AIT Consulting LLC
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
I read a lot of comments for this device. It does work as expected, and really well, better than my motherboards spdif because of the 5.1 channel output with dolby digital. Do NOT install the software this comes with from the CD, it is the wrong driver! Also the driver doesn't auto install, it uses some generic driver for USB audio. To get the full potential of this device you must download CM6206 LX driver. I found this driver from Softpedia. The CD comes with the non-LX driver that doesn't work properly. I would have gave this 5 stars if it did. I went to device manager in windows and found the USB sound device under the Sound, video and game controllers. I right clicked it from here then went to properties and then drivers and update drivers. The zip file I got from softpedia I extracted to a folder and this is the folder I have selected for the driver. It should say C-MEDIA ELECTRONICS INC. as the digital signer. Important note is that I didn't run the software installation setup this zip file came with due to potential compatibility issues with windows 11, since the software was made for windows 8. Hope someone finds this helpful!
Mojo Joe
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
Tiny little box. Very inexpensive. But considering I had no place to install my Asus 5.1 surround sound card in my AIO HP computer since my gaming rig crapped the bed, I was left with no real choices.Based on other reviews here, I took a chance on this. To be honest, the instructions could have been a little clearer. (Or present, I guess; it only came with a mini-CD that only had the drivers & utility program).But fortunately, I'm sharp enough to figure it out. And I did. And now my AIO is giving me similar sound quality to my much more expensive 5.1 sound card.For the price, just buy it if you find yourself in a situation like mine. You won't regret it. It's tiny, sits behind my machine, and I don't even see it if I'm not looking for it. But it delivers perfectly acceptable 5.1 sound out of all 5 speakers and bass.
C. C. Jones
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2022
My use case: I have a KVM to share all of my inputs and outputs between my home desktop computer and my work computer's Thunderbolt dock. Unfortunately my gaming desktop's sound system is a multiple 3.5mm 5.1 setup, which even if the KVM accommodated audio at all (which it doesn't, apart from via DisplayPort), KVMs that do share sound usually have just one 3.5mm jack.This external sound card was the right solution. It has inputs for exactly what I need plus additional possibilities that I don't have but someone else might. On Windows 10 and 11 at least, just plugging it into a USB port immediately makes it into either THE audio output or a selectable option with no driver installation necessary. That was critical because the work computer is completely locked down and won't allow installation of drivers or other software. I just needed to see that this is the default audio device, and from then on, it's all good to go. When I dock the laptop, Windows 11 sees the docking arrangement and automatically reconfigures everything to default to it while on the dock. Both computers see it as the full 5.1 setup that I have and it works exactly that way. Sound quality seems at least as good as the on-board Realtek audio that my desktop computer has, though my 52 year old ears are much less sharp than my 25 year old ears were and I'm less apt to notice subtle sound quality differences, plus my 10 year old mid-level Logitech speaker setup never was audiophile quality. I'd guess if you have higher end speakers and are used to a high quality dedicated add-on sound card, this will probably not be an equivalent. For the rest of us, it works great.The price was very good for what I got, especially considering how few of this kind of device showed up when I was looking. There were lots of them for regular 2 channel sound but were quite scarce for more complex inputs. I've had it for a few months now and it's still working flawlessly. As an alternative to using a second switchbox just for the audio, I enjoy the ability to have this as just another item on the USB that is handled by the KVM and a single KVM button switching everything from one system to the other. I do recommend this if your needs are similar to mine.
Azucena
Reviewed in Mexico on April 1, 2022
Asta el momento para hacer grabaciones o escuchas cosas básicas en una laptop está baste funsionable nomás su detalle es que el cable USB que trai tiene juego así con tantito que se mueva se desactiva todo pero no e sufrido con más acuanto drivers bien en cd y pues mi laptop no tiene para leer cds pero el Windows me histalo los drivers automático y trabajo bien ( ojo uso win10 pro )
Jorge Garcia Tolentino
Reviewed in Mexico on May 3, 2021
Excelente tarjeta de sonido, me permitió utilizar al 100% mis bocinas Logitech de 7.1
Clifton Oyarzo
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2020
When it does work, it works well for all the ports included. Line in was the one I utilized most for streaming with a sound mixer, and sound was great going across Facebook Live.Two gripes:1. The use of the old mini-USB was not the best idea. The plug felt loose and finding these on Amazon is simple, sure, but in an emergency, finding these at your local electronics stores isn't easy, if not impossible. Micro-USB would have been a better choice because we all have at least 65 of these damn patch cords in our cars alone! Android users know what I'm speaking of ;)2. Having to disconnect and reconnect once, twice, thrice to get it to recognize was disappointing. Sometimes I got lucky with "first try", but that was only two times in 4 weeks that I've had it. I stream 5 days a week.If you're patient, the inexpensive cost is a go for this one. If you're not, stay away because you'll be throwing this against the wall in 5 minutes.The best of luck for those brave enough to try this.
Gary
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2020
The quick setup and sound clarity made my old speakers new again. Connected this to an Android box with the optical option, which picked it up right away in the sound settings and I started listening to crisp and clear sounds right away. I did have to install a small/free volume control app to be able to turn down the sound.
Jesse
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2020
windows 10 said that the device was working i could never get sound. wasted 2 hours installing drivers off the mini disk that came with product, searching google for new drivers, trying different usb ports on my comp, using deferent ports on the device and trying different sets of headphones and speakers. finding anything out about the unit is difficult, there are NO markings or brands anywhere on it. best I could tell it came from a company called Cmedia. there's not even a power light to indicate the unit is on.it is cheap Wish DOT com garbage and im sending it back.
Customer
Reviewed in Canada on January 20, 2020
Many new PCs no longer have multichannel built-in sound adapters. This external adapter is perfect if you need a connection with analog stereo input / output.
deleted user
Reviewed in India on June 17, 2019
DONT BUY STOPPED WORKING AFTER 2 MONTHS