Global Sound Cards Market - Industry Dynamics, Market Size, And Opportunity Forecast To 2030

The Sound Cards Market is experiencing robust expansion, with market size projected to increase from (3.5 Billion) 2024 to (5.1 Billion) 2030, demonstrating a consistent year-over-year growth rate of 7.13%. Sound Cards Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Types (Standard Expansion Sound Cards, Motherboard Mounted Sound Cards, External Sound Adapters), by Applications (Automotive, Multimedia, Computer or laptop, Audio Gadgets, Gaming, Others) And Regions ({regionNms}) : Industry Forecast and Opportunity Analysis for 2024 - 2030

The sound card market includes the manufacture, distribution, and sale of hardware devices that allow the computer or any electronic device to process and output sound. Basically, a sound card works on the principle of converting digital audio signals into an analog sound signal that can be outputted to either speakers or headphones. The sound card market includes a wide range of products, from PCI-e internal cards designed for high-fidelity sound in desktop PCs to external USB sound cards that are light in weight and applicable with laptops and other devices. The sound card market thrives on consumer demand for better audio experiences from gamers, audiophiles, and content creators. The sound card market is affected by innumerable factors, namely advancements in audio processing technology, the range and popularity of gaming and multimedia consumption, and a steady increase in demand for high-quality-audio in professional applications. While integrated audio solutions have certainly advanced over the years, dedicated sound cards are still targeted at users desiring an enhanced audio experience, unique features, and greater control over the audio output.

Sound Cards Report Highlights

Report Metrics	Details
Forecast period	2019-2030
Base Year Of Estimation	2024
Growth Rate	CAGR of 7.13%
Forecast Value (2030)	USD 5.1 Billion
By Product Type	Standard Expansion Sound Cards, Motherboard Mounted Sound Cards, External Sound Adapters
Key Market Players	ASUS (Taiwan) HT Omega (United States) EVGA Corporation (United States) Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) SIIG, Inc. (United States) MSI (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.) (Taiwan) Roland Corporation (Japan) Creative Technology Ltd. (Singapore) Auzentech Inc. (South Korea) PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. (United States)
By Region

Sound Cards Market Trends

External USB sound cards make up an increasingly growing market as society embraces the laptop lifestyle while demanding portability. USB devices allow for better sound quality and features than integrated sound solutions, for example, gaming, content creation, and audiophile really new and enhance user experience without any need to install internally. Another trend is the emphasis being placed on sound cards geared toward gaming; these devices are meant to provide a competitive edge through spatial audio, low latency, and customizable equalizer settings. The growth of esports and online gaming has created a demand for sound cards in which gamers value clarity and positional accuracy. Also on the rise are sound cards that integrate closely with the software to allow customization and audio processing.

Sound Cards Market Leading Players

The key players profiled in the report are SIIG, Inc. (United States), Roland Corporation (Japan), HT Omega (United States), Creative Technology Ltd. (Singapore), ASUS (Taiwan), Auzentech Inc. (South Korea), EVGA Corporation (United States), MSI (Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.) (Taiwan), Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. (Taiwan), PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. (United States)

Growth Accelerators

The demand for audio solutions with high quality is driving the sound card market in consumer and professional applications alike. Immersive audio experiences, a requirement for user engagement, find a key contributor in gaming and entertainment. Professional sound cards catered to the needs of engineers, musicians, and content creators come loaded with features such as multi-channel inputs, low latency, and high-resolution audio. The commuter-friendly and compatible environment given by their rising integration into laptops, desktops, and external USB devices has positively added to market growth. The market for sound cards is being redefined by the latest technological advancements like AI-based sound processing from the perspective of enhanced audio quality, noise cancellation, and spatialization. These are favourable for premium sound cards with powerful DSPs and AI accelerators. This competition is growing day by day between onboard audio systems and dedicated sound cards. In the regional market, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience rapid growth owing to booming demand from downstream industries. ASUS, Creative, and HT Omega are the leading competitors in this market, working on product innovations as per the varied tastes of their consumers.

Sound Cards Market Segmentation analysis

The Global Sound Cards is segmented by Type, Application, and Region.
By Type, the market is divided into Distributed Standard Expansion Sound Cards, Motherboard Mounted Sound Cards, External Sound Adapters . The Application segment categorizes the market based on its usage such as Automotive, Multimedia, Computer or laptop, Audio Gadgets, Gaming, Others. Geographically, the market is assessed across key Regions like {regionNms} and others, each presenting distinct growth opportunities and challenges influenced by the regions.

