The sound with the appropriate boxes (Klipsch Promedia 2.1) is very good, clear and strong. We recommend. Of course, the price of a "normal" soundcard is high, but compared to similar cards sound performance within the normal range. What bothers me is that, after the computer is in standby mode was and was awakened again, the sound is gone. (By now current driver V1.17, date 19/06/2014). According to information from the ESI support the standby mode is not currently supported. In times of high energy prices and saving the current effort, I think it's not up to date.