Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000

this works so well with my voice activated software.I can write with no interuptions and very few word mistakes the noise cancelling mic is awesome and the earphones are comfortable

These are certainly not the top of the market but are still a reasonably pricy item for what they are but they are essentially rubbish - never worked properly and lasted less than a year.
Always had connection problems even with several different USB ports on different computers resulting in no volume or volume dropping out and static;
Mid line volume controller ineffective;
Were uncomfortable to wear, very hard on ears;
Within a short period of time the ear pads (also referred to as ear cups) started to fall apart with the vinyl breaking down and falling away.
Never again microsoft.

The unit looks functional - over the ear cup headphone, solid looking mic boom, good thick cable that looks like it won't kink or break.

Sadly this is where the good bits end. It is let down by very poor sound quality and a low gain microphone.
It is uncomfortable to wear, with very noticeable pressure on your head. It get very hot under the ear cups. After 30 minutes you can really feel the strain.

Would not use it for anything more than 15 minutes, 30 minutes at absolute most.