jellybaby-
For video calls aren't you better with headphones of some sort to eliminate echo?
It depends on whether you're using the same audio device for both the speakers and microphone or not.
There is a discreet circuit in almost all audio hardware that is super cheap to add and has great effect... AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation). It's basically a small bypass from the output to the input that negates the signal at a small latency and effectively wipes out echoes.
The dotted line is the magic... that carries the output signal, inverts it, adds a tiny latency, and it's applied to the input which cancels out the echo.
But it only works if you're using the same device for input and output.
So if both your mic and speaker are in your laptop... it works. If both the mic and speaker are driven by an audio interface... it works.
But if you choose an external mic and the internal speakers, or external USB mic and headphone jack speakers... then it doesn't work.
This is why things like Zoom and Google Meet will suggest you to use the same device for both input and output, as then they get the AEC removing echoes and low level feedback for free.
It's also why if you look at something like the Rode NT USB mic http://www.rode.com/microphones/nt-usb you will spot a headphone jack on the side. Now why would a desk mic need a headphone jack? Well... so it can have a signal that can go to external speakers and utilise the AEC chip. So if you buy a mic that has a headphone jack use it... otherwise you need an audio interface like the one I have which you can plug speakers into.
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Velocio
It's all been incremental so it's hard to assess like that.
But priority for others I would say:
A good mic really makes a difference for how you're perceived, there's a lot of evidence for this and I can't count the times people will fall silent and listen (nor the number of times I am asked to make ASMR videos or have a podcast).
Then the lighting will improve even a built in webcam, so even if you just bought a basic webcam the lighting helps a lot. These lights are indirect... the light is diffused towards you, and you can control the colour temperature and brightness precisely. The lights make all the difference.
The camera and lens are good... but it's deep into diminishing returns, a good webcam would've been just as good for most of the usage but I already owned the camera so this just worked out. This is the biggest signal to others that I've got a good setup, people can see this through the way the shelves behind me are perfectly blurred... but it's not necessary, I'd say the microphone is necessary, lighting optional, camera a luxury.
For me the priority probably goes:
These is my putting tactile points (bum, elbows, wrists, fingers) first... and then going for what I appreciate most next. Good speakers have made meetings less tiring, and music more enjoyable... I'd easily give up the good monitor before I gave up the speakers, so the speakers win.
The sit/stand desk is a luxury too. I could've achieved similar for less money, or just not bothered at all. But it has made the room very clean and tidy.
I advise engineers starting what to spend their hardware budget on and typically recommend the microphone and small speakers, along with a good webcam and some lights. Keyboard and mouse is personal, the rest is up to them. They have a fixed budget, but can choose how to spend it... i.e. they could buy the mic I have, or they could buy a Rode mic for half the cost and put the difference towards the lighting whilst leaving enough for a good Mac.
Most people where I work have this mic or something quite close to it, small speakers, a ring light or Key Lights, and then a Macbook or Thinkpad. Not everyone has a monitor, most use built-in webcams... but the mic, speakers and lighting almost everyone has.