Отзывы о Диктофон ZOOM H2n

Really amazing product, best audio recording i've used besides studio equipment. The sound quality is out of this world for such a small and affordable unit. I really think it's the best Zoom field recorder as long as you don't need additional mic input options like xlr etc... I use this for podcasts, lectures, music etc.

My ONLY gripe (and why i didn't give it 5 stars) is that once you initiate recording, the plastic body is so sensitive that you CAN'T change any settings, including the manual gain, without recording a bunch of fumbling hand noise. So you really have to dial this in right and "set it and forget it".

I've had this recorder for quite awhile and I like it very much.i do a lot of karaoke recordings and the sound is excellent. The battery life is great. I'm very pleased with this unit.

this is a great little recording device. The quality of the recordings is excellent, the internal microphones work well. It is simple to use.

I use this as a backup and or primary recording device for my court reporting business.

The recorder could use a better more readable manual but like so many other products in the "information age", less and smaller is always better. A larger more legible font would have been appreciated. However, after battling through the startup difficulties were overcome, this is one of the finest pieces of equipment for doing open area audio recording that I have ever had the opportunity to use. It exceeded even many conference recording systems costing much more money...The fidelity made generating a written record of the conferences we were recording a piece of cake.

I've heard this latest Zoom acquit itself quite nicely, with a focused and balanced soundstage despite (not necessarily because of) the extra mic capsule. All the same, I sense some overhyping of the device. More mics do not necessarily equate to better recorded sound--one great-sounding microphone can perform wonders in reproducing the sound of, say, a Bosendorfer piano compared to 5 cheap ones. And the casing still does not have the solid metal feel of a recorder built to last (on the H2, a tiny plastic clip holding the card cover on to the machine proved an Achilles Heel, eventual requiring adhesive tape to keep the door in place).

The controls are still tiny, the menus many, the editing features excessive for such a small device. Serious audio enthusiasts will certainly choose to do their editing at a powerful desktop machine while running their preferred DAW. The attempt to pass off the H2 or H2n as equal to a professional system can only strike the more experienced as weak.

So given the difference in price and the proven reputation of the H2, which is the personal recorder that really opened up the entire field and continues to remain Zoom's flagship model, my preference leans toward the earlier model. The all-black color, the addition of yet a few additional editing features and submenus, and even the inclusion of yet another microphone can't disguise the fact that the H2n is a restyled H2, perhaps intended by Zoom to replace its predecessor should the market insist on a clear upgrade worth the marginal price increase.

If fact, I see that recently the H1 has overtaken both H2 models in Amazon's sales rankings. You can't go wrong on the price, the size makes it Zoom's handiest not to mention "truest" stealth recorder, the device has all of the versatility a user could want or is apt to use with its two adjustable mics that permit X-Y patterns, finally (but not necessarily least in importance) it's the one Zoom that can be learned practically instantly, taken to a night-time event, and operated inconspicuously, like braille.

As for more deluxe personal recording devices, Zoom's H4n can certainly compete with the best of them, permitting the use of 2 additional mics in addition to the two onboard ones for mixing while you record. But it has yet to prove its durability compared to, say, the tank-like build of the Sony PCM-50. So the relative newcomer may wish to hedge his bets a trifle without losing much quality (if any that's noticeable to the average listener) by sticking to a budget while going to the slightly simpler and less expensive H2 or the much simpler and much less expensive H1 for the time being. All three of the recorders in question have the same mics and produce sounds so similar that an owner is hard-pressed to distinguish among them in a blindfold test.

Zoom has misfired, it would appear, in their personal audio recorders with video capabilities--first with SD cameras and later with HD video-cams. The cameras defeat the purpose of stealth recording and are not of the greatest importance to audio enthusiasts. The video quality simply doesn't compare with either that of the best video cams or point and shot miniatures that include a video cam. Moreover, most point and shoots--the Canon SD1000-1400, SD780, Elf 300 and 310, the SD95--are capable of eliciting the "awe" factor with the quality of their images while leaving most users impressed by an unexpected bonus--not only hi def video but far better stereo sound than the photographer figured he had a right to expect.

