PC Magazine has a review on the Hercules Muse Pocket USB external sound module. The unit offers paltry sound output, with noise troubles at -32dB and a problem switching from 5.1 mode to stereo. The unit also suffers from a lack of a MIDI synthesizer and requires third-party software to play multichannel DVDs, further hurting its claim as a 5.1-channel device. The Muse’s primary focus appear to be as a VOIP device, with Hercules including a headset and Skype on its software CD. The Muse’s convenient volume and mute controls as well as high sound quality on calls redeemed the device at least partially, and it might make a good addition if you already have a soundcard as an out-of-the-box VOIP device. It’s available for about $80.
When did that brand get resurrected, anyway? I used a Hercules Muse sound card over five years ago.
Hercules Muse Pocket USB Review [PCMagazine]
