USB Microphones

Whether for use with speech recognition software or internet telephony, a microphone interfacing with USB offers a degree of predictably reliable performance not seen with the microphone plugging into your PC sound card. Shown below are our best selling and best performing USB microphones. If you have an existing analog microphone which you would like to interface to your personal computer via USB, consider use of an external USB adapter (at the bottom of this page).

Andrea NC-181VM USB

This is the top of the line in the NC-181 series by Andrea and includes both the inline mute/volume controls and the PureAudio USB digital audio which includes Andrea's complete PureAudio Voice Solutions Software Suite (on an included CD). The USB interface assures compatibility with virtually any PC hardware.

Features:

• USB 2.0 Full Speed Operation Device Class Specification V1.0 Compliant (Digital Audio Device)
• In-line Digital Volume and Mute Controls
• Power On / Data Transmit LED Indicator
• Win98 SE / Win 2000 / Win XP and Vista Compatible
• Mac OS9/10 (without Andrea Software) Compatible
• Andrea Noise Cancellation Microphone Technology with Highest Voice Recognition Industry Rating
• Pro-Flex Wire Microphone Boom for Accurate Microphone Placement
• 40mm Speaker with CD Quality Sound and Large Comfortable Ear cushion
• Stainless Steel Adjustable Headband
• Windsock for Minimal Breath Popping
• Reversible for Left or Right Side Usage
• Folds Flat for Storage and Portability
• Extra Long 8 Foot Shielded Cable
• Includes Andrea Voice Solutions Software Suite

Comments: This is a solid "work-horse" microphone. We particularly like the association of the microphone with the high quality Andrea Pure Audio USB sound adapter, which assures solid performance with virtually any operating system and any hardware which accepts USB. We consider this microphone to be generally comparable to the significantly higher priced VXI TalkPro USB 100.

MSRP: $49.95
Our Price: $ 49.95

Andrea NC-185

This is the simplest of the NC-185 series and includes stereo speakers and 3.5 mm connectors for attachment to your pc. The only difference between this microphone and the NC-181 shown above is the presence of two speakers and stereo sound.

Features:

• High Fidelity Stereo PC Headset with noise canceling microphone
• Includes Andrea's Noise Cancellation Microphone Technology with Highest Voice Recognition Industry Rating
• Pro-flex wire microphone boom for accurate microphone placement
• 40mm speakers with CD quality deep base sound and large comfortable ear cushions
• Stainless steel adjustable headband
• 8 ft. long shielded cable

MSRP: $29.95
Our Price: $ 29.95

If your budget is extremely tight, consider purchasing a "barely used" version of this product from our stock of returned items. Learn more ...

VXI TalkPro USB 200 Binaural Microphone

The full featured TalkPro USB 200 incorporates two key technologies to achieve superior microphone performance: sophisticated noise canceling microphone proven to ensure higher speech recognition accuracy and VXI's innovative, Digital Signal Processing technology which heightens audio performance by converting the headset's microphone signal from analog to digital, thereby providing a signal that is completely compatible within the computer's digital environment. Also features volume control, microphone mute, and quick disconnect.

Features:

• Superior quality noise canceling microphone
• Easy to use: simple plug and play USB connection
• All day wearing comfort
• Flexible microphone boom stays in position
• Adjustable headband for great fit
• swivel ear piece and soft cupped ear cushion
• Left or right side microphone placement
• Durable components for long headset life
• For Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP and Mac OS 9.1 and higher
• Two year unconditional warranty

Comments: This is a highly reliable, good quality microphone for use with speech recognition software. Because of the USB interface you need not worry about sound card compatability issues and, in addition, you can expect good compatability with both any Windows machine (XP, Vista & &) and with a Macintosh. The only difference between this microphone and the TalkPro USB 100 is that this microphone has two speakers. Be aware, though, that this does not provide actual stereo sound - both speakers provide the identical sound.

VXI TalkPro USB 200 Microphone
Usual Retail: $139
Our Price: $ 87.95

If your budget is extremely tight, consider purchasing a "barely used" version of this product from our stock of returned items. Learn more ...