Meanwhile, an audiophile would get great sound from any of the Zooms, but it would be what he expected. However, the video quality of either the Q3 or Q3HD is likely to strike most camera users as somewhat disappointing, not up to Canon images. So decide whether you're after sound or movies before making any decision. Then decide whether you would ever edit in the camera or plug an extra mic into the camera. If nor, you've limited the field to 3, with a price of little more than 50 separating the bottom from the top. If you plan to experiment with panoramic, or "arena" recordings, the H2 or H2n is probably your recorder (but besides price, factor patience, set-up time, editing into your decision).

If you simply wish to ignore the instruction manuals and capture Zoom-quality sound as quickly and conveniently as possible so you can dump it into your computer program for more serious editing, the inexpensive H1, which followed the H2 Zoom chronologically, may very well become, if not best of the bunch, the most used Zoom in your collection. (But in the meantime, always be mindful of the strides being made with iPhones and iPods, both now including mics that are making some of the former add-ons gratuitous (e.g. Blue's Mikey)--just as the built-in speakers of iMacs have begun to equal if not upstage numerous computer add-on stereo spe

Again, for the price, this is hard to beat. Packs decent internal microphones (at this price!), and easily connects to external mics. Not made for use in professional sound environments -- connectors are 1/8" (3.5mm), not XLR, and it doesn't provide 48V phantom for pro mics. But quality is excellent, convenience is high, and beyond simple recording with the builtin mics (in three quite different and useful modes), you can connect external mics easily. AND, an interesting trick, in 4-channel surround mode, if you plug in external mics, it uses the two primary internal mics and the two external mics and really does record four separate tracks. (You can't adjust the tracks independently, there's a single volume wheel for the whole recording session.)

My experience with all the recording volume automation has been negative (creating clearly audible pumping action whenever there's a moment of silence), but for some surveillance and dictation purposes they're probably useful.

My original Zoom H2 was a great piece of gear, it lasted 4 years before it became faulty. I needed another recorder asap so looked up the reviews and chose another Zoom, and this time went for the H2n, slightly different operation, I tend to consider it a little easier to operate, i.e. from the moment it is turn 'on' the H2n is 'primed' for recording, so One button push and you are recording! Other extra features are a speaker, and the speed down/up, and pitch down/ up. I use the zoom to send files to other band members.

Super little recorder! Compact, long battery life, and easy to use. Great for use for recording of music, spoken word, etc.

For the price and the compact format this is an excellent device. It can be used to capture ambient sound, music, or do interviews on the go.

Really good sound quality and pretty easy to use, even for a newbie like me. Just watch a youtube tutorial or two and you will be all set to get amazing sound.

This is the perfect device for a starting podcaster with a limited budget. It will allow you to record using a built in mono directional mic for a solo podcast or surround sound for a podcast roundtable! It's also great for backing up your podcast, live. Set it in the middle of the room, record your podcast and if your primary crashes, you still have a recording of your podcast. I also think that this accessory pack is ESSENTIAL if you are going to podcast with this thing.

Here's my Video review / Mic Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLAdbx7BARI

This thing is awesome! I've been attaching it directly to a boom pole to record a fan film and the audio has been spectacular. The plastic body does sometimes pick up motion really easily so it'd probably work better as a stationary mic, but with a wind screen over it, it does a fantastic job. Does a great job with directional recording as well. I love the analog gain dial that lets me adjust gain on the fly and the easy record start stop controls means just about anyone I hand it to can pick it up and be a boom operator. Can also be hooked up to your computer and act as a microphone for recording or even just a quick skype meeting.

Works as expected and then some. With the mic level all the way up the sensitivity is slightly beyond my range of hearing. It feels very light in the hands almost giving the impression its build quality may be cheap but it seems very solid after handling it for a couple hours. I'm not convinced the included accessory bundle is worth an extra 40 bucks but the items are useful. To give you an idea of how it works in action: I set it up with the mic level maxed on my front porch of just the birds around my house. When I uploaded the file to my pc and played it it sounded just like I was back outside; some of the closer birds almost clipped the recording level it is so sensitive. Just be aware it will pick up ALL of the ambient noises including even distant cars that you can barely here with your ears. I'm overall quite impressed with the quality and ease of use.

