the OS) and decent 50mm headphones, the experience for the price is an excellent value for casual gaming, video, and music. Being able to connect a separate mic or use the newer combined 3-channel tip/sleeve headphone connectors was a primary factor in my purchase. The item is plastic, but doesn't feel like it will break in my laptop bag.
This sound card does what it says, turns a USB port into a headphone and mic jack. I originally ordered this item as I thought I had lost my adapter that came with my G430 headphones. However I was able to find the adapter the same day this adapter arrived.
The pros of this device is that for standard 2 channel stereo the headphone jack works very well. Having the ability to manage the volume at the adapter is a huge plus. I haven't tested the mic as I don't normally use it. However when I used the adapter that came with the G430 it opened up the multi Channel stereo capability of the headphones.
I decided to keep this adapter in case I had a need for something like this later on, and for the price it's not a total loss.
Bottom line is if you absolutely need a sound card for whatever reason then this device is worth it. If you're looking to replicate an adapter that would do multi Channel sound, then this isn't the adapter for you.
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