Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Technical Details
- Marketing description is not available.
- Marketing description is not available
- USB Audio Device Class Specification 10
- USB HID Class Specification 11
- LED indicators: Microphone-Mute Status, Activity
- Compliant with USB 20 Full Speed
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
USB Stereo Audio Adapter, C-Media Chipset, RoHS
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
221 of 226 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the platonic form of a USB sound card. It works well in Windows XP and Mac OS X, has clearly labeled inputs, decent build quality, and has no unnecessary features, at a very affordable price. We bought it to use stereo jack headsets with Skype on Mac computers that don't have microphone jacks, and this adapter fits our needs exactly. This also resolves a problem we have when using Windows XP on our iMacs - Apple doesn't provide the correct sound drivers in Boot Camp, and the built-in iMac headphone jack doesn't work in Windows - the USB adapter works perfectly.
In Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (tested in both) the device is identified as a "C-Media USB Audio Device". Installation was plug-and-play, the device was immediately recognized after plugging in, although I had to manually select it as the input/output device in the Sound preference pane. After selecting it and setting the input levels, OS X and Skype both automatically switched back and forth between Built-in Audio and C-Media USB when it was plugged/unplugged, and remembered the input levels last used on each (although not the systemwide output levels).
A sticker on the outside of the box identifies the chipset as the C-Media CM119, and it is a USB 2.0 device.
Physically, the construction seems plenty robust for a $10 device. The mic and headphone jacks are color coded in standard pink and green, and have large white icon labels that are easily identified. The case is darkly translucent black, and a green LED inside blinks when sound is being transmitted or received, and otherwise glows steady when plugged in but not in active use. It is too thick to plug into the USB ports on the edges of the 2007-2009 silver aluminum iMac keyboards. On our aluminum iMacs it has to be plugged into the back, where it doesn't block any other ports (as long as other connected USB devices are not also thick). However, it can easily be connected to the USB ports next to the cord on the rear of the older white Mac keyboards from 2003-2007.
Drawbacks?
The microphone input is mono, which is fine for voice headsets, but probably not great for pro audio recording, which probably wouldn't be done with a $10 device anyway. I could do without the blinking light, but as it will be out of sight when connected behind my iMac, it's not a big deal.
Comparison
We also bought the cousin to this product, the 7.1 Channel USB External Sound Card Audio Adapter with external volume control buttons. The 7.1 version uses the same CM119 chipset, but was inferior to this Syba model in all respects.
- The 7.1 model has a thicker body, making it more likely to block other USB ports.
- The buttons on the 7.1 feel very flimsy, and are mostly useless as they only change the computer's software volume settings.
- The 7.1 inputs are not correctly color coded (yellow and black) and the icon labels are tiny and hard to distinguish.
- The 7.1 is identified by OS X as "Unknown USB Audio device"
- The particular 7.1 unit we received was assembled with its USB port slightly angled off-center.
The only supposed improvements in the 7.1 version are the flaky exterior buttons and that it comes with a mini-CD of Xear "virtual surround sound" software for Windows only. Surely you could use some other "3D sound simulation software" with this Syba unit, and there are several reports of the buttons/housing breaking on the 7.1 version. I strongly recommend avoiding the 7.1 model at all costs, this one is simpler and sturdier.
In Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 (tested in both) the device is identified as a "C-Media USB Audio Device". Installation was plug-and-play, the device was immediately recognized after plugging in, although I had to manually select it as the input/output device in the Sound preference pane. After selecting it and setting the input levels, OS X and Skype both automatically switched back and forth between Built-in Audio and C-Media USB when it was plugged/unplugged, and remembered the input levels last used on each (although not the systemwide output levels).
A sticker on the outside of the box identifies the chipset as the C-Media CM119, and it is a USB 2.0 device.
Physically, the construction seems plenty robust for a $10 device. The mic and headphone jacks are color coded in standard pink and green, and have large white icon labels that are easily identified. The case is darkly translucent black, and a green LED inside blinks when sound is being transmitted or received, and otherwise glows steady when plugged in but not in active use. It is too thick to plug into the USB ports on the edges of the 2007-2009 silver aluminum iMac keyboards. On our aluminum iMacs it has to be plugged into the back, where it doesn't block any other ports (as long as other connected USB devices are not also thick). However, it can easily be connected to the USB ports next to the cord on the rear of the older white Mac keyboards from 2003-2007.
Drawbacks?
The microphone input is mono, which is fine for voice headsets, but probably not great for pro audio recording, which probably wouldn't be done with a $10 device anyway. I could do without the blinking light, but as it will be out of sight when connected behind my iMac, it's not a big deal.
Comparison
We also bought the cousin to this product, the 7.1 Channel USB External Sound Card Audio Adapter with external volume control buttons. The 7.1 version uses the same CM119 chipset, but was inferior to this Syba model in all respects.
- The 7.1 model has a thicker body, making it more likely to block other USB ports.
- The buttons on the 7.1 feel very flimsy, and are mostly useless as they only change the computer's software volume settings.
- The 7.1 inputs are not correctly color coded (yellow and black) and the icon labels are tiny and hard to distinguish.
- The 7.1 is identified by OS X as "Unknown USB Audio device"
- The particular 7.1 unit we received was assembled with its USB port slightly angled off-center.
The only supposed improvements in the 7.1 version are the flaky exterior buttons and that it comes with a mini-CD of Xear "virtual surround sound" software for Windows only. Surely you could use some other "3D sound simulation software" with this Syba unit, and there are several reports of the buttons/housing breaking on the 7.1 version. I strongly recommend avoiding the 7.1 model at all costs, this one is simpler and sturdier.
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
If you need a basic stereo speaker output and a mic input, this will probably suit your needs well.
-Pros:
It's inexpensive, and it works as described.