Excellent. Rechargeable batteries work well, last a long time. The sound quality is very good. I wish I bought this first. I got a Yeti USB for my desktop which is also great, but if I knew how good the Zoom H2N was going to be, I would have just got that. It's not cheap though, but you get every bit of what you pay for here. Easy to use. Too bad of the 32 B limitation though, but it's not a big deal as that is a lot of space to record sound. I wish this had Wi-Fi.

The quality of the surround sound is excellent. I am very happy with the quality of the product construction and audio. I would recommend this unit if you are looking for something small and portable with great sound recording capabilities.

recorder and accessories too complicated for this tech challanged mind--just wanted a recorder for a fun vocal class I am taking--this recorder would not add to the fun

Honestly everything here is really great and works well with the Zoom H2n. The only problem was that I lost the cable that connects the recorder to my laptop, so I will have to purchase this accessory pack again. It would be easier if each part of the pack was sold individually, but when it comes to quality, everything is spot on.

I have owned the Zoom H2n for two years and it has operated flawlessly. However, while the electronics are top notch, The plastic in this unit makes it feel like a toy. Within days of owning it, the "plastic" tripod threads became stripped and are totally unusable. That would not be such a huge deal except for the fact there there is no isolation between the individual mics and the unit's body. Every single touch by the operator is hear loudly on the recording. This is a show stopper for all hand held uses.

Whats worse is this problem is known by the folks at Zoom and in over two years they have NOT CORRECTED this obvious design flaw. A simple metal sleeve would solve the problem. Customer service at Zoom did offer to send me a new unit for the paltry sum of $99. I think I'll look into a N4n.

I purchased this recorder for my aunt so she can record her business meetings. The range of this product is great and the audio is very crisp and clear. I also found it relatively simple to navigate through the menu and settings. I only wish it came with an English instruction booklet instead of a Japanese one but I found the English .pdf online so it doesn't matter too much. I also love how you can connect a pair of headphones to this device so you can listen to what you are recording.

Works well with my Zoom. I really like that I can fit it all in one storage pouch (I use zippered neoprene pencil cases from Target). Very nice additions to my Zoom.

Very good quality recorder. I am very good with electronics and computers. So with that being said the menus of this recorder is just too confusing. I use it for board meetings and staff meetings the recording quality is amazing. The playback monitor is too quiet but you can connect to external speakers. I switched to MP3 mode just to take the tracks off a lot easier. The WAV formats are just too hard to mess with and get off. The software it comes with is really generic not really helpful stuff. Would have given it three stars but the recording is too good. Best bang for the buck. But the menus are horrendous.

For the price, it is a quick and efficient way to get a nice live recording. I use this mainly for my bands rehearsal, and live shows. We are a 5 piece Progressive Rock band so it can get very loud. I had to adjust the gain & limiter/compressor for a little bit to find the right settings but after I figured it out, the recordings sounds great! Whats important is that you can really hear the separate instruments clearly.

Make sure you read the manual and get comfortable with the settings, and you will enjoy this awesome affordable Recorder.

-The Accessory pack is adequate.

I love gadgets and this has a lot of buttons for someone like me to play with but the functionality doesn't make sense and it's hard to use. we keep deleting recordings mistakenly.

The accessories in this pack are simply handy devices that contribute to more efficient use of the Zoom recorder. The tripod enables secure elevation of the recorder . The wind shield lessens, and in some cases eliminates the noise of wind in an outdoor recordings. The molded case is the most useful of all of the accessories in protecting the recorder during storage and transporting it. It is roomy enough to allow storage of earbuds too.

Got this for our village oral history project. Very happy with it so far. I am embarrassed to say I couldn't find the battery compartment at first, but it is on the directions. am highly recommended from the State Library Oral Historian, and I think he's spot on - nice unit, unobtrusive, and doesn't freak out the interviewees, like a big microphone and setup might.

I am an amatuer performer and use this for my own recordings and rehearsals. I decided to purchase this after a friend of mind who has his own recording studio recommendation. He never owned one but said that he did a lot of reading on it and thought it to be a good purchase for the price. The first time I played a recording for him through my own stereo system, even he found it hard to believe that it was not recorded in a studio on professional equipment. This system is highly sensitive and you must record with the "Gain" setting very low. When I conduct live recordings in the surround sound mode, you can hear even the most minor movements of the audience. This is the best thing for the non-professional. In the hands of a studio professional, it is probably even more dynamic because there is no way I can utilize all of it capabilities with my limited experience.

