[Ekho]

Hello,
 
I once needed a headphone to transcribe voice recording. I have been recommended and eventually ordered the Superlux HD661. I am very happy with it.
 
Now, I need headset (or microphone) to record voice accurately for Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software from Nuance. It should be as good and affordable as my Superlux HD661. I would like to pay not more than £50 for the headset.
 
I am not sure how to actually identify headsets that are suitable for speech recognition. So what do I need to look for?
 
I have come across the Beyerdynamic MMX-2 and the Superlux HMC 660 E that might be suitable. Am I on the right track?
 
http://europe.beyerdynamic.com/shop/mmx-2.html?SID=30e2aa986e9062a9a7f09a4e9b6bd93d&___store=en
vs.
http://www.superlux.com.tw/productInfo.do?pdctid=91516ebd-cd7a-44ec-a94f-141b003ffc4a&pdkid=de83b65a-be4b-42b2-b324-4a1ad7b8a927&level=2&lv0=1
vs.
???
 
Please let me know which particular piece of headware you can recommend and why. Cheers.

 

[TimPrice]

I guess it's more important to record properly, so focus on the microphone, your current headphones should be enough unless you have trouble understanding the voices.

 

[Ekho]

I agree. Unfortunately, I don't know much about good microphones. For a start, which of these is better?:
 
 
Quote:

1)
Microphone:
Transducer type: condenser (back electret)
Polar pattern: cardioid
Frequency response: 50 Hz - 18,000 Hz
Circuit voltage: at f = 1 kHz -24 / -4 dBFS/Pa, switchable
Max. SPL: 125 dB
THD: 0.2 % at f = 1 kHz
Length microphone boom: approx. 150 mm, ø 12.5 mm

 
 
 
Quote:

2)
Microphone
Type: Back electret condenser
Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
Frequency Response: 50-15,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -40 dBV/Pa (10 mV)
Max. SPL: 136 dB SPL (THD ≤ 1% 1 kHz)
Equivalent Output Noise (A-weighted): 24dB (IEC/DIN 651)
Rated Impedance: 200Ω
Dynamic Range: 112dB
Power Requirements: 9 to 52V DC phantom power
Current Consumption: 3 mA

 

[Steffo]

Hi Ekho,
 
I'm also looking for a USB headset to use with Nuance's Dragon software but I'm not in the know when it comes to microphones suitable for it. Hopefully me posting here asking for advice will attract some more attention.
 
These are some headsets I've come across so far that, as far as I can tell, are decent:
 
http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/headsets/sennheiser/sennheiser-pc36-usb-headset/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=sennheiser%2Bsennheiser%2Bpc36%2Busb%2Bheadset&utm_campaign=froogle
 
 
http://www.zazdas.com/department/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcountry=218&idproduct=3373584&idcategory=0
 
 
http://www.headsets4business.co.uk/product-detail/pln_audio_37866-01/plantronics-audio-645-usb-pc-headset/ - Scroll down on this one and you'll see some more from the same brand
 
 
http://www.directofficesupply.co.uk/plantronics-audio625usb-headset-p2887?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base

 

[cel4145]

In Dragon's early years, Andrea Electronics was well known for making high quality headsets for speech recognition. This was back awhile (about eight to ten years ago) when it was really important to have a very good headset to use with Dragon. Now the sound cards on computers and the speech recognition software itself is more forgiving.

Might be worth checking them out.

 

[Steffo]

The Andrea products look really good. Not too expensive either.
 
Thanks for the info cel4145

 

[Steffo]

Plantronics looks like a good brand for the job. Check out this article on their site:
 
http://press.plantronics.com/europe_english/plantronics-delivers-enhanced-voice-recognition-with-nuance-and-expressware/

 

[Steffo]

I've narrowed the search down a bit according to the details of this thread and I think products like this are a good choice:
 
http://www.dabs.com/products/plantronics-voyager-pro-hd-r---headset---ear-bud-----wireless---bluetooth-2-1-edr-7ZH0.html
 
It's pricey though so I'll see if I can find anything cheaper. 

 

[Ekho]

Hi Steffo,
 
For what did you settle in the end.
 
I might give the Sennheiser PC 141 a go and see how I get along.
 
 
Technical specifications:

Jack plug	3.5mm stereo
Headphone
Nominal impedance	32 Ohm
Ear coupling	binaural
Cable length	3 m
Frequency response (headphones)	40.....20000 Hz
Sound pressure level (SPL)	109 dB(SPL)
Microphone
Frequency response	80.....15000 Hz
Pick up pattern	Uni-directional