Review on Enhance Your Audio Experience with ASUS Xonar U5 Sound Card by Mitchell Watson

Looks good on paper, but it just doesn't work in practice. The headphone output at the maximum impedance setting on my 80 ohm DT770 doesn't let the headphones be loud at all, and I'm really not the type of person who listens to something "really" loud, so just imagine a moderate volume and there is your max. It is not possible to set different equalizer settings for headphones and speakers. So if you want to use the equalizer that comes with the SoundStudio software, you'll have to settle for the same settings for both headphones. and your speakers. The overall volume of my speakers (JBL LSR305) is very low, which is another annoyance. To be honest the volume is low on this device - why? My built-in audio is much louder, but when the LSR305's speakers are cranked up, I often have to turn up the volume in Windows and whatever I use (foobar, classic media player, Netflix, any game). up to 90%+ on each slider. What's up with this thing? My trip computer is literally twice as loud, so that's very disappointing. The microphone input appears to be mute, which is a plus. The volume control and switching between headphone and speaker input work great and the device takes up very little space on the desk. All in all, I wouldn't recommend this if you're looking for an all-in-one audio solution that plays well in the mids and highs. volumes. I don't know what ASUS did wrong with this device, but it's quiet. I even tried using my own equalizer (Peace + Apo Equalizer) but it only causes my headphones to block at maximum volume. It's another matter - when SoundStudio's EQ boosts some notches by +5/+6dB and others by -1/-2dB (moderate V I think), my headphones cut at moderate volume. I can plug my headphones into the onboard audio and literally double the volume without CUTTING! ASUS, what have you done with this thing? If you don't need the convenience of instant input switching and volume control, just avoid this thing.