[Art]

I've purchased and used the Andrea brand of microphones / headsets for years with pretty good results.
They were of good quality and priced very reasonably.

I just found this array microphone for $19.95 USD. Uses a micro mini jack with the "tip" on one and the "ring" on the other (Sleeve on ground).

There is a tiny program you can download to check for compatibility on your system before you decide to purchase. If it indicates your system fails, you can also elect to purchase their recommended sound card and array mic combo for $44 USD.

I'd be interested in reading reviews from anyone who has used or is otherwise familiar with this mic.


http://www.andreaelectronics.com/buy/productdesc/USB-SA_array_bundle.htm

[Carl2]

 Art,
   Just finished reading a post you put in at Zabaware about the MS VR.  I looked into the array Mic and it sounds impressive, I'd probably be intrested in the array and the external sound card so I checked at Nuance for compatability.  Andrea states the " USB-SA rated 6 Dragons (Top Score) by Dragon Naturally Speaking"   while Nuance Lists the Andrea Sunbeam array mic as 2 dragons,  included in the rating is "Requires: USB adapter and associated driver software that the superbeam array is connected to
OR
Hardware (SoundMax 4) capable of stereo recording and preloaded driver software that allows a direct connection of the superbeam array to the microphone input jack. To check if your system is capable of this direct connection follow this link....  This was tested 9-6-06.
  The real problem I"m having is it is not listing Win 7 as being compatable.
Carl2
 

[Carl2]

  Since I'm interested in this advertisement I did a little more looking into it.  In the past I was interested in the Andrea wireless mic but didn't like the frequency response and bought an Asus wireless mic instead.
  I did some searching and found the  PureAudio USB-SA which is the USB device connected to the mic and headphones.  " The USB adapter enables the audio device driver platform which supports the Andrea PureAudio noise reduction technology and Andrea hardware peripherals. Can also be used to enhance ANY existing legacy headset, microphone or speakers."  " Includes Andrea's complete PureAudioâ„¢ Voice Solutions Software Suite "
  The array mic has 2 dragons,  pretty poor,  The USB device with software allows you to filter the noise, stop echos, " Patented Digital Super Directional Array adaptive beam forming system powers Andrea's SuperBeam microphone", PC Audio Control Panel, Recording center.
The USB device is selling for $44.95,  I was unable to find this device under compatable hardware at Dragon..  here is the link to the USB  http://www.thespeechgurus.com/pureaudiousbsa.html
  I've used Audio filters with wired mics in the past for use with dragon and was able to increase the signal to noise from 19 db to 32 db. so I know signal processing helps increase the accuracy.  Unfortunatly it's not Win 7 compatable.
Carl2

[Art]

Carl,

Check out this listing. Some seem rather promising...

http://www.cnet.com/topic/headset/microphone.html

[Carl2]

    I looked at the PureAudio USB-SA  which is a device to connect a wired headset or the wired array mic to the computer, it plugs into a USB port similar to the rf device used with wireless headsets.  Since it needs to be wired in it's pretty much usless to me.  I checked the sound control for the computer and I have an equalizer I set to voice.  I did like the idea of having a little device that plugs into the USB port to eliminate noise from the voice.
  I looked at the link you put in and came across the    Sennheiser PC160, nice headset had one ages ago.  Changed to wireless which is much easier to get along with. 
Carl2