I'll have a detailed review of the Samson Zoom H4n recorder in the next week or so. But I can already tell you there are some things that Samson hit out of the park on their latest recorder, while there are a few things I wish were better thought out. For instance, the menu system and button layout is much better than on the original Zoom H4. But the SD card slot on the side of the unit is way too easy to open by accident.
But the most important thing is audio quality. I'll have more audio samples to share over the next few days, but I wanted to post a little shoot-out I did between the Sony PCM-D50, Zoom H4n, and Zoom H4 today. As you can hear, all three of these recorders have excellent built in microphones. All three are also subject to a fair amount of handling noise if you jostle them around while using those built in mics, but the rubberized grip on the Zoom H4n makes it easier to hold than the original Zoom H4, which means less jostling.
Zoom H4n audio sample:
Zoom H4 audio sample:
Sony PCM-D50 audio sample:
All three clips were recorded simultaneously and start out with me talking, followed by a little room tone. The clips end with me playing guitar. I seriously hope nobody listens all the way to the end all three times, because the guitar part - not so good. But I wanted to give you a sense of what music would sound like -- if it sounded better.
I should point out that the three recorders were laid out left to right. The Zoom H4 was on the left side of the table, and the Sony PCM-D50 was on the right. The Zoom H4n was in the middle and I was speaking directly into it, while the other two recorders were at an angle.
Of course, the real question is how the H4n performs with external mics. I'll have details on that soon.
Update: I've uploaded some audio samples recorded using 2 external mics, the ElectroVoice RE50 dynamic mic and AKG Perception 100 studio-style condenser mic.
Update 2: As has been pointed out in the comments, I accidentally used the wrong audio sample for the Sony PCM-D50 internal mic test. I've updated the post with the correct audio.
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I think the H4 clearly trails....
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 a very good pre-amp.
Guitar Recording:
Zoom H4n 9.5/10 - The reproduction is very good, Execellent mids/high.
Zoom H4 8/10 - slightly muffled but overall an acceptable performance. (I think the recent H4production 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.
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.
External Dynamic microphone will be interesting test where I will guarantee that Sony will be hard to beat!!
I would probably go for Sony for more reliable and real life like performance and avoid other the two.
Jinerey
Sound Engineer
check this site:
http://transom.org/tools/recording_interviewing/200703_recorder_reviews/
c how sony stacks up with the rest of the portable recorders using variety of mics.
That being said, if you need a multi-tracker, UNLESS your ears hear such a difference in favor of the H4 or the Sony, then your decision is made. If you don't need a multi-tracker, remember the sound system (not to mention the source material) can give you different results.
Googled about service of the H4 but found nothing...
I'm wondering if the h4n has the same problems when connected as an audio interface. I'm very skeptical of USB for audio...
(first, sorry for my bad english, I'm Brazilian Pro Musician).
Well friends,
All of us were "deceived" with these samples above !!
I realized this failure only now !!
Check out!! The above sample of the Sony PCM-D50 is exactly THE SAME sample of the Zoom H4 posted !!
Exactly the same !!
I already had realized that they were very same sound, now I could prove that. The are the same file !!
See the number of play reproductions from both, always the same !!
Or simply click in the Menu button inside the Audioo's square of each one, and see the URL of them, again: the same !!
Summaru, the same files !!
Regarding the Zoom H4n (the first player above) I do not know. Anyway, I liked this new Zoom H4n recorder. But the others two are the same file !! (PCM-D50 and Original H4)
Do not you realize that Brad???
I hope that this fault does have been deliberate from your part.
I admire your network.
But, which recorders do we really hear above ?? (H4, H4n or PCM-D50 ??)
I'm sad, because I spent hard time listening these samples, and now I see that I lost my time...
Sincerely !!
Ps. Sorry for my various exclamations ( !! ), but I stayed unresigned with that !!
NEW LISTENERS, DO NOT CARRY THE SAMPLES ABOVE IN CONSIDERATION, UNTIL THE OWNER DO NOT CHANGE THEM TO SOME CORRECT NEW ONES !!
Really, the H4 sample and PCM-D50 sample, are the same exact file.
So, besides the change of the samples, I think all the comments above should be removed as well, because some of them comment exactly about the difference between these two recorders (H4 & PCM-D50), when actually they are the same recorded file.
This situation teaches us that:
Let your ears work, and not the brand.
Brad, does this duplicate file refer to which real recorder? Sony PCM-D50 or Zoom H4? Which of them really captured that sound?
I've updated the post with the proper code. What you were listening to before was the Zoom H4. Now the Sony PCM-D50 internal mic test has been added.
Sorry about the mixup. I'm surprised I didn't notice it earlier.
And sorry for anything, but someone had to detect and to talk about this (fatal) failure, regarding these 3 audio sample comparisons !!
So, now, that means that all the comments above about the Sony PCM-D50 done BEFORE this date (April 20, 2009), are not valid, I'm sure ??
In other words, the Sony sample never was there !! It was the Zoom H4 !!
