Logitech ClearChat Pro USB

In my quest for a wonderful headset mic, I tested the Logitech ClearChat Pro USB.

While the headphones are quite comfortable, using the mic is a quite a different experience. For some reason, there's a slight humming sound when I raised the mic volume to maximum.

Who raises the volume that high anyway? Well, if you're trying to record a podcast or a voiceover for a screencast, and if you use Audacity, you'll see that the mic pick-up is quite low. When you boost the amplification of your recording, however, that's when the hum becomes evident.

If you don't increase the amp, your recording will sound as if you're coming from a far place, or as if you're a small voice in a huge room.

I was hoping the Logitech ClearChat Pro USB would record at a louder volume, or would somehow approximate that of the Sopu headset mic USB, but it looks like the output is similar to the cheaper Somic USB headset.

One nice thing about the Logitech USB headset mic is the volume control found outside the right earpiece or headphone. You simply click the center to toggle between sound on and mute, or the top of the circular rim to increase the volume (the lower part to decrease the volume).

The Logitech also looks better than other USB mics. It retails for around P2,400 in Complink in Robinsons Galleria. The Somic retails for about P1,700.

If you're looking for a headset mic (with a USB plug, not those pink/green jacks) for your webinar or podcast, see if you can still find a Sopu mic. Just the same, if you're simply after VoIP communication or chatting via Skype, and if you're after comfort, then go for the Logitech ClearChat Pro USB.

[ First posted on 10/28/2009 by Manuel Viloria ]