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KnowBrainer Speech Recognition | ![]() |


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Topic Title: considering new microphone Topic Summary: Use Revolabs xTag for fiction writing, considering Jabra Pro 9470 or BlueParrot Xpressway or Samson 77 Created On: 06/30/2010 08:03 PM Status: Post and Reply |
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- Hiker | - 06/30/2010 08:03 PM |
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- R. Wilke | - 06/30/2010 08:47 PM |
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- Lunis Orcutt | - 07/01/2010 12:16 PM |
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- Hiker | - 07/02/2010 06:31 PM |
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- Lunis Orcutt | - 07/02/2010 09:15 PM |
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Revolabs xTag not bad for what I do (write fiction), but makes more errors than I'd like. I end up spending way too much time correcting dictation errors. Am fairly softspoken, work in a quiet office, follow Lunis' advice about free-form dictating when I set up audio wizard. Because of the nature of my writing, I suspect that I don't maintain steady volume and pitch. Am considering the Samson 77 for accuracy, but wonder about comfort. I am very petite and get migraines so have to be careful what I choose. Comments about pressure on the back of the head raise red flags. Even the light weight of the xTag on my neck can cause problems. Am also considering the Jabra Pro 9470, though in your review, Lunis, you mention that you wouldn't recommend it for soft-spoken voices. From what I've read, it looks as if the BlueParrot Xpressway might be the best choice for me, with a bluetooth dongle. I can't tell from what I've read if it would have an appreciably higher accuracy rate than the xTag, or how comfortable it is. I would appreciate any information, insights, comments people might have about these microphones or others that you might suggest. Thanks. ------------------------- DNS 10.1 preferred, OS Windows 7 Premium, CPU Intel Core Duo P8700, HD 320 Gb, Memory 4 Gb |
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Hiker, in many ways, I am just like you. I don't have a very loud voice, but I guess it changes constantly as regards accentuation and pitch, whenever I concentrate on the matter I deal with rather than the way I speak, which is fairly often. Besides, I often have to interrupt due to incoming phone calls, so it's hard to establish a consistent dictation flow anyway. Having started with the traditional monoaural headset, I got fed up with using this pretty soon, because I just couldn't stand wearing it for any longer time, and taking it on and off and always taking care of the position of the microphone was just too much trouble in the end, although the results I got were okay. Therefore, one day I figured that the Revolabs might be just the kind of device for me, but no matter how I tried using it, I just ended up with what you report, just too much correcting being involved, in order to be really happy with it. But, I can even understand what you mean when mentioning that even the weight of the device on your neck may be a problem. These were just two episodes of my long journey through the microphone universe, but finally, I should like to think, but never say never, I have come to terms with it. What I have been using for more than two years, and almost given up looking for different devices ever since, is a hand-held microphone! (Just look at my signature for details.) You may not believe this, and it sures sounds strange, but there is nothing can beat the reliability and quick response of a wired device in my opinion, I can turn the mike on and off by moving the tip of my left thumb just the fraction of an inch, pressing or releasing one of the buttons on the device (instead of reaching out for the keyboard or saying a command), and I don't have to worry about neck pains, itching ears, wet headbands in hot summer, being looked at like a moron in the office, etc. etc. But, in order to get there, one thing it took was giving up using the keyboard, but that just comes naturally! Rüdiger
------------------------- Well, it's past the point where we can make any changes in the code, but we can still make changes to the Easter Egg! |
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Welcome to the KnowBrainer Forums
We can't be certain but after reading your previous post, we suspect that you might have a problem with any headset microphone; including the Airline 77 and the Jabra Pro 9470. We are also hesitant to recommend the 9470 for soft voices but Rüdiger brought up an interesting point about Philips SpeechMike Pro USB microphone because it's a handheld microphone. However, for about the same price, you can take it one step further with the new Grundig Digta SonicMic II USB microphone which, besides being a handheld microphone, has the added benefit of doubling as a desktop microphone. Even if you don't use the programmable keys or the built-in mouse controls, you can leave it sitting on your desk up to 18 inches away which isn't possible with the SpeechMike Pro. The Achilles' heel of most desktop microphones is noise cancellation but we found that the SonicMic II even did reasonably well in this area. You might additionally check out our Digta SonicMic II vs Philips SpeechMike review. -------------------------
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Thank you, Rudiger and Lunis. Interesting information re: hand-held microphones. I infer from the review that you recommended, Lunis, that the accuracy of the Grundig isn't as high as the xTag. It sounds as if your experience with your SpeechMike Pro was that it is more accurate than your xTag, Rudiger. Greater accuracy is definitely something I'm looking for. One piece of information I forgot to provide in my initial question - the original mic that came with my DNS 10 Preferred was a wired Plantronics headset (model # not on it), and I had no trouble with it in terms of comfort. Lack of consistent accuracy was an issue (the xTag is much better). I was also attracted to the idea of being able to move around as I write. Given that I found the Plantronics headset comfortable enough, I wonder how comparable the Samson 77, Jabra Pro 9470 and BlueParrot Xpressway are in terms of weight, fit etc? As for soft-spoken - when I run the Audio Set-up Wizard, I get a level that averages between 1/3 and 1/2 down the blue column (closer to 1/2 when I'm speaking the way I do when I'm into the story I'm writing). Would this qualify as too soft-spoken for the Jabra Pro 9470? Thanks again for any insights you might offer.
------------------------- DNS 10.1 preferred, OS Windows 7 Premium, CPU Intel Core Duo P8700, HD 320 Gb, Memory 4 Gb |
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Quote: As for soft-spoken - when I run the Audio Set-up Wizard, I get a level that averages between 1/3 and 1/2 down the blue column (closer to 1/2 when I'm speaking the way I do when I'm into the story I'm writing). Would this qualify as too soft-spoken for the Jabra Pro 9470? Not at all. You should be fine with the 9470. The Airline 77 is going to be the most accurate of the lot but probably not the most comfortable. In our opinion, the Jabra Pro 9470 is the most comfortable but the Blueparrott Xpressway is close and both microphones include multiple wearing styles/options. If it sounds like a tough call, feel free to purchase more than one microphone and simply return the ones that don't work out. We have no restock fees. -------------------------
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