I guess it all depends on what your using them for. If you use them for bird watching or animal watching I would like the capability to use audio. The big thing is that if your going to use the microphone as one of its selling features, then you should be able to use the dang thing. IMHO
You know if X10 put this kind of info out BEFORE everyone bought one they wouldn't have all the returns or rants that they have. Now there selling a product that you can't use completely. X10 just got on Facebook and responded to my post saying yes the ones going out right now don't have audio, but there contacting the factory to get the audio ones.
Why sell the dang things then! Wait just a little bit and sell it with the receiver that its supposed to have. Now all the users that bought this little gem are probably going to be upset and want to return the items, because now they have to buy another receiver later to get something that they already paid for.
Don't get me wrong, I love X10 products, and I have them working, but come on X10!
Just my 2 cents.