I used this to record sermons. I only used the internal mic in the XY Stereo Mode. I only recorded in MP3 format. I just pushed record and set it on the floor under the first row of the sanctuary. Needless to say, I did not take advantage of the full capacity of the device. I chose it for the easy of interface. Once the settings are where you want them, you can show someone how to turn it on and press the record button. Pulling files off of the device onto a computer was really simple. I was surprised how sturdy it seemed. I expected something more fragile.
I couldn't get the software to install because the computer could not read the disk. Oh well.

As a musician, I wouldn't try to do studio recordings with this, but if I did a lot of capturing of ideas or wanted to record rehearsals for review, it would be pretty easy to work with and give the desired results. As little as I try to document ideas, my phone works just fine for that. It is small enough to fit into the storage area of a guitar case or gig bag, but it isn't small enough to carry around in your pocket.

Preamps are way too noisy. I didn't expect much but I did expect the mic pres to be quieter then the $100 model. In my opinion, they're the same. Don't waste the extra $50...

I agree with J. Burks "Bloink" regarding the poorly engineered play/select button. The one on the H2n unit recently purchased habitually sticks. Prior to returning the unit I gave it the once-over, twice-over and thrice-over. The internal microphones are of a quality one would expect for a recorder at this price point. Just for a test, I put a Zoom H2n mounted on an adjustable tripod stand against a smartphone with a $40.00 iRig Pre interface and a $90.00 Shure SM-58 microphone on a mic stand. Though the smartphone configuration was considerably more cumbersome, the sound captured by smartphone and its components excelled over the H2n. Also, the screen on the smartphone is larger and the playback speakers are superior. Adding another microphone and a very cheap two XLR input audio mixer, I can really do a nice job of recording vocals and acoustic guitar. Another factor that led to the dismissal of the H2n for my purposes was a menu structure that made it difficult to go from playback to a new recording in one quick touch. Also, in order to achieve something resembling a line level output signal from the combination headphone/line output jack, the Zoom H2n's volume setting needs to be at 100. The Zoom unit will be traded in. Here's hoping the equivalent Tascam product performs better. I would have rated the Zoom H2n 2.5 stars if permitted.

great for the price. Let's me create sound that's really three dimensional. Diverse control options makes my little projects sound like higher end products. Strongly recommend.

I bought this to replace my Canon Rebel T3i built-in microphone (as we all know, the Canon DSLR's don't have the best microphones). The difference is night and day. Significantly less background hiss, much more manual controls to dial in the exact sound desired. The body feels a bit more "plasticky" than I expected, but it does not feel cheap by any means.

As for the accessories, I have not tested every cord, simply because I have not needed them.
The SD card is not the kind I would use in my camera, but it is certainly decent enough to be left in the microphone.
The tripod is short, as expected, and holds it very well.
The earbuds are one of my few complaints, as they are not very good quality (and mine developed a short very quickly), but odds are a video or audio producer/fanatic will have a better pair lying around anyway.
By far, my favorite accessories would be the handle that screws into the tripod port, and the wind muff. The wind muff isn't top of the line, but it is definitely a decent accessory, and tends to give the microphone a much more professional look. It only partially obstructs access to some controls on the side, but that is easily contended with.

Pros: Much better sound quality, decent accessories, variety of uses, manual controls
Cons: Not much use for SD card other than for the microphone (not a true con), and poor quality ear buds

I also bought the HDE ® 1/4"- 20 Tripod Screw to Hot Shoe Adapter to mount the microphone to my DSLR, and it works perfectly.

just got it, and it kept saying NO SD CARD. I put the card in and took it out about 6 times, finally it read it. It's a no-name Chinese card, so you might wanna get a better one. The card cover where you insert it into the recorder is badly designed, hard to open and keeps wanting to close. Everything seems to work so far. The booklet says there is a CD for Cubase, but what you get are download instructions and a verification number, so don't fret. Now I need a case to keep all the stuff together...the case supplied only holds the recorder. The case has a strap, and the recorder has a strap attachment but no separate strap. Reading thru the booklet, there are a lot of functions and a bit of a learning curve, but you might not need all of the functions anyway.

