hmmm...I have two headset-mike combo things, got one at CompUSA, and broke it, and then got one from Radio Shack...the old one seemed to pick up better..(the Radio Shack model requires me to be closer to the mike...but is MUCH more comfortable..)....will continue to experiment.

(when Ferrara sang, she simply held the mike part of the headset in front of her, further away than I had it...and it was fine!....)