Competitive Landscape

Some of the major players in the competition of the sound card market are ASUS, Creative Technology, EVGA, and AudioQuest, among others. They concentrate on innovation by offering high-performance internal and external sound cards, which would be used by gamers, audiophiles, and professionals in production. Also, the new product innovations in the market in immersive audio technologies, the increasing demand for high-quality sound experiences, and the growth in gaming and content creation are some of the major drivers of the market. Integrated onboard audio solutions that are part of a modern motherboard, normally good enough for a general user, are combative to the sound card industry. As examples, dedicated sound cards prove useful for excellent audio and low-latency performance for users. However, regional dynamics add importance to this. For instance, North America and Asia-Pacific emerge as key growth regions of consumer spending in gaming and entertainment. Price wars, differentiation of product offers, and partnerships with software developers to achieve competitive advantage serve as crucial competitive strategies toward the capture of market shares in this evolving industry.

Challenges In Sound Cards Market

Thus, one of the other restraints limiting sound cards and the overall market's growth and development is the ongoing competition posed by the onboard audio solutions built into modern laptops, desktops, and gaming gadgets. These onboard systems are maturing rapidly, offering features that rival those of dedicated sound cards, thus further diminishing the consumer demand for external audio solutions. Also, the high price tags affixed to professional audio cards that offer advanced features such as low latency performance and multi-channel support turn away the price-sensitive customers, limiting its penetration in the market. Another issue arises due to technological changes and shifts in the desires of consumers. The widespread acceptance of AI-enabled sound processing, which notably increases audio fidelity and noise cancellation, effectively demands that any sound card competing must integrate sophisticated AI accelerators and DSPs. This will benefit premium products but will create troubles for companies pursuing low-cost segments. Political unrest, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the disruptions of supply channels due to COVID-19, have impacted production and distribution and created confusion in the growth prospects of the market.

Risks & Prospects in Sound Cards Market

The key trends are USB Type-C and the adoption of external wireless sound cards offering performance and flexibility. The market is influenced by innovations like surround sound, virtual reality audio, and noise cancellation. Another driving factor is the increasing demand for sound cards for professional use, fuelled by the emergence of content creators and streamers. Regionally, Asia Pacific rules the sound card market with around 35% of the global share due to the overwhelming demand posed by the gaming and entertainment industries, while North America stands in line with a 25% share that has stemmed from advancements in professional audio equipment. Europe stands in third place with a 20% share, with the USA and China contributing roughly 10% each. These regions witness fast-paced technology adoption coupled with a growing consumer base. Major manufacturers, including ASUS, Creative, and Focusrite, dominate the market with constant innovations to suit both consumer and professional applications.

Key Target Audience

, The primary target audience for the sound cards market includes gamers, professional content developers, and audiophiles. Gamers want high-end sound cards that would give them an immersive sound experience through 3D surround sound and low-latency processing. Professional content creators—such as music producers, podcasters, and video editors—need high-fidelity audio interfaces with top-grade DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) and no noise interference for studio-quality sound. Audiophiles and the home theatre crowd also drive demand for high-end sound cards, with an emphasis on high-resolution audio playback capabilities and connectivity options for an optimal listening experience., Commercialization of the product extend to various other institutions, such as businesses and educational institutions, where sound that is of the highest quality is necessary in conferencing, training, broadcasts, etc. OEMs are also on the radar of sound card manufacturers, since they integrate audio solutions into laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles. There is an interplay of considerations—in regard to price sensitivity, relevant technical expertise, and needs of particular user groups—in the market that then shapes the innovative and marketing strategies.

Merger and acquisition

The sound card market is highly active in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in view of technological advancements and changing consumer preferences. Industry players are seeking to improve their product portfolio and market standing by forming new alliances. One of these alliances was struck in January 2024 when Yamaha Corporation and Elgato co-developed a software plug-in connecting Yamaha audio interfaces and mixers to Elgato’s Stream Deck controllers, strengthening the creators' product and service offerings across many domains—including, but not limited to, music, video production, and live streaming. This fervour for investments is complemented by a growing interest from funds that see an opportunity in the pro audio market. As a result, more companies are pursuing M&A as a way to gain scale, expand their capabilities, and stretch their global reach. For instance, AVI-SPL and Whitlock merged in April 2020 under private equity, thus establishing the largest integrator in the world and setting the stage for similar consolidation in the industry. >

Analyst Comment

The sound card industry is witnessing fast-paced changes with the climbing demand for quality audio throughout various sectors. A key trend is the positive surge in the growth of the external sound card segment due to gaming, content creation, and remote work. External hardware commonly provides additional audio processing, portability, and connectivity, and there are always users concerned about flaunting good audio. Moreover, the market is witnessing some emerging technologies, such as the advanced audio processing chipsets and enhanced connectivity via USB-C, striding forward with audio files and convenience to users.