Sennheiser ME3: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is unique about the Sennheiser ME? In a nutshell, this is the most accurate and externally noise rejecting microphone one can use with speech recognition software. Other microphones approach the quality of the ME3, but none equal it. Many users have reported the ability to use the ME3 with fairly loud music playing directly in front of them with little or no influence on its use with speech recognition. While we don't recommend this, we have been amazed at the ability of the ME3 to ignore contaminating environmental noise.
2. Do I need anything special to make this microphone work? Yes. Because this microphone is designed for use with a wireless system, has a non-standard wiring arrangement and tends not to work when plugged into many common computer sound cards, it should be used with a USB sound adapter. We bundle the ME3 with the Buddy 7G USB adapter since in our testing we have noticed the best performance with this adapter.
3. Is there an issue with the plug on the Sennheiser ME3 microphone? Potentially. The microphone as manufactured by Sennheiser has a unique plug which is designed to lock onto a belt-worn transmitter. This locking ring on the plug interferes with an adequate connection when used with standard audio jacks (see upper plug on image to the right). Although in the past we had an arrangement with Sennheiser to manufacure the ME3 with a standard plug (lackig the locking ring) and with a longer cord, the cost of the special manufacturing became prohibitive, so recently we stopped carrying this special version. Instead, we make available for our customers an exclusive 6 inch long adapter that will convert the atypical plug on the ME3 ito a standard 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) audio adapter. If you purchase an ME3 from a large retailer, it will almost certainly be one of the standard ME3 microphones with the locking ring on the plug and you may have troubles making an adequate connection with your sound card.
4. Can I buy the Sennheiser ME3 from the least expensive source and use it with the Speech Recognition Solutions adapter? Yes! This is actually how we got started - making an adapter which will allow you to purchase the microphone inexpensively and simply adapt the plug, rather than buying a "modified" ME3 from a dealer at a significantly higher cost. Be aware, though, that if you buy the Sennheiser ME3 from a large on-line retailer you are buying a microphone with a non-standard plug and which will not work with standard audio devices as sold.
5. I live in Europe or Great Britain - how would you recommend I get a Sennheiser ME3? Frankly the cost of shipping to these locations from the US makes purchase of a microphone from us impractical. We would recommend you purchase from a local dealer. Two which we highly recommend are:
We can, however, inexpensively ship an adapter for a Sennheiser ME almost anywhere in the world, so don't hesitate to order one of these should you possess an ME3 which requires an adapter. We have shipped adapters to several locations in Great Britain as well as Australia, and shipping has been under $5. Since inexpensive US Postal Service shipping will not show up as an option for international orders, please email us for requests on international orders.
6. This is an expensive microphone. Is it durable? Yes, this microphone is ruggedly manufactured and is designed to take abuse. The wires are reinforced with a strand of synthetic material to prevent breakage. The author's personal ME3 has been getting thrown in a loose pocket of a backpack which is tossed in the back of his car and moved from office to office for nearly 2 years now and it is still going strong. In addition, the microphone comes with a 2 year warrantee from Sennheiser.
7. Is there a preferred USB sound adapter to use with the Sennheiser ME3? Not all sound adapters are compatible with the ME3. We have noted the best results when using this microphone with the Andrea USB adapter (no longer in production) and the Buddy 7G USB adapter. It is for this reason we bundle the ME3 with the Buddy 7G adapter in our best selling "ME3 Combo"
8. There appear to be multiple versions of this microphone. What are the differences? Sennheiser has sold several versions of this microphone over the years. Here is the basic run-down:
- ME3-II: This is the current model marketed and sold by Sennheiser. It was released to the US market during the summer of 2016. This version included some minor physical changes, including a slight shortening of the boom, a different shape to the part that rests against the left temperal area of the head, and a newly designed microphone element. The actual microphone element is said to be identical, but the shape of the housing is different. This version of the microphone is packaged in a more formal box and includes a nylon drawstring bag (prior versions were packaged in a simple plastic bag). In terms of performance, this version appears to be slightly less "hot" (slightly attenuated signal strength compared with previous), but continues to show superb performance with speech recognition software and extreme immunity to external noise.
- ME3-EW: This version has been on the market for years and is the version we and others have been selling for more than a decade. This version is still available from many resellers but has been discontinued by Sennheiser.
- ME3-N or ME3-VR: this is a version that was specially manufactured for eMicrophones.com (and later Speech Recognition Solutions). It included a longer cord (8 ft. instead of 5 ft.) and included a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, rather than the jack with a locking ring noted in other versions. Sennheiser increased the cost of this specially manufactured model to such a degree in 2015 that it no longer remained a cost-effective product.
Other questions? Feel free to email additional questions to: sales@speechrecsolutions.com
