ASUS Xonar U3

Zitat: + Deutlich besserer Klang als Onboardsound - Wenig Ausstattung - Unvorteilhafte Abmessungen

Zitat: It really is quite impressive what the small stature of the ASUS Xonar U3 is able to pull off. The size was quite misleading, but after you plug it in and slip on your favorite headphones you´ll see what all the fuss is about. It offers quite a lineup of features, even catering to a casual gamer if you want to take it that far. ASUS didn´t just slap a chip on a USB PCB and call it good either, they included a pretty impressive little amplifier as well, one that proved quite capable. On the Crystal Castles "Air War" track it really impressed me that with lacking any sizable power cap, that it was able to swing between frequencies as effortlessly as it could. Bass was not too much trouble, providing ample thump to even sizable cans at default EQ settings. Clarity was also impressive, considering the whole package is not much larger than the area your onboard audio codec takes up. Sure, the Dolby virtual offerings may not be up to everyone´s tastes, and that´s understandable. I don´t see myself ever using them, but they are there if I ever did find a situation where it worked nicely. Alternatively, it can function as a simple USB S/PDIF Digital Audio device, which it includes TOSLink adapter as well. Currently the Xonar U3 can be found for around $40 online and with free shipping at most places. It´s intention isn´t to bring audiophile quality to your laptop, ASUS has the Xonar Essence One for that, but you seriously won´t be disappointed by what you will get! (Oh and BTW, I was listening to the U3 for the whole typing of this review. Which I have a Xense not too far away as well, so this can´t sound too bad now can it? )