Looking for a decent standalone mic.

[d3v]

Firstly, sorry if this should be in the 'Computer Build/Upgrade Help' forum, as this isn't really a main computer hardware question I wasn't sure if I should post this there or not. If so, can a mod please move my thread <3

Secondly, I have searched for other topics already, but all were either about headsets or about getting a headset or a mic. None of them really went specifically into seperate mics only.

So, I really want to start using my Sennheiser HD555's again, as I miss their great sound quality my Corsair HS1A headset just doesn't provide (even though the sound quality isn't bad, it just doesn't match that of my Sennheiser headphones). So I'm looking to invest in a decent quality standalone mic.

So far I've seen 1 mentioned in another thread, the Logitech USB Desk Mic (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam...top-microphone). While it seems many people recommend this one, 2 people I know in real life have both bought this and returned it because to them it was pretty bad, picking up practically all background noise, and sometimes even bad sound quality in general to others on Ventrilo and Mumble. Also it is USB, and I'd prefer a non USB mic.

When using google, the first mic I came across was the Zalman Zm-Mic1. I looked for some reviews (http://www.overclock.net/products/za...ophone/reviews), this mic is pretty cheap and most reviews are positive, however most of them say one of the biggest negative points of it is just like the Logitech desktop mic, picks up way too much background noise.

So, I decided to come here and ask, does any know of a decent (preferably clip on mic, but can be a desk mic) mic at a reasonable price? One that preferably has decent background noise cancellation and good quality sound in general. It doesn't need to be the best thing ever, but the background noise cancellation is a rather important factor for me personally.

[lockedout]

Whats a "reasonable price"?
Are you streaming or just to talk to friends/guildies on vent/skype/mumble?

[Marest]

With a higher end microphone you will most likely have a negative result (based on your preference) as it will pick up everything. Professional audio microphones need to be processed.

In either case, finding a microphone that won't pick up background sound is a bit difficult. The best solution for Skype and Ventrilo is actually a lower quality microphone close to your mouth (or sound source). That means it will only pick up your voice and "blur out" background sound.

[d3v]

Whats a "reasonable price"?
Are you streaming or just to talk to friends/guildies on vent/skype/mumble?

Just for vent/skype/mumble.

With reasonable price, I guess I mean a price suited to what it will be used for, so vent/skype/mumble. I stream every now and then but nothing major or professional, mostly just to show a friend what a new game looks like etc. So yeah, I can't really think of a maximum price, maybe €40-50 max?

With a higher end microphone you will most likely have a negative result (based on your preference) as it will pick up everything. Professional audio microphones need to be processed.

In either case, finding a microphone that won't pick up background sound is a bit difficult. The best solution for Skype and Ventrilo is actually a lower quality microphone close to your mouth (or sound source). That means it will only pick up your voice and "blur out" background sound.

Hmm okay, well clip on mics are kind of close to the mouth, closer than a desk mic unless you bend over to it to get close. So there aren't really any "good" clip on mics out there that are recommended?

The Zalman Zm-Mic1 has mostly positive reviews and is really cheap, but yeah most say it's too sensative to background noise/picks up too much background noise. If I'm not going to find anything better than that, then I'll just get that heh.

[Llyth]

I don't like to hijack, but I'm looking for a mic for streaming that won't pick up too much background noise. Using a Razer Carcharias kind of defeats the purpose of buying an audio license :P

[Marest]

The Zalman Zm-Mic1 has mostly positive reviews and is really cheap, but yeah most say it's too sensative to background noise/picks up too much background noise. If I'm not going to find anything better than that, then I'll just get that heh.

It is a good pick actually, mostly because it's so cheap.

I don't like to hijack, but I'm looking for a mic for streaming that won't pick up too much background noise. Using a Razer Carcharias kind of defeats the purpose of buying an audio license :P

Don't hijack and read on:

With a higher end microphone you will most likely have a negative result (based on your preference) as it will pick up everything. Professional audio microphones need to be processed.

[d3v]

Marest, any thoughts on this mic?

"Speedlink Spes Clip-On Metal Microphone"

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...-037-SL&tool=3

Seems to have good reviews, is cheaper than the Zalman ZM-Mic1 and on Amazon.co.uk it has a better rating than the Zalman (although the Zalman only has 5 reviews while the Speedlink has 36, so not exactly fair, but still...)

edit: So after checking reviews for both the Zalman and the Speedlink, I can not for the life of me decide which one to get. I couldn't find a comparison review between the 2. Both have good and bad reviews, although from what I can tell from the reviews the Speedlink picks up less background noise than the Zalman does, but I can't really be sure of that as no one seems to have compared the 2. The cheapest I found the Zalman was on the usual Belgian site I use for my PC stuff, very quick delivery, if I ordered the Speedlink it would be from an UK seller on ebay (with over 100k reviews and 99.9% positive feedback, and an ebay webshop selling all different sorts of mics so is trustworthy) which would take longer to arrive... but in all fairness the delivery time is pretty trivial, I'm in no certain rush and have patience if I need to wait longer for delivery.

So really, I'm pretty stumped. I'm partially leaning towards the Speedlink for the mere reason I think it picks up less background noise than the Zalman, but I can not be sure.