Spectra SP-USB USB Transcription Headset with Volume Control

This is my second Spectra USB transcription headset - my first one lasted me just over 8 years of 40+ hours a week of use! (The right-hand speaker on my first pair died, so technically, I can still use them, but only get audio out of one side). I notice that the wiring is every so slightly thicker than my old Spectra headset, and the volume control feels like the buttons are ever so slightly better quality - it's hard to describe, but they feel more responsive/substantial, yet appear to be identical. My old Spectra, I had to press the volume button(s) repeatedly, this one, I just press and hold the volume button(s) to get the volume I want (pressing repeatedly works, of course!) Sound quality is excellent for voice transcription. Note that these are NOT intended for music/gaming - they are set at a different frequency or something (I'm no audiophile, so not sure right term!) that is optimized for voice, and they do that very, very well. Voices are clear and crisp (depending on recording quality of the file I'm transcribing, of course!) Note this style of headset is intended to more or less rest *on* the entrance of your ear canal, not *in* your ear canal. They will not fit inside your ear canal like music ear buds do, nor are they meant to. By having them rest *on* the entrance of your ear canal, air flow is not impeded (like ear buds you insert into your ear do), reducing risk of long-term hearing damage, infection, "hot" ears, etc. If you've never used this style before, it may feel weird at first. Came with a small fabric bag and extra foam covers. Am pretty confident they will last me another 8 years - sure hope so, cause I retire in 7 years! Would be great if I never have to buy another headset! LOL!

These really are amazing! I can hear so much better with them and can make out words that I simply can't with my regular headphones. They're also comfortable, although after a time they do hurt my ears a little. But I find if I just wear them over my head the majority of the time they're much more comfortable. I probably have a small head, so that might not be a solution for everyone. These are so amazing, though, that if I could only wear them the correct way I would just learn to get used to any discomfort. Now if I can just learn how to use software that gets rid of background buzz and such I'll be golden. I'm 46 and growing a bit technologically challenged so have been leery of trying anything. If anyone wants to take pity on an "oldish" lady and leave a comment with a suggestion to a user friendly, low cost program I would be grateful.

Use these for transcription. Works well. Long cord, volume adjustment is great!

UPDATED! after using this for several years and receiving a second pair in 2022. I bought the Spectra SP to do 2-3 party, in-person and phone interview transcription. Recording quality varies, so good sound balance that brings out speech over background noise is essential. Even though I'm sending my new pair back, I had an amazing experience with VEC customer service. If you transcribe dictation, I still recommend this headset, if it's comfortable for you. SOUND QUALITY The SP's build-in sound card delivers crisper speech in spades. A WordSmith headset delivers richer sound, but the Spectra SP is dramatically clearer. I get unparalleled clarity through bad reception and background noise. The Spectra shines brightest with simultaneous speech. I can pick out what individual parties are saying much more easily than I could before. 2022 DIFFERENCES: According to VEC customer service, their parts manufacturer made changes that necessitated VEC adjust their programming. This produces a dramatically different sound experience compared to the old SP. The new sound balance reminds me of the 'accuvoice' setting on my TV's soundbar. It's sharp and tinny. If you're transcribing good quality dictation files, it would probably be fantastic. If you're transcribing phone calls, it's a problem. The new sound balance over-sharpens background noises, spoken 'S' sounds, and so forth. There's a constant crackle when people speak, and it quickly causes hearing fatigue. Trying your best with your computer's built-in sound adjustments (like bass boost, 'audio boost,' whatever) can offset some of the problems, but not all of them. This makes it a bad choice for call transcription. If you normally handle good quality files with minimal background noise, they may be perfect. GOOD VOLUME CONTROL The on-board sound card boosts your output volume, and the volume control built into the cord adjusts that volume in tiny increments. This is invaluable when trying to find that perfect volume from file to file, especially if there are two parties with speech volume disparity in the same file. CHEAPER CONSTRUCTION The wire is thin, and the band feels flimsy. This is true even of the 2022 model. The 2018 model had a problem in which bumping the band against your chest or shoulder would cause buzzing. The 2022 model seems to have corrected that. It doesn't have seem to have strong contact points. It took months for the cheap, lightweight cord to stop twisting and kinking. On my 2018 model, I would get occasional scratching and tapping that would go away if I wiggled the cable contact points around the volume control around. So far, this hasn't happened on my 2022 model. On my 2018 model, my headset cord got caught on something and tugged twice within the first year of owning it. It wasn't anything major; I would consider it normal wear-and-tear, especially when you have a cheap cord that keeps twisting up. Those tugs were enough to damage something in the cord. After that, the headset developed a constant, high hum/ringing when the volume was turned up beyond a certain point. could go into the sound mixer and jack up the system volume with no issue. It was specifically the built-in volume adjustment that was damaged. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone who has to travel with their headset, unplug and store their headset regularly, or shares a home office with someone less careful about moving electronics than they are. SMALL EARS? IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE I have small-ish ear canals, and this thing is uncomfortable. The ear pieces are a little too big. I need a break after about 60 minutes of wear time. The foam pads it comes with are scratchy as all get-out, too, which doesn't help. This is gross but puts things in perspective-- it does a disturbingly good job exfoliating my ears. The output speakers are made in a weird, wide conical shape, so I can't order more comfortable foam pads from a third party. I'm considering trying to construct my own out of a few layers of smooth, high-end pantyhose. That said, the weird shape seems to be the best semi-in-ear solution for getting spacial sound and making sure they stay in your ears without going into your ear canal like ear buds. I wish they offered different sizes, though. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AMAZING I e-mailed VEC about the sound quality change. Not only did I get an e-mail back, it was from a real person who did his own comparisons between headsets and figured out when the component changes occurred. He even gave me recommendations on things to try. I was floored by his responsiveness. It's so rare to get a real person who actually works in-house for the company these days. It was phenomenal. OVERALL For the price tag, I wish they were sturdier, had a heavy wire, and options for different ear sizes. They aren't the best choice for call transcription, and they won't travel well. If you handle good quality sound files and have larger ears, I absolutely recommend giving these a shot. They're still better than the Wordsmiths, and getting regular headphones with comparable clarity will cost you $60+ (as I'm finding out).

The sound is very accurate for transcription, and they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time which is critical if you are typing a large transcript or manuscript. As someone who buys them, the only drawback is their lightness (not flimsy, but they are definitely breakable) makes them less durable than some other headsets. So for people who don't treat equipment with care, they break easier than I would like. Nevertheless they are excellent quality for the job.

I just replaced a headset that I have had for 5 years (using almost 5 days a week for work). Same company and same type of headset. I highly recommend this headset, long cord, can set the volume and very sturdy. Will buy again

The sound quality, volume control and overall quality of this headset is great. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because they become quite uncomfortable to wear after 30 minutes or so. They are not cushioned very well and sit not quite inside my ears. I will be looking for a more uncomfortable set.

These work well and sound great. The volume control is a great feature and really allows me to pick up on words I would otherwise not be able to decipher. I was not able to wear them for more than 2 or 3 hours without discomfort in my ears due to the scratchiness of the foam ear pieces, I assume. I do think over time, I could probably adjust to them, but I decided to keep them as a backup to another headset I chose.

The headset is very good voice quality except I have to keep moving the headset around to get the sound to be clear and loud. It is like they do not sit good in the ear, too heavy or something have not figured that out yet but the quality of sound is very good when you get the headset in the right position.

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