I use DNS 11.5 on a Windows 7 virtual machine on a couple of different Macs (a MacPro and a MacBook Pro).  I know that Nuance doesn't officially support this kind of setup, but I've had no problem with it.

 For microphones, I've been using a VXI Parrott TalkPro Express with an older Andrea USB pod soundcard as well as an Andrea ANC-650 mic with the same model soundcard.  I also have a Samson Go Mic.  Finally, I've also been trying the Dragon Remote Microphone app for the iPhone.

 Accuracy is reasonable, but not fabulous, with the Talk Pro Express.  Accuracy with the ANC-650 is not good; the audio setup keeps telling me that the signal is too high (odd?), and the only "fix" is to move the mic boom far enough away from my mouth (3 inches!) to reduce the volume that way (no, I'm not yelling).   The Samson is great for VoIP telephony but  I haven't gotten great DNS accuracy.  The Remote Microphone app actually has pretty good accuracy, but I can't always get a pairing with DNS, particularly on the MacBook Pro, so I hate to rely on it.

 I know I'm using older technology, so I think I'm ready to step up to something better.  I've looked around this site (forums and shop), and opinions obviously differ, which makes things difficult.  I'm most interested in accuracy, but I'm not prepared (at least not yet!) to pay "top dollar," though I'm certainly willing to pay more than the "bottom dollar" I paid for the stuff I described above.

So, a few questions...

1.  I've enjoyed not being tethered to my chair when using the Remote Mic app.  How good are wireless mics (such as the Stage 5...) in comparison with wired microphones? Is there a real tradeoff in accuracy for the pleasure of cord freedom? 

2.  Is there any point in replacing the old Andrea USB Pod soundcard with a newer, full duplex model, or can I leave well enough alone here?

3.   Any other advice about mics (corded, wireless, whatever) to improve the signal quality for the purposes of DNS accuracy?

Thank you! 

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I have now spent some time (a lot!) on your site, including the store site and the Microphone comparison, and I have some followup questions: 

 1.  The Samson Stage 55 comes with an SE10 microphone, and the site says it is upgradeable to the SE50.   It appears from your Microphone Comparison chart that the only real difference is a small increase in accuracy.  Is this correct or am I missing something?

2.  It seems that you feel that the Audio Technica Pro 8HEmw is superior to the SE10 or SE50 mics.  Is the Stage 55 available "bare" without the SE10 so it can be combined with the 8HEmw? (Or alternatively, is there a combo Stage 55 AT 8HEmw available?)

3.  Is the Buddy Flamingo a suitable substitute for the Buddy Desktop if I have a USB port close by (on my monitor, for example)? 

4.  Perhaps given the pricing structure (I'm not complaining, just noting!), it might be worth considering the Airline 77 at $300 vs. the Stage 55 + Audio Technica at @$129 x 2 = $258? 

Thank you! 

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Thanks for your detailed response.  I went to the Samson website to look at the Airline 77 and noticed that it is worn behind the head/neck "reverse glasses style" (that is, with glasses-style temples that hook over the ears). Does this work well if one already wears specs?  I couldn't possible read my monitor without my glasses on!  I guess by "does it work well?" I mean "is it comfortable?"

The Stage 55 looks to be a typical "over the head" style mic, and I've never had that interfere or be interfered with by glasses.

Your point about the potential advantage of the Stage 55 with a detachable mike is interesting and worthy of some thought.

Thanks again! 

Camner,

I wear prescription glasses for both reading and driving. Like you, I need my reading glasses when working on the computer and using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. As to whether or not the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone headset is comfortable has been debated by some who have larger head sizes. However, I have never found the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone headset to be either uncomfortable or interfere with my wearing glasses and I've been using the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone now for well over five years.

I haven't used, but I've taken a look at, the Stage 5 series microphones from Samson. Based on the technical specifications I think that you would find the Stage 5 series microphones a viable alternative if you are uncomfortable with an over the ear, behind the head headset like the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone. However, there are a couple of caveats:

1. The Stage 55 is more prone to external EMI interference than the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone (i.e., large bank overhead fluorescent lighting or anything producing a strong EMI field anywhere near the belt pack or receiver.

2. The Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone is better suited for speech recognition by virtue of the microphone element and noise canceling capabilities.

