Question Can someone recommend me a PCI-E X16 Desktop PC Soundcard to connect to my latest Bose Soundbar using a HDMI eARC cable? Supporting Dolby Atmos Sound

[SeriousGaming101]

This is the SoundBar: https://www.bose.com/p/home-theater/bose-smart-ultra-soundbar/SUSB-SOUNDBAR.html

My motherboard has 4 x PCI-E X16 slots so I plan to add the soundcard you recommend to those slots. I am running Windows 11.

I want to buy a Sound Card to add to my PC that has ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Supports/Installable on Desktop PC motherboard's PCI-E X16 slot.
2. Soundcard has a slot option for HDMI eARC cable. (Not regular HDMI or regular ARC)
3. Supports specifically "Dolby Atmos". (Not Dolby Digital)

Please recommend me the best/latest products on the market with all these features. Thanks.

 

[COLGeek]

You are not likely to find an x16 device. Keep in mind, x16 PCIe slots can accommodate "smaller" PCIe devices, all the way down to x1 (most sound cards are x1 devices).

What is your budget for a sound card? What is the make/model of your motherboard (to understand what your on-board audio supports...or not)?

 

[SeriousGaming101]

You are not likely to find an x16 device. Keep in mind, x16 PCIe slots can accommodate "smaller" PCIe devices, all the way down to x1.

What is your budget for a sound card? What is the make/model of your motherboard (to understand what your on-board audio supports...or not)?

No budget but I would appreciate some options if you know some soundcards that are like only around $100 versus $300+.

My motherboard is a Z390 Godlike: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/meg-z390-godlike/Specification

 

[COLGeek]

I see zero commercially available sound cards supporting HDMI eARC. Also, nearly all internal sound cards are x1 devices.

 

[SeriousGaming101]

I see zero commercially available sound cards supporting HDMI eARC. Also, nearly all internal sound cards are x1 devices.

But you said earlier that my motherboard CAN use the x1 devices soundcard. Can you recommend me a SoundCard that you can find that is the CLOSEST to the specs I asked for?

 

[COLGeek]

But you said earlier that my motherboard CAN use the x1 devices soundcard. Can you recommend me a SoundCard that you can find that is the CLOSEST to the specs I asked for?

Yes, an x1 device will work.

Take a look here. Both the AE-9 and AE-7 offer most of the advanced audio features you mentioned.

https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster

There are other devices as well.

 

[geofelt]

I am no expert on sound and cards.
It used to be that sound processing took lots ov compute power so discrete cards were developed to off load that work.
Today, all modern motherboards have sound chips of good quality.
I think I would try onboard sound first and then decide if I wanted more.

For researching products, go to newegg and filter on sound cards.

 

[SeriousGaming101]

Yes, an x1 device will work.

Take a look here. Both the AE-9 and AE-7 offer most of the advanced audio features you mentioned.

https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster

There are other devices as well.

That Soundblaster AE-7 has NO HDMI slot at all so it won't work for me.
Also, what kind of HDMI is on that AE-9?
Lastly, what "other devices" are you referring to? Please list them.

 

[COLGeek]

That Soundblaster AE-7 has NO HDMI slot at all so it won't work for me.
Also, what kind of HDMI is on that AE-9?
Lastly, what "other devices" are you referring to? Please list them.

Once again, HDMI is going to be a challenge. The AE-9 has an ACM port (not HDMI). The other devices refers to the other models on the Sound Blaster site.

I recommend you consider using the optical port to connect to the sound bar. You can do this with your existing motherboard audio as well (without adding a sound card).

 

[SeriousGaming101]

Once again, HDMI is going to be a challenge. The AE-9 has an ACM port (not HDMI). The other devices refers to the other models on the Sound Blaster site.

I recommend you consider using the optical port to connect to the sound bar. You can do this with your existing motherboard audio as well (without adding a sound card).

Thanks but I am already using the optical port for the soundbar. I just want to try the soundbar's Dolby Atmos to get the full experience.

Also, what do you think of a HDMI eARC converter adapter that is NOT a soundcard?

 

[COLGeek]

I was just googling a bit on your topic. I don't think you will find what you are looking for from a PC use perspective (Atmos requires HDMI) with a sound card.

If you use your GPU as a sound device (via HDMI), I suppose you could attach it directly to the sound bar. Atmos support is still unlikely (I would think).

Here is a related thread: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/pc-to-tv-to-soundbar-not-working-earc.3799020/

What do you expect to gain from Atmos?

 

[SeriousGaming101]

I just want to hear Atmos for the user experience since I paid so much money for the soundbar already.

 

[COLGeek]

Try this: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n0866fs04w8?hl=en-US&gl=US

I assume the GPU will need to be your audio source.

 

[evdjj3j]

Can you not run the GPU to the TV then run a cable from an HDMI port on the TV that supports eARC to the sound bar. That's how my TV is connected, though I'm using ARC not eARC. I thought this is how ARC/eARC is supposed to work.

https://www.whathifi.com/advice/hdmi-arc-and-hdmi-earc-everything-you-need-to-know

Seems this article agrees with me. Are you sure you're trying to use eARC correctly?:

 

[SeriousGaming101]

Can you not run the GPU to the TV then run a cable from an HDMI port on the TV that supports eARC to the sound bar. That's how my TV is connected, though I'm using ARC not eARC. I thought this is how ARC/eARC is supposed to work.

https://www.whathifi.com/advice/hdmi-arc-and-hdmi-earc-everything-you-need-to-know

Seems this article agrees with me. Are you sure you're trying to use eARC correctly?:

I am not using a TV, i am using a 4k projector which is also connected to my GPU's HDMI port currently

 

[evdjj3j]

I am not using a TV, i am using a 4k projector which is also connected to my GPU's HDMI port currently

That sounds like your problem. ARC/eARC is supposed to come from your display back to your audio device. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. Does you soundbar support video pass through, that sounds more like what you want to do.

 

[boju]

Try figure out a way to use graphics card audio. Your SB has Hdmi out, you could connect GPU to SB and use an amplified Hdmi cable to run the length to the projector. Depending where you computer is, might have to run another amplified Hdmi cable (15~20meters length might do for both?) if relocation of computer is limited.

Some other ideas, perhaps the matrix splitter he suggests might have an application to help you out.

View: https://youtu.be/BGvHuQ67N_8?si=bt28dYHzOHECIuHk