Absolutely amazing sound. I used to have the tascam DR-1. No comparison soundwise, this blows it out of the water. I use the 5 mic option all the time. Batteries last for three concerts which is really great if you are a musician who records rehearsals and gigs. No need to find an AC outlet, you just need two AA's and you are all set. Highly recommended!!!

So far I have recorded acoustic guitar in my bathroom, my cat, and my son taking a bath...I recorded all in the XY and 4 channel modes....no matter the configuration, when I listen through headphones with my eyes closed it is like virtual reality for my ears. I have the quality on the highest setting 96k 24 bit. Everything sounds warm, crisp, and clear. The UI was very easy to get through and set up. The unit itself is very light but feels durable. I can't wait to take into the woods and record some sounds of nature. AWESOME!

This is a great kit to upgrade the Zoom recorder. The tripod, remote, and power supply are the most valuable parts of this kit for me.

The best part is the case, however it does not allow room for the other stuff so you have to look for another bag to hold the accessories. The power cord is too short. The stand is like super cheap and it slides around too much. You have to put something with grip underneath it like a mouse pad or something. The control is fine.

I basically only bought this accessory pack for the carrying case it came with (which is great), and didn't really expect to use any of the other stuff inlcuded, but low and behold after only a week or so having my new h2n i have used nearly every item included! The little remote is very convenient, since the zoom is so sensitive to handling noise, it is a breeze to be able to just start, stop and pause (something you can't actually do with just the zoom) so that's been convenient, as has the little tripod, just because it's very small and portable. I had it set up on a little table recording a live band practice, and then i just pushed the legs together to use it as a handle for a some handheld work. While I've already got dozens of the USB mini-b cables laying around my house, this one is nice and long, and it's always good to have an extra one. I haven't used the AC adapter yet, but in the strange circumstance that the TWENTY HOUR battery life of your 2 double AAs has been used up and you don't have time to get some spares, it's always nice to know you can rely on AC power if needs be. During the same recording session of the band i used the included mic stand thing, and so that was useful. i also extended a mic stand out to it's full length and used it as a sort of make shift boom for filming a video last weekend. The windscreen... meh. It is just your basic foam cover. I haven't bought one yet, but everyone reccommends either a R0de dead cat cover or one of the REdhead ones. I haven't really used the zoom outside too much yet, but it's on my list of things to get. Either way, for 30 bucks, there is a pretty good variety of useful items in this pack.

Great device. Superb performance, especially for the price. It has many recoding options — including stereo and surround sound. And it's great to make digital files from cassette tapes. Just pug any sound source into the Zoom input jack and record your new digital files. Also, some USB cords can provide AC power if needed instead of the 2 AA batteries.

I primarily use the H2n to capture my band's rehearsals and live performances. It's also a highly useful sketchpad for capturing ideas with a minimum of setup and fuss, particularly when compared to a computer based recording system.

Until recently I owned a Zoom Q3 (their handheld recorder with audio/video) which was either stolen or lost, and I replaced it with the H2n. Without getting into a lot of comparisons between the two, I can safely say that the H2n captures a deeper and wider sound field due to the additional mics and their orientation within the unit (Mid-Side and XY). The clear, detailed quality of the mics is about the same and I wouldn't be surprised if they are exactly the same in each device.

From here on, I'll talk only about the H2n. If you're not familiar with Mid-Side and XY mic patterns, I suggest a visit to the Zoom website where you can find detailed information on the patterns and features of the H2n.

There is a 4 channel surround mode which records in both MS and XY (the front and rear mics) and allows mixing of the two stereo tracks after recording. This is a great feature! You can adjust the width and depth independently by changing the level of each set of stereo tracks. This means you can dial in a more pinpointed sound when needed or capture a larger sound source like a band with very good results. The 2 channel surround mode records all 4 mics to a stereo track without the option of mixing the MS and XY mics separately after recording. This is handy when you don't want to mess around with mixing later, but still want a deep, wide recording. The other two modes are MS or XY only. All mic patterns are selected by rotating a dial on top of the unit. In all modes except XY, you can adjust