Installation couldn't be easier - just plug it in, and a driver is set up automatically. It works equally well with Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux. I have used the 64-bit versions of each on my PC, and each recognized and set up this device when I plugged it in, without any extra effort on my part.
This device is also thin enough that it doesn't block USB ports that are above or below, unless they're using a thick USB plug. However, it could block USB ports to the sides.
-Cons:
The audio output has a little bit if distortion, at least in my experience with it in Windows Vista 64-bit. Fortunately, at least in Windows Vista, you can use a different audio device for audio output.
Also, the microphone input is mono. For musicians, this wouldn't be suitable for making stereo recordings.
-Other Thoughts:
I bought this to use primarily as a microphone input, since the microphone input on my new PC does not work well. The microphone input on this device works very well. The microphone signal is loud and clear with no noise.
-Pros:
It's inexpensive, and it works as described.
Installation couldn't be easier - just plug it in, and a driver is set up automatically. It works equally well with Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux. I have used the 64-bit versions of each on my PC, and each recognized and set up this device when I plugged it in, without any extra effort on my part.
This device is also thin enough that it doesn't block USB ports that are above or below, unless they're using a thick USB plug. However, it could block USB ports to the sides.
-Cons:
The audio output has a little bit if distortion, at least in my experience with it in Windows Vista 64-bit. Fortunately, at least in Windows Vista, you can use a different audio device for audio output.
Also, the microphone input is mono. For musicians, this wouldn't be suitable for making stereo recordings.
-Other Thoughts:
I bought this to use primarily as a microphone input, since the microphone input on my new PC does not work well. The microphone input on this device works very well. The microphone signal is loud and clear with no noise.
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
I had initially thought that this USB card was an incredible bargain. After more use and a comparative test, I started to believe that it is just an OK product.
The biggest attractions of this are its compact size, solid build, reliability, simplicity, clear markings (with the right colors), absolutely no installation requirement (on Windows 7), and low price.
However, I discovered some shortcomings of this product which may or may not matter, depending on your use.
First, the noise level isn't the best. It is very usable, but not as good as a decent built-in sound card. At least a laptop (Lenovo X200 tablet) I recently tested has noticeably cleaner builtin sound than this USB card.
Second, the microphone input of this USB Sound card is not powered. Most USB sound cards are insufficiently powered, but I suspect this one is particularly bad. This means that the sound card may not work with many condenser microphones that require power. I just tested with several microphones including an Audio Technica AT9842 lapel microphone, which works perfectly with the built in PCI soundcard of my desktop computer, but absolutely not with this USB Sound card. For your information, this microphone does not even require a very high voltage for power (I think it requires less than 5V). So you can forget about it if you want use some of the professional microphones that may require a phantom power much higher than 5V.)
All in all, for very simple use, this is a very good choice thanks to the several advantages mentioned above. But if you are going to use it for more advanced functions, you may find this sound card lacking.
The biggest attractions of this are its compact size, solid build, reliability, simplicity, clear markings (with the right colors), absolutely no installation requirement (on Windows 7), and low price.
However, I discovered some shortcomings of this product which may or may not matter, depending on your use.
First, the noise level isn't the best. It is very usable, but not as good as a decent built-in sound card. At least a laptop (Lenovo X200 tablet) I recently tested has noticeably cleaner builtin sound than this USB card.
Second, the microphone input of this USB Sound card is not powered. Most USB sound cards are insufficiently powered, but I suspect this one is particularly bad. This means that the sound card may not work with many condenser microphones that require power. I just tested with several microphones including an Audio Technica AT9842 lapel microphone, which works perfectly with the built in PCI soundcard of my desktop computer, but absolutely not with this USB Sound card. For your information, this microphone does not even require a very high voltage for power (I think it requires less than 5V). So you can forget about it if you want use some of the professional microphones that may require a phantom power much higher than 5V.)
All in all, for very simple use, this is a very good choice thanks to the several advantages mentioned above. But if you are going to use it for more advanced functions, you may find this sound card lacking.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Works well and the price is right.
I bought this because my on-board microphone jack started adding a hiss to my voice. I plugged this in and plugged the mic into this instead, and the sound was crystal clear. Read more
Published 1 day ago by James Ramsey
Not Recommended
This adapter has a green light inside that flashes constantly no matter what function is being performed. It is distracting and it will not turn off. Read more
Published 1 day ago by S. Sestak
Cheap but effective
Product exactly as ordered. Product exactly as advertised and is a cheap but effective device. Works fine and sound is good.
Published 1 day ago by ikey
works perfect
i use for dj parties. as my main output. It works perfect so far no issues. Small compact durable. Fully plug and play.
Published 3 days ago by Borisk
Lived up to every expectation
Nice price. Fast service. This little item lived up to all my expectations. I got new (Dragon) dictation software that came with headphones that had a built-in microphone that... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Don
Works Fine Except One Glitch
The Syba USB adapter works fine on an HP & Gateway laptop plus a Dell desktop computer. Both Windows-7 and XP required no driver installation. Read more
Published 4 days ago by M. Maney
Works perfectly
After reading all the steps you need to do when installing a usb sound card, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all I had to do was plug it in and use it. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Robert T. Pittman Jr.
It lasted two months...
The headphone jack on my laptop no longer works so the obvious and easiest fix was to buy a USB to audio adapter. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Ken
Small, sturdy, good quality sound.
Pros: It's small, sturdy, and generic enough that it works with anything: Windows 7, Mac OS, Linux. No problems, good quality sound. An excellent little device. Read more
Published 21 days ago by K. Finity
Works as described
Arrived on time, easy setup, This product works in Mac as well as in windows, reasonable quality and price, will recommend it for others.
Published 22 days ago by GK
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Search Customer Discussions
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
Look for Similar Items by Category
|
