Philips SpeechMike Pro USB Review

The SpeechMike Pro USB delivers as promised in performance, however, not without it’s quirks. We tested the microphone under notebook and desktop configurations typical for professional dictation applications. First, let me remind you Windows 98 is not supported. So don’t try it. If you are the type of person who likes to install without reading directions, you WILL learn your lesson! The SpeechMike Pro USB requires either Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000. If you try to install into any other Windows OS, you will most likely end up reinstalling your operating system. We tried and failed in this regard so you would not be tempted to go down the same path. We reinstalled the operating system twice. You would think we would have learned the first time! Unless you are lucky enough to be reading this review, we predict incorrect installations will be a common problem for the SpeechMike Pro USB.

Our first installation was done on a Gateway Solo 2500 laptop (PII 300MHz, 128 MB Ram). This installation did not turn out as well as we hoped (presumably because we tried to install on Windows 98 instead of Windows 98 SE). The microphone worked, but none of the function buttons worked. Then, the system became unstable. We installed Windows 98 SE on top of our older install. Unfortunately, our system was still very unstable. What’s next? You know what’s next…..RE-FORMAT. After a clean install of Windows 98 SE, the microphone drivers installed properly and we were able to use the system in a stable environment.

Our initial performance test with Dragon NaturallySpeaking on the Gateway Solo 2500 laptop failed to impress us. The response time was about the same as with non-USB wired microphones. Accuracy was also about the same as our other sound card dependent wired microphones (Andrea ANC700 & Emkay VR3185). Accuracy started at 94%-95% and climbed with correction. Please keep in mind that no vocabulary builder was used, and this recognition was achieved immediately after a brief 5 minute enrollment.

One thing definitely worth mentioning was that the function buttons responded much quicker than with the older SpeechMike system. Also particularly noteworthy, noise cancellation was a little better than previous models. Despite what the Dragon Audio Setup Wizard suggested our microphone audio input level be set at, we turned this level all the way down to the very bottom. This helped tremendously with background noise. The microphone performed equally well with and without background noise. Our background noise was measured at a continuous 51 decibels (averaged with a digital sound level meter) generated by playing music. We feel the SpeechMike Pro USB will handle typical office noise of about 40 decibels just fine. All things considered, at this point, we were not amazed with the performance of the SpeechMike Pro USB.

Our desktop platform consisted of a PIII 600E (Intel Coppermine) processor with 256MB Ram and Windows 2000. The installation was a breeze and getting started was even better.

Even during its first training, the first paragraph dictated was 100% accurate and it was lightning fast. Further dictation (meticulously counted), indicates the mic’s accuracy to be in a range of 95% - 97% straight out of the box. Predictably, noise cancellation was the same as above. As with other complex computer peripherals, one might expect the Phillips SpeechMike Pro USB to run into conflicts and noise with other USB devices. We are pleased to report we did not find this to be an issue. Even while dictating, we successfully moved and manipulated a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer Optical USB with no problems whatsoever.

Owing to the marked discrepancy between the desktop and laptop performance tests, we hit the phones to survey other hardware configurations. Calls to several others using SpeechMike Pro USB revealed that many laptops were indeed working excellent. This includes laptops from Dell and Gateway. To quote a beta tester, “I get near 100% accuracy on my Gateway Solo 9300. It does better than any other mic I have (compared with VXI and Andrea variations).” Perhaps the turmoil in early USB specifications is the cause for our Gateway Solo 2500’s unimpressive performance? And perhaps this helps explain why the mic is so biased in favor of Windows 98 SE and Windows 2000.

As mentioned, this device has the potential of getting very high accuracy and is a must have for Physicians, Lawyers and any other professionals used to holding handheld recorders. However, there are still some quirks that early adopters can expect to live with. Sometimes the mouse ball stops responding for a few seconds. Sometimes, the microphone does not register your first dictation immediately (more of a Dragon NaturallySpeaking problem). Also, it seems that there was an internal driver fight with our laptop installation. The multimedia system would fight the USB drivers and at times, you wouldn’t know who’s speaker was going to play. Disabling the onboard sound system alleviated this problem. Desktop performance in all areas was impeccable.

In future versions, we would like to see a better audio control panel (it would be nice to control base and treble for fine tuning). Also, we wish it had a louder speaker on the unit itself. Lastly, a female jack for optional headset plug-in would be ideal. Despite it’s quirks and any perceived shortcomings, the Philips SpeechMike Pro USB is the most versatile and best (sub $200) handheld microphone available today.

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