Some users would prefer to avoid wearing or holding a microphone. For some users with disabilities, particularly with problems related to use of your hands the concept of a desktop microphone works quite well. In general these microphones work well, although they share the susceptibility of accuracy falling off as your distance and angle of approach to the microphone vary.
| Price | Accuracy | Noise Rejection | Boom Length (Inches) | Working Range (Inches) | Integrated Speakers | Accessory |
Programmable Button | |
| SpeechWare 3-in-1 | $279 |  |
|
16* | 10-20 | No | Yes | No |
| SpeechWare 6-in-1 | $329 | |
|
18* | 10-20 | Yes | Yes | No |
| SpeechWare 9-in-1 | $379 | |
|
16-24 | 10-20 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audix USB 12 | $149 | |||||||
| Buddy Desktop 7G with filtered audio | $179.99 | |
|
3-4 | No | No | Yes | |
| Buddy Desktop Mini | $69.95 |  |
|
3-4 | No | No | Yes | |
| Samson Q1U with balanced spring arm | $134.99 | |
|
36 | 2-12 | No | No | No |
*The telescoping 16-24 inch boom which is standard on the SpeechWare 9-in-1 can be purchased separately as an option for the 3-in-1 and 6-in-1 (booms are interchangeable).
We give the entire SpeechWare TableMike series our "Best in Class" award. While there are important functionality differences between the 3 models, they all share characteristics that set them apart from all other table-mounted microphones on the market, including: 1) Auto-gain technology allowing automatic mic volume adjustments when changing distance from the mic, 2) outstanding digital signal processing to eliminate noise, 3) unique ability to use this microphone from distances between 10 and 20 inches and 4) a highly intuitive and functional "TableMike Configuration Application" which allows simple programming of accessory buttons.
This "second generation" TableMike from SpeechWare is the result of more than a year of the best Belgian engineering and input from a number of experienced speech recognition users/resellers including Chuck Runquist, Larry Allen, Lunis Orcutt and Speech Recognition Solutions. While the first generation product was good and clearly on par with other table-mounted microphones, the subsequently released "second generation" 3-in-1 is proving to be nothing less than extraordinary.
Unique to this product is an auto-gain or "equalizer" function in the microphone input volume which will automatically increase the gain as you move further away from the microphone element and allow a workable distance between 10 and 20 inches. Also unique is a digital signal processing built into the circuit board which does an extraordinary job removing external noise. The result is a microphone with a high level of accuracy over a great variation of distances and relative immunity to external noise. In our opinion this is the best table mounted microphone for speech recognition users, unless you need the features contained in the 6-in-1 or 9-in-1 microphone (these offer the same quality with speech recognition software, but other helpful features).
Like the other microphones in the TableMike series, this microphone can be used in one of three modes:
Overall Rating:
MSRP: $279
This microphone has undergone re-design with the best Belgian engineering and is currently in production in Taiwan. It uses the same microphone element and circuit board as the 3-in-1, so i5 provides identical performance with speech recognition software.
Features this microphone has over the 3-in-1 TableMike are the following:
Overall Rating:
MSRP: $329
This is the "grande" of the SpeechWare TableMike series. It uses the same microphone capsule and circuit board as the other members of this series, so it will exhibit the exact same accuracy, noise cancellation, and working range. Unique to this product is a number of additional features, including:
Like the 6-in-1, this product includes a built in speaker, and foot pedal jack to use with an optional foot pedal to control the microphone's on/off functionality. Like the other members of this series, the 9-in-1 includes an accessory microphone jack and a sound out jack. This microphone truly has it all!
Overall Rating:
MSRP: $379
The Audix USB 12 is a plug and play desktop USB microphone. The Audix USB-12 records in high definition with a 16 bit sample resolution and supports 44.1k and 48k sample rates for both playback and recording.
The Audix USB12 features a push-to-talk button with the option of ‘steady on’ or ‘momentary on’ as well as a headphone jack for real time monitoring and a bass roll-off filter to control unwanted low frequency signals. The Gooseneck is 11".
The USB 12 is perfect for Speech Recognition with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, podcasting, Skype or other VoIP and chat programs. We find that the Audix USB12 has moderate noise canceling and performs as well as the higher priced Buddy Desktop microphones.
Features:
MSRP: $149
This is a considerably better desktop microphone than the inexpensive ones seen in electronics stores. We don't consider this to have the accuracy of our better headset microphones, and falls short of the Speechware microphone shown above. It is, however, considerably less expensive than the Speechware microphone and it is notably better than the average desktop microphone sold at your local Best Buy. For those seeking a reasonably priced microphone and needing to keep their hands and heads free, this is an excellent choice.
Important features include the following:
Overall Rating:
MSRP: 179.99
This is a new offerring from InSync Speech Technology and is a simple, very nicely functioning desktop microphone with Filtered Audio technology (to filter out system noise). It is small enough to be easily lifted with your hand and used as a hand-held microphone if you prefer.
Features:
Comments: This is a surprisingly good microphone for it's cost. Many users find it convenient to hold in their hand and use it as a hand-held microphone.
MSRP: $69.95
Although we have this listed last, in many respects this is our most highly recommended desk mounted microphone. The combination includes an extremely high quality hand-held microphone with a USB interface and a mounting mechanism which allows attachment to a distant site on your desk or work surface.
In terms of quality, this is an outstanding microphone. It provides excellent accuracy and extremely high level of external noise rejection. Unique to this set-up is the ability to use the microphone when positioned as far as 12-14 inches from your mouth (we recommend doing the training and sound set-up with the microphone just a few inches from the mouth, but thereafter it can be successfully positioned much farther away during actual use.
Overall Rating:
MSRP: $134.99 (stand and Mic)
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