USB 6-in-1 TableMike - TBMK02

This is the latest addition to our offerings of desktop microphones and comes from a Belgian company with a long history in transcription products and recognized leader in speech recognition products in Europe. This is a high quality, free standing table-top microphone with a number of unique features, including a long boom extension arm, an extremely high quality directional microphone, a built in speaker, an included USB sound card, and a choice of either push-to-talk or continuous on/off based on your preference. It includes ear bud earphones and complete set-up instructions.

This is an outstanding microphone for internet telephony as it includes volume controls for both the microphone and the integrated speaker.

Of note this product has received "5 Dragons" from Nuance, attesting to its excellent performance with Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Features:

• Dictate without wearing anything or being physically tethered to your PC
• Shotgun, highly unidirectional back electret condenser microphone
• Superior sound quality for Voice recording and Speech recognition, matching or
  exceeding the finest Headsets or Desktop Array microphones available in the market
• Built-in mic amplifier with Volume control in the back of the unit for far away
  positioning (15 to 30 cm / 6 to 12 inches or more)
• Integrated high quality Speaker with Volume control (+ and -) buttons built
  conveniently into the base, supporting full duplex communication for good VoIP
• Microphone push-lock and push-to-talk buttons in the base
• Noise canceling technology that filters out background noise
• Gold, non corrosive, 3.5 mm audio jack connection
• Audio output to connect Stereo bundled headsets, for privacy
• Versatile 35 cm (14 inches) long adjustable boom to dictate standing up
• Indicator light ring around the boom to show status
• Optional foot pedal or switch, ideal for those with disabilities and those needing to keep hands free
• Proven performance with Dragon NaturallySpeaking (5 Dragons - highest performance rating)

Included:

• Base Unit
• Detachable microphone boom
• Foam windscreen for microphone
• Detachable earphones
• Set-up instructions (identical to instructions in link below)

Additional Information:

• Visit SpeechWare Web site
• View SpeechWare Set-up Instructions for the TBMK02
• See more images of the microphone
• See SpeechWare YouTube video showing all parts of the 6-in-1

Comments: This is a beautifully manufactured desktop microphone with an extremely directional microphone element that provides excellent results with speech recognition. It has been awarded "5 Dragons" by Nuance. It has a built in speaker and includes volume controls for both the microphone and speaker. We were very favorably impressed with the results we noted when testing this microphone. With the microphone gain set in the mid range, we saw extremely low noise ceilings and excellent accuracy in speech recognition (see sample from Dragon Audio Setup Wizard below). When running the audio set-up wizard you will get get two expected error messages due to the presence of volume controls on the mic and sound, but these should be ignored as they have no impact on performance of the microphone. Compared to the Buddy desktop microphone, this has a longer boom, volume controls, and better performance. For those with physical disabilities, use of the optional foot pedal may be potentially helpful.

Note: SpeechWare packages this microphone in several configurations, both with and without the foot pedal, but uses only a single box. Since most of our customers do not require the foot pedal, the version we sell does not include the foot pedal. But be aware that there is an empty slot for the foot pedal in the box we will ship to you. We did not remove or fail to include the pedal! If you require the foot pedal, vist our Speechware page and order the pedal there.

MSRP: $249
Our Price:$ 240.00

Buddy USB Desktop Microphone

For those wanting to free themselves of an attachment to the microphone, this is a simple, good quality microphone which sits on your desk and provides good quality results when used with speech recognition software

Features:

• Stable desktop positioning
• Quality microphone element
• USB connection to PC

Comments: 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, for those needing to keep their hands and heads free, this is an excellent choice. An alternative microphone to consider is the SpeechWare 6-in-1 microphone. Keep in mind that this microphone does not have a speaker so if you need sound out for your application you will need to depend upon other speakers integrated into your PC (a notebook pc) or attached to you PC (desktop pd).

Buddy Gooseneck USB Microphone

MSRP: $169.95
Our Price: $ 159.00