So, Brad, in my opinion, I think all the comments above should be removed, because some of them comment exactly about the difference between the Zoom H4 and the Sony PCM-D50, when actually the Sony sample never really was there !!
Greetings from Brazil !!
Ps. In this Zoom H4n video below, the guy playing acoustic guitar (on left) is from Brazil !! Your name is Kiko Loureiro. Check out this Zoom H4n video!!
Zoom H4n demo live from Winter NAMM 2009 featuring Kiko Loureiro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waf4A6P3bb0
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.
I've noticed that unzipping the downloaded file--"System.Bin"--appears merely to produce another zip file--"System.Bin.cpgz." Nothing resembling the downloaded file shown on the Zoom site. Also, I'm unclear about one thing: if I successfully install the upgrade, is it good only for the SD card that's in my recorder at the time of the installation? In order to use the H2 with the current Apple OS system, is it necessary to perform the download and installation with each new SD card?
Thanks for any illumination,
Cap
Well, Yes the H4n is much better than the H4. If it has mor bass on the voice than the others, it is more likely because it was in front of the mouth.
H4n and D50 have to my ears a good sound, much better than the H4. i've tested the H4n myself, and the stereo image is VERY GOOD on both 90 and 120 position.
The hiss seems much lower on the pcm-d50!!! (listen the beginning with a good headphones: there is ot much doubt!). The same with external mics.Thank you for your recordings, it helps a lot.
As the quality is very important for me, and I won't use phantom power, I will buy the Sony without an hesitation. Thank you!
- the record level of the H4n take is much higher than the other 2 takes
- the H4n mics are just in front of the audio signal, while the sony and H4 are on the side.
I'm sure that these 2 facts are changing the quality of recording, and make the comparison difficult.
In this configuration, the Sony PCM is first, then the H4, then the H4n (too sharp, and noiser).
I find it difficult to accept that the H4 sounds better than the H4n, so it's maybe these differences in the configuration of recording...
Say to me what you think about...
P.S : I'm not english native speaker, so my explanations may be confuse...
In my opinion, the (unintentional) experiment which is documented in those comments is far more important. People were describing, in a seemingly confident manner, detailed differences that just weren't there.
If you want to remove the comments just to save the face of someone who claimed to hear a difference :), just change the poster's name or whatever. But the comments themselves now serve a good purpose of demonstrating how powerful "audio placebo" can be, and how believable and confident the comments written based on it can be.
Best yet - preserved in the archives for blogs everywhere to link to - as is currently happening. Well done, lads. :)
Which gain setting did you you use in the H4 and H4n?
Thanks for these comparisons.
After listening to the files(i did not pay much attention to the H4 as im not interested in it), I felt that the D50 was much more 'airy' with an extended hf response but somehow lacked the bottom end on both the voice and guitar.
The H4n somehow was a little shut in but felt more warmer and pleasing to the ears. The lows also sound more rounded and fuller.
I think the choice now rests between what kind of sound you subjectively prefer. Somehow id like a bit of both!! But I have to make a choice and my money goes to the H4n. Just sounds so much fuller on the guitar.
Just in case you are wondering, I heard this through and m-audio audiophile 24/96 card, NAD monitor series 1000 preamp and Ultrasone Proline 650 headphones.
For several guys who work with audio for a living this is quite a good laugh. Maybe you need a new career douches.
the whole INTERNET is laughing at you guys. (im coming from reddit of course)
spotting the difference on 2 same files. good job !
shows what a hack all this audiophiles market is. same thing with wine, same thing pepsi/coke.
it's all the same !!
i'd like the blogger to acknowledge the situation and stops its blog.
Whoever you are...
While we know that everyone is having a good laugh over this on the internet, please do not involve the blogger in this. He has been kind enough to test the recorders for people like us who would like to buy one of them. He has acknowledged that he committed an honest mistake over the files and has corrected the error. It is the people who have made the comments who are at fault. We are having a good laugh ourselves over this. But this in no way undermines the work that he has done. And if you have half decent hearing you CAN clearly hear the differences in the recorders. While some of the people in the comments may be self confessed audio nuts who are blinded by marketing, there are serious audio engineers too who really know what they are doing and what they hear. So while you may be free to have your bit of fun, please don't insult anyone over here, specially not the author. Thank you Brad, once again, for your exhaustive review.
very helpfull.
The Zoom H4n with its built in microphones only:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG8nIZ24Ew0
Undoubtedly, very good internal mics.
Keep up the much appreciated good work. CL
Cap
I am quite overall disappointed with Sony, especially minding the price - thin, shallow and weak. Yet slightly below the others in terms of noise introduced.
H4n for music, H4 for voice will be my vote.
Oh ya and one more thing. My recorder does not seem to have the card slot door opening problem that Brad seems to have. Guess Samson have been able to solve that problem. So thats one less negative remark then! Although one thing that bugs me slightly is the seriously long loading time when using a 16GB card. But thats the only complaint i have for now... Will update as I use the recorder a little more.
Where are the samples?
Disappeared, the 3 samples above.