Not all speech recognition headsets are equal.

First and foremost, you need an accurate microphone in order to reliably transform voice to text. If you are planning on using these headsets frequently, you’ll need products that are comfortable and lightweight enough to wear for hours.

Additionally, you must consider the durability of each component. Even great speakers and high quality microphones can be rendered useless by cheap cabling, for instance.

While many technology providers will simply recommend buying the most expensive equipment you can afford, the truth is that you can almost always get a better deal by narrowly focusing in on what you need most. Don’t be fooled by the price tag – sometimes inexpensive equipment offers the best value in the long run.

Choose the Best Speech Recognition Headsets by Application

When purchasing tech and communication products of this kind, the most important factor to keep in mind is its intended application. Consider the following:

  • Transcriptionists may not need a pleasant-sounding microphone. The microphone need only be of sufficient quality for speech recognition software like Dragon to do its job. If you plan on using transcription software in a noisy environment, it may be more important to use a microphone with a very focused polar pattern or noise cancellation features.
  • Sales and customer service personnel who rely on headsets to communicate while transcribing need to project a clear and authoritative voice, so a great microphone is key. At the same time, the best speech recognition headsets for busy offices should offer some degree of isolation from the outside world, whether through the physical design of the headphone speakers, noise cancellation features, or both.

Look through some of the year’s best speech recognition headsets to determine which model is best-suited to your needs.

1. Koss Communications CS100-USB

This is a high quality headset that delivers on sound quality, microphone accuracy, and comfort. The headset plugs into any computer via USB, which is a benefit for users who would otherwise need to use 3.5-millimeter adapters or other cables to connect. However, Koss does also produce a version of this headset that uses the traditional headphone jack.

In terms of sound output quality, Koss is a brand you can trust. The foam-padded ear cups contain speaker drivers that are not only powerful, but also very accurate. In particular, the headphone speakers have a greater frequency response than many other headphones in this price range.

The only drawback to the CS100 series is the low microphone gain. To get a good signal out of a microphone with low gain, you may need to speak louder than you are used to – no matter how high you push up the volume.

2. Koss Communications SB-45

The Koss SB-45 offers a superior microphone and better noise isolation than almost any other headset in its price range. Although bulky, it is a solid piece of equipment that users find comfortable wearing for extended periods.

This headset offers great sound output quality with thick, foam-padded headphone speakers featuring extended frequency response and an accurate dynamic range. That means that deep, loud sounds translate as clearly as quiet, high-pitched ones.

This headset comes with a long, durable cable. It’s an excellent choice for video conferencing, although some users don’t enjoy the large form factor. Ultimately, there is a tradeoff between sound isolation and size – large headphones like these typically isolate better than smaller, lighter ones.

3. Cyber Acoustics AC-201

With a price one-third of the two headsets listed above, the AC-201 is the most affordable option on this list. This makes it ideal for classrooms and institutions with fixed budgets but ever-growing technology needs.

The microphone offers respectable sound quality when compared to other budget headsets, and features a 180-degree swiveling system that makes it easy for the wearer to speak off-the-record when need be. The headphone speakers use noise-cancelling technology to isolate the wearer from his or her surroundings, which is rare among headsets in this price range.

4. Sennheiser PC 310

With products ranging from retail electronics to high-end professional studio microphones, Sennheiser is one of the most respected brands in audio. Their PC series can be expensive, but offers unparalleled audio quality both in terms of microphones input and headphone speaker output.

Sennheiser markets most of their PC series headsets as gaming headsets, but these products represent an excellent choice for schools, institutions, and businesses that place importance on optimizing speech recognition technology. The PC 310 is a comfortable, high fidelity speech recognition headset that delivers.

Conclusion

Often, your budget is the first determining factor in finding the best speech recognition headset for your business or institution. Maximizing value means determining the level of quality each of your students or employees can enjoy while ensuring that everyone gets access to the same technology. Between these four options, you have a solution ready for any budget.

Advantage Imaging Supply has a broad selection of office and classroom headphones ideal for any budget. Contact us and find out which product fits your needs best.