Microphone Recomendations for Breeze Meetings and Presentations

Selecting a microphone can be a difficult task, however with the popular spread of Skypeâ„¢ many new direct USB options are now available (see Logitech headsets below). For presentations, the quality is very much dependent upon the audio clarity and quality of the naration. For meetings, quality can be somewhat less. Below are recommendations for microphones and USB sound interfaces, and which combindations work.

Please consult the compatability table below when selecting a microphone and sound interface. A breeze presentation is available that can be used to compare audio clarity and quality.

Microphone Selection and Comparison Test: Hear the Difference

Microphones

Logitech
Premium USB Headset 350

Logitech 350 Headset     Price: $49.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Good audio quality. Requires no sound interfaces or driver installation.

Disadvantages: Slight tinness in recording.

Logitech
USB Headset 250

Logitech 250 Headset     Price: $39.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Good audio quality. Requires no sound interfaces or driver installation.

Disadvantages: Somewhat less comfortable than the Logitech 350 above and no independent volume control. Slight tinness in recording.

RadioShack
Hands-Free Tie-Clip Omnidirectional

RadioShack Microphone     Price: $24.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Good audio quality, and works well with the recomended sound interfaces.

Griffin Technology
Lapel Multipurpose Stereo Microphone

Griffin Microphone     Price: $14.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Good audio quality.

Disadvantages: Only works with the Griffin iMic.

Sennheiser
Wireless Microphone EW112P-G2

Sennheiser Microphone     Price: $499.99
    Product Description
    Retailers: B&H Photo-Video

Advantages: Superb audio quality and background noise removal. Especially recommended for class room lectures.

Disadvantages: Cost and requires frequency coordination with other users in the area. For frequency usage in your area please see the Sennheiser Frequency Finder.

USB Audio Interfaces

Griffin Technology
iMic2 USB Audio Interface

Griffin iMic2     Price: $39.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Good audio quality, and works well with the recomended microphones, portable and convient.

Disadvantages: Headphone level can be low with out powered headphones.

Creative SoundBlaster
Live! 24-bit External

SoundBlaster Live! 24     Price: $49.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Excellent audio quality, and works well with the RadioShack and Sennheiser microphones. Appears to be the sucessor product to the Audigy2 listed below.

Disadvantages: Requires driver installation.

Creative SoundBlaster
Audigy2 NX USB Audio Interface

SoundBlaster Audigy2 NX     Price: $98.99
    Product Description

Advantages: Excellent audio quality, and works well with the RadioShack and Sennheiser microphones.

Disadvantages: Less portable, needs power supply. Requires driver installation. Maybe difficult to find, appears to be discontinued product.

PC Mic Input

Available on most laptops.

Advantages: Adequate audio quality for meetings, requires now additional devices other than a microphone, and works well with the RadioShack microphone.

Disadvantages: Audio quality can vary depending on manufacture and model.

Compatibility Information

Microphone Griffin iMic2 SoundBlaster Live! 24 SoundBlaster Audigy2 PC Mic Input
RadioShack
Lapel Mic
Y
best price
Y Y Y
good for meetings
Griffin
Lapel Mic
Y
good for meetings
N N N
Sennheiser
Wireless
Y Y
best audio
Y
best audio
Y