Comparing Zoom H5 and H4n Portable Recorders

Best Portable Recorder with Built-in Mics: Zoom H5 vs H4n

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

  • Sound Quality: The Zoom H5 offers superior clarity and a modular mic system.
  • Battery Life: H5 lasts up to 15 hours; the H4n only about 6 hours.
  • Build Quality: The H5 is ergonomically designed for long sessions.
  • Input Flexibility: H5 provides better control over gain levels.
  • Price Consideration: H4n is a more budget-friendly option.

Table of Contents

Setting the Scene: A Quick Overview

Let’s start with a little context. The Zoom H4n has been a go-to recorder for many audio professionals for years. Its versatility, ease of use, and solid audio quality made it a favorite in the field. With the arrival of the Zoom H5, however, things shifted. The H5 is touted as a substantial upgrade, and I wanted to see if it truly lives up to the hype.

Before I fired the devices up, I made sure to do my homework. The online consensus heavily suggests that the Zoom H5 eclipses the H4n in terms of audio quality, build, and features. So, I plugged in my own mics, set the gain levels, and prepared for a serious sound-off.

First Impressions: Build Quality and Usability

When it comes to the physical feel of these recorders, both have their merits:

  • Zoom H5: Weighs in at roughly 269g and is ergonomically designed, making it easy to hold for long recording sessions. The controls are laid out intuitively, allowing you to adjust settings without fuss.
  • Zoom H4n: At 294g, it’s slightly heftier but not by much. The H4n has a more straightforward design, albeit slightly dated compared to the sleek H5.

Upon holding both, I actually preferred the H5’s contours and balance in hand during my outdoor recording tests.

Testing Phase: Side-by-Side Audio Quality

Let’s get to the meat of this review — the sound quality. Both devices have built-in mics, but that’s where their similarities end. After setting both recorders up in the same outdoor environment filled with lively chirping birds and rustling leaves, I hit record.

Audio Comparisons

  1. Sound Clarity:
    • Zoom H5: The clarity was remarkable. The sound captured was cleaner, with a natural warmth that stressed just how good the upgraded preamps perform. It felt as though the audio opened up, providing a rich stereo image.
    • Zoom H4n: It didn’t fall flat, per se, but the sound was noticeably more “boxy” and less immersive. I felt like I was hearing echoes of what the H5 captured, rather than the direct sound.
  2. Versatility of Built-in Mics:
    • The H5 features a removable modular microphone system, which means you can swap out mics for different recording tasks. This feature opened up a range of possibilities for me during my tests, allowing me to experiment with different mic capsules for various acoustic environments.
    • In contrast, the H4n’s built-in mics are fixed. While they do a decent job, they simply lack the adaptability that the H5 delivers.

Battery Longevity: A Game of Endurance

In the field, battery life can mean the difference between capturing a fleeting moment or going home empty-handed. Here, the H5 continues to shine:

  • Zoom H5: Rated for up to 15 hours on a set of AA batteries, I was astonished at how long it lasted. I recorded for hours, switched the settings repeatedly, and it barely budged on the battery indicator.
  • Zoom H4n: On the other hand, the H4n holds up for about 6 hours, which isn’t terrible but feels painfully short once you fall in love with the H5’s runtime. I found myself constantly checking the battery level, which isn’t great news when you’re deep in the zone capturing sounds.

Inputs and Recording Flexibility

Both devices feature dual XLR/TRS combo jacks, allowing you to connect external microphones, but the differences emerge swiftly in recording capabilities.

  • The H5 allows for true line-level input and has greater flexibility in gain control. This proved invaluable during my recording tests. I was able to set optimal gain levels without fearing distortion, which can be a critical point during interviews or music recordings.
  • While the H4n is competent, I found the older preamp designs limiting. It was relatively easy to push the gain too high, resulting in unwanted noise.

Display and Navigation

When it comes to readouts, both devices have backlit displays, which I found comparably sufficient. However, I did appreciate the H5’s slightly better overall visibility and more intuitive navigation options for quickly adjusting settings mid-recording.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

After several hours of testing, the conclusion seemed almost too obvious, yet I sat back and reflected on the pros and cons of each:

Feature Zoom H5 Zoom H4n
Built-in Mics Removable, modular XY Fixed stereo XY
Preamps Higher quality (H6 type) Standard (older design)
Max Battery Life Up to 15 hours Up to 6 hours
Inputs 2x XLR/TRS, modular 2x XLR/TRS
Display Backlit LCD Backlit LCD
Size/Weight 269g 294g
Audio Quality Cleaner, more natural Good, but less clear
Price Higher Lower

Conclusion: The Clear Winner

Based on hours of audio tests, meticulous notes, and my own personal experience, it’s clear that the Zoom H5 stands tall as the best portable recorder with built-in mics. The audio quality is significantly better, the features are more versatile, and it won’t let you down in the battery life department. However, if budget constraints are a strong factor and you’re just dipping your toes in audio recording, the H4n won’t steer you wrong either.

For those ready to elevate their recording game, the H5 is where it’s at. Don’t miss out on checking out Geeksper’s recommended gear, where we curate the best in audio equipment for creators just like you!

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