Difference between the Andrea microphone packages?

**emkman** · 03-31-2009, 03:52 PM

I posted this in Audio but realized it might be more appropriate here. I apologize for the double post.

I am struggling to figure out the exact differences between Andrea Electronics Superbeam Array Microphone Bundle
and
USB-SA Andrea External USB Soundcard / SuperBeam Microphone Bundle
Even the Andrea website is similarly vague.

Things I can tell:

They both come with the same actual microphone
they both come with software offering directional audio processing and noise cancellation
The first item only connects the microphone as a USB input
The second item is an actual USB soundcard offering both mic in and stereo out

Things I can't tell:

Why the one which only offers mic in is $15 more than the one which claims to include a high quality sound card
If they both come with the same software, or if one has a subset of the other.

Also, do you think the USB sound card will offer significant improvement over the onboard sound of my Mac Mini( running windows so I would be using the Andrea software ) or are the claims of noise reduction circuitry mostly marketing hype. A mic is the last item I need to add to my already hefty mp3car store shopping cart, so I appreciate the help.

**wariow** · 08-17-2009, 06:33 PM

You might already know the answer from search but I called up Andrea Audio and the first product is only a microphone input which costs 60 dollars and the second option is the microphone with a sound card bonus which you get both an INPUT + and audio OUTPUT. It's cheaper because it's a promotion they're having. If it wasn't for the discount, the items would've cost 75 dollars. Best thing to do is get the USB-SA.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 08-18-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by wariow

You might already know the answer from search but I called up Andrea Audio and the first product is only a microphone input which costs 60 dollars and the second option is the microphone with a sound card bonus which you get both an INPUT + and audio OUTPUT. It's cheaper because it's a promotion they're having. If it wasn't for the discount, the items would've cost 75 dollars. Best thing to do is get the USB-SA.

only if you want to replace your mobo output with a single channel sound card. You also will get no array features and noice/echo cancellation with the USB-SA. Least thats how it was explained to me

**GiODi** · 11-05-2009, 05:29 PM

I called Andrea today and I was told that they both have all the same features except the USB-SA bundle can do echo cancellation.

The only downside is that the output has to be set to the USB-SA output to get echo cancellation.

I plan to use Virtual Audio Cable to mirror the output. There a good explanation on how to do it here

**tbird2340** · 11-09-2009, 03:57 PM

You can get that mic brand new on eBay for $7 shipped.. The noise cancellation is ok but the caller still gets a good amount of echo..

I'm saving up to buy the Phoenix Soho sound card which does 100% noise / echo cancellation (but it's $100).