Comments on: Testing the Zoom H4, H4n, and Sony PCM-D50 internal mics

By: jim bachalo

jim bachalo — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:06:53 +0000

I can play the audio samples. What plugin are you using?

By: Graham Riches

Graham Riches — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:40 +0000

Its a close one with internal mics:

For voice reproduction:

H4n 9/10 - crystal clear
H4 9/19 - nice clear sound
Sony 10/10 - very balanced across the spectrum.

Noise level:

H4n 8/10 - has a very high sharp tone probably worst from the bunch.

H4 9/10 - with built in mics this has a relatively low back ground noise; not to fierce.

Sony 10/10 - Excellent. Very low background noise. Must say this has a very good pre-amp.

Guitar Recording:

Zoom H4n 9.5/10 - The reproduction is very good, Execellent mids/highs.

Zoom H4 8/10 - slightly muffled but overall an acceptable performance. (I think the recent H4 production with its redesign circuit board sounds quite better -no pulse noise either).

Sony pcmd50 9/10 - Also sound good but slightly laid back in comparison to H4n.

By: Jinerey

Jinerey — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:39 +0000

This is my honest opinion that non of the recorders are perfect but Sony is commendable performer. Zoom H4n can be quite irritating to the ears. While H4 is very muddy; not to my taste. I use Sound devices 702 and non of the above recorders comes close. If I were to recommend
I would probably go for Sony for more reliable and real life like performance and avoid other the two.

Jinerey
Sound Engineer

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:39 +0000

To me H4n sounds over equalised (its like setting high frequency beyond the scale). Sony is smooth, more balanced and has more quality to it. Zoom h4 sounds fine at certain areas but seems to have wow/flutter like digital jitter – is the SD card not compatible or not tested; its chopping.

By: Torley

Torley — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:37 +0000

Brad, this is SO helpful. Thanks VERY much. I'm still in the early stages of my purchase decision, but this has aided in informing me.

One thing I'm not absolutely clear on: can the H4n record DIRECT to a computer DAW like the H4 reputedly can? I was looking at Samson's info-pages and it says the H4 is the "only" one that can do that, so I'm puzzled. Thanks in advance.

By: A

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:36 +0000

Thanks for the test,
very helpfull.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:15:36 +0000

yeppers. what a bunch of pretentious idiots. http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/977u6/audiophile_accidentally_posts_same_audio_file/

By: Gyuri

Gyuri — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:08:52 +0000

Hi Brad!
I'm a beginner. How can I open the recordings?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:08:52 +0000

Hi Brad,

The three samples above (from "Audioo") disappeared almost 6 months ago.

Couldn't you embed the files again?

Please, we all appreciate!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:08:52 +0000

Hi Brad
Where are the 3 Audioo's samples above?
They are unavailable for 6 months.
Please embed them again... Please.

Thank you very much
Mark