What setup to use to avoid using headphones on video call? i.e., I want to use desktop USB Mic for voice input and speakers only for output.

[Videobuff]

How do I prevent speaker audio being transmitted back through my mic when using a usb standalone mic for voice transmission and speakers for listening, when attending video calls? I basically want to attend calls [speaking and listening] without having to use head phones.
Right now I have a usb mic [with the usual filters applied such as suppression, compressor, etc to clean up the audio] and a desktop speaker, feeding the mic through a virtual cable and taking it as the input to the video call mic. What am I overlooking? This must be a very common, every day issue if broadcasting without headphones so I'm sure there's a simple solution that I'm just overlooking. I could just mute my mic when I'm not speaking, but often people talk as I'm speaking so they hear their own voice coming back as an echo, etc.....I'm sure I'll kick myself when someone gives me the solution but hey, I'm happy to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[koala]

• the distance from the mic to the speakers should be much larger than the distance from the mic to your mouth. Best is if you're sitting in front of the mic, your mouth not more than 30-50 cm away, while the speakers are on the other wall some meters away behind you. Or some meters away in front of you if you're facing the room center. Not valid are speakers built in your monitor or standing on your desk. These are directly picked up.
• set the speaker to a volume as low as possible, so they are not picked up by the microphone
• use a microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern and make sure the speakers are well outside the pickup area of the mic