VXI TalkPro Xpress - an experienced and independent user's evaluation
by James Richards, Attorney at Law
Materials and Appearance:
The VXI TalkPro Xpress microphone with Parrott (R) Translator is a pleasure to use. The design is elegantly simple, comfortable and durable. The low mass, low-profile headband is made of lightweight, medium gauge spring steel. It is light weight, but stronger than that used by most other manufacturers. The headband terminates on one end with a plastic "T" pad, which rests gently against the temple. The other end holds a single, foam-covered earphone. The headset stays firmly in place, but does not pinch or hurt the ear. The gooseneck microphone boom pivots nearly 200 degrees, allowing use on either the left or right side of the head. The microphone arm is flexible, but remains stiff enough to retain its position under normal use. It is long enough and flexible enough to fit anyone. All plastic parts and cable connections are of higher quality, more durable materials than most other headsets I have used.
The Parrott (R) Translator circuit board is encased in a high impact translucent plastic case making the electronic components visible. Although high-tech in appearance, it is conservative enough to look appropriately professional in my law office.
Overall Performance:
The VXI TalkPro Xpress incorporates a high quality Gentex microphone that produces a clear, clean, uncolored (almost "thin") sound which distinguishes it from other microphones which color or embellish the sound. The highly efficient single earphone receiver produces a full, rich sound, which is clear and distinct. One does not need to set the sound card volume all the way up to listen effectively, in contrast to many other headsets, such as Plantronics sets I have tested. Playback of my speaking voice is clear, distinct, and precise. This high quality microphone proved itself under fire right away. I produced a four-page single-spaced legal document containing 1568 words using Dragon NaturallySpeaking and recently created voice files trained for my trusty old Shure VR250BT headset. Dictation accuracy was amazingly accurate, consistent, and reliable. The VXI TalkPro Xpress performed with 99% accuracy, generating no more than three recognition errors per page. I later dictated another legal document, realizing only four recognition errors out of 1093 words! I was especially impressed with how well it performed while using user files created with other microphones having distinctly different sound characteristics. Using the TalkPro headset with a fresh set a voice files created specifically with it, produced equally reliable and stunning results. Under various conditions, including changing sound cards, under the NaturallySpeaking Audio Setup Wizard the microphone achieved a low score of 29 and a high score of 38 on the Dragon NaturallySpeaking Audio Setup Wizard and my test bed of 4 different sound cards. Based on my testing, I predict most users could expect a score between 25 and 30, which coincides with the optimal range for that program.
Pairing the VXI TalkPro Xpress with my Sound Blaster Audigy sound card, I ran the specialized version of the ASW (accessed by pressing Alt-1). Testing with my regular speaking voice, produced a noise level of 2-3 and a speech level of 34, for a combined overall score of 25 signal-to-noise, which is downright fabulous. Speaking loudly produced a score of 7-9 background noise, and 53 speech, for a combined score of 38 signal-to-noise.
Testing Noise Cancellation:
I tested this microphone with moderate office environmental noise from a small electric heater/fan, two laser printers, and computer resting only two feet from the microphone element. The microphone was amazingly noise canceling, ignoring such routine environmental sounds. None of the fans could be heard during playback, and this level of noise had no adverse impact on dictation accuracy I also tested the microphone with more noise. I tested while running the same devices listed above, together with the sound of a news broadcaster playing at fairly high volume with stereo speakers each placed approximately 3 feet to my left and right, respectively. The volume was approximately normal speaking volume, as if someone else was speaking in my office at the same time as I. Although the sound of the newscaster could be heard during playback, there was no adverse impact on dictation accuracy. Playing music at a louder volume did have an adverse impact on dictation accuracy.
Compatibility with Other Devices:
The VXI TalkPro Xpress Parrott® Translator virtually assures the headset will be compatible with one's sound card and other peripheral devices which conform to sound card input and output standards. It worked extremely well with my Sound Blaster Audigy and Sound Blaster Live! Value sound cards and also worked flawlessly with the Labtec Dialog 301 and Andrea Electronics PCTI2 computer/telephone switch boxes. The translator is not an amplifier, but conditions the electronic signal to eliminate problems caused by inappropriate PC wiring, and conditions the resulting sound to avoid booming bass tones or shrill high frequency tones. The Translator also avoids problems caused by inadequate microphone bias voltage required to operate the electret condenser microphone element.
Conclusion:
The VXI TalkPro Xpress Parrot® Translator headset is an excellent match for voice recognition software. This is a very strong performer, and a good value for the money. I highly recommend this product for use with voice recognition software, and for us by both quiet speakers and those speakers with loud, booming voices, such as I have. It comes with a two-year manufacturer's limited warranty against failure for practically any reason. Such a deal!
