Desktop configuration
  • For one person: a headset
  • For two or more persons at least: the microphone with echo cancellation, e.g. Duet
  • Cheap Headset
    A Headset (Labtec  or HelloDirect  products).
    • no echo problem
    • good quality in general
    • difficult to use a long time
    Audio 90
    Made by Plantronics   
    • Compatible with most popular sound cards
    • Superior speech recognition microphone
    • Inline volume and mute controls
    • The frequency response of the microphone is reduced to human voice
    • No background noise is transmitted, only voice is sent.
    DSP 500
    Made by Plantronics 
    • no echo problem
    • excellent quality (the best)!
    • comfortable
    • Digital Sound Processor included
    • All the USB Headset work perfectly on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux
    Duet
    Available from Phoenix Audio 

    This is a "all in a box" echo canceler system. It contains the microphone and the speakers. You just have to connect into a USB plug of your computer/laptop.
    Works for a desktop system but is sensitive enough to work as a small-room microphone.

    • Works on any operationg system (no drivers needed)
    • Perfect quality audio
    • Mute button.
    • Can be connected via analog or USB connector
    • Relativly inexpensive for echo canceler system (~$300)
    Solo
    Available from Phoenix Audio 

    This echo canceler microphone works with any external speakers. The microphone plugs in a mic input and in between the speakers and computer to filters out any sound from the speakers to the mic and so stops any echo.
    Works for a desktop system but is sensitive enough to work as a small-room microphone.

    • Works on any operationg system (no drivers needed)
    • Take power from the USB connection.
    • Good quality audio, Mute button.
    • Inexpensive for echo cancelling system (~$200)
    ClearMic
    Available from GlobalMedia Group 

    This echo cancelling microphone works with any external speakers. The microphone plugs in a mic input and in between the speakers and computer to filters out any sound from the speakers to the mic and so stops any echo.
    Works for a desktop system but is sensitive enough to work as a small-room microphone.

    • Allow to use our own audio speakers.
    • Works on any operationg system (no drivers needed)
    • Correct quality audio
    • No mute button. :(
    • Relativly inexpensive for echo cancelling system (~$300)
    MiniVox
    Available from MVOX 

    This is a "all in a box" echo cancelling system. It contains the microphone and the speakers. You just have to connect into a USB plug of your computer/laptop.
    Works for a desktop system. Don't expect to use with more than 3 persons close to the microphone.

    • Does not work properly with RAT on Mac OS X. :(
    • Telephone quality audio
    • No Mute button. :(
    • Take the power from the USB connection.
    • Really Cheap (~$40)
    Videoconference Room
    Soho
    Available from Phoenix Audio 

    This PCI card is an echo canceler system that must be installed in your PC. It is coming with a "iBall" microphone.
    Works for a desktop system and any room size. For room you must already have the microphone(s), the local audio speakers and a full-duplex sound card.

    • Echo Cancellation, Noise Suppression, Voice Leve Compression
    • Simple to install.
    • Good quality audio
    • Inexpensive for echo cancelling system (~$100)
    SoundStation
    Premier

    with
    Interconnect Box
    Made by Polycom 
    • Full-duplex technology rivals talking on a handset
    • Microphones for 360 degres pick-up, echo cancellation and automatic gain control DSP technology produces
    • Intelligent mic mixing for precision voice pick-up
    • Neodymium speaker produces hi-fidelity sound with dynamic, balanced range
    • 16 digit LCD displays caller ID, time of day and duration of call
    • The interconnect box accessory (Product Number 2200-01906-001) will allow you to use your SoundStation line of products with many desktop videoconferencing products.

    Tips:  - Don't add the extra microphones (decrease the quality of the voice).
              - For a bigger room connect two SoundStations and Interconnect Boxes in parallel.