--- Forwarded Message from John de Szendeffy <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 08:43:45 -0400
>Subject: Re: #7215 Mic/Headsets - Again
>From: John de Szendeffy <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

------------------
Just a note about the Koss headsets. We purchased about 40 of the SB-30 
model a few years back and did not have great luck with them. We never 
used the mic because the mic-level input was insufficient for recording 
on our iMacs (we used the built-in mic on the iMacs until switching to 
Plantronics USB headsets). But I knew that before buying them. What we 
didn't like was that they weren't suitably durable for a lab. Many of 
the ear pieces (not just the padding) broke off, the wands broke, and 
almost all of the very thin wires  to one earpiece or the other became 
disconnected internally, so that students only got sound from one side, 
which bugged the heck out of them. Within a year most of the units had 
more tape wrapped around them than a hockey stick.

I hope the SB-40s are a different breed.

-John
___________________________________________
John de Szendeffy
Multimedia Language Lab
Center for English Language and Orientation Programs
Boston University
ph              617.353.7957
fx              617.353.6195
lab             http://www.bu.edu/celop/mll/
personal        http://people.bu.edu/johndesz/


On Sunday, August 24, 2003, at 03:38 PM, Jack Burston 
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>

> Dear Colleagues,
>
> Just when I thought I had found the ideal mic/headset for a lab, I've
> encountered a problem I thought you might be interested knowing about. 
> The
> unit in question is the Koss SB-40. It's very comfortable to wear, 
> sounds
> good, and is of reasonably sturdy construction. The price is right, too
> (about $35 on the web).  The problem is with the mic output, which on 
> our
> new Dell GX260 computers with the sound card cranked up to the maximum 
> comes
> out at very low volume. I discovered that Koss is aware of the problem 
> and
> can supply a bias supply ($6) to boost the mic output level. 
> Unfortunately,
> it did not resolve the low output problem for us. So, if you're 
> looking for
> a good mic/headset do consider the SB-40, but make sure to try one out 
> on
> your intended computers before ordering a full complement.  Jack
>
> --
> Jack Burston, Ph.D.
> Director
> Foreign Language Technology Center
> College of Liberal Arts
> Rochester Institute of Technology
> 92 Lomb Memorial Drive
> Rochester, NY 14623-5604
>
> Phone: (585) 475-3156
> Fax: (585) 475-7120
>
>