3. I personally dislike dangling wires that can get in the way of movement and/or use as a result of the fact that the Stage 55 requires a belt pack whereas the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone transmitter is an all contained unit on the back of the headset, which is generally unobtrusive, except for disabled users for whom the self-contained transmitter on the headset for the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone might interfere with their head rests and/or having to lie down.

4. For all practical purposes, not taking into consideration issues surrounding the headset and microphone elements, the Stage 55 microphone is essentially a Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone without the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone headset and self-contained wireless transmitter.

5. Performance and accuracy being able to use alternative headsets with the Stage 55 has not been thoroughly tested, whereas the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone has and does provide top-of-the-line performance and accuracy with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

My own personal preferences to have everything contained in the headset rather than using the belt pack with an alternative headset. For example, if you wanted to use the VXI TalkPro with its standard extra long cable and headphone connector would not be viable with the Stage 55. In addition, with the Stage 55 there is no accommodating headset microphones with earphones. That is, there is no audio output capability. The belt pack is a one-way transmitter. It would be extremely awkward trying to use a combination microphone/headphone headset with this unit.

Overall, my preferences for the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone. However, that's my own personal preference for the reasons stated above. If your situation requires the specifications of the Stage 55, or you would find the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone uncomfortable, then the Stage 55 would likely be a viable alternative. However, I think it important to take into consideration the various strengths and weaknesses relative to how you need to work with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and your personal ergonomic situation.

Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC
Home of VoicePower®: We don't make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, We make it better!

"Many of the things you can count, don't count. Many of the things you can't count, really count." Albert Einstein

Thanks again for the complete response.  I'm heading for the Samson Airline 77 I think.  Two final questions:

1.  I would only need the ANC half duplex USB adapter, correct, as the 77 is a transmitter only?

2.  What is KnowBrainer's return policy, in case I have a fat head and it doesn't fit well? 

Camner,

Because the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone does not have earphones, the Andrea half duplex USB SoundPod works just fine and is basically all that you need. The Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone has a base station (receiver) which is connected to the USB pod on the microphone side (i.e., the transmitter is on the headset). Regardless, the receiver (base station) only outputs to the USB SoundPod what it captures from the transmitter on the headset. You are correct in that there is no audio back to the headset.

That being said, I like using the Andrea Andrea PureAudio USB-SA because the Andrea half duplex requires that you connect the other side (audio out) directly to your soundcard in order to listen through headphones or earphones. Therefore, if you don't want to hear the playback through your computer speakers, you'll end up wrapping your leg around your neck with the Andrea half duplex. On the other side, you can also disable the Andrea PureAudio USB-SA output and use your speakers if you wish by simply right clicking on the speaker icon in the system tray (systray) and selecting the Playback device. You can then select the default playback device as your standard soundcard speakers and your audio will playback through the speakers. When you use the Andrea PureAudio USB-SA, the default Playback device is the Andrea PureAudio USB-SA. Just change it. I like the Andrea PureAudio USB-SA because I like using headphones rather than listening through my speakers. It avoids anything coming through the speakers from interfering with the Samson Airline 77 wireless microphone, which can happen from time to time with any microphone even if it ignores it (i.e., noise canceling).

Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC
Home of VoicePower®: We don't make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, We make it better!

"Many of the things you can count, don't count. Many of the things you can't count, really count." Albert Einstein

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Thanks both to Lunis and Chucker for your responses.  I'll order the Airline 77 and perhaps the Andrea PureAudio USB-SA shortly.  I'll wait a bit until I have a good 30 days of not traveling so I get a good opportunity to try it out.

Asus, Intel(R) Core(TM)i7 CPU Q 740 @1.73GHz 1.73GHz, 64-bit, 8G RAM, Windows 7 Professional, DNS 12 Professional

We couldn't find a review on the PureAudio USB-SA Pod external soundcard but keep in mind that from a speech recognition perspective, all USB soundcards are equal with the exception of the Buddy 7G which is not compatible with the Airline 77. The PureAudio advantage is that it is full duplex, inexpensive and small for portability. The advantage of the ANC USB Pod is that it is the least expensive USB soundcard and only 1\2 duplex which means that it doesn't steal your sound system. The reason why we recommend it for the Airline 77 is because the Airline 77 is limited to sound out which means there's no reason to use a full duplex USB soundcard. That's why you will see the 1\2 duplex Andrea Electronics USB soundcard highlighted when you click the green Select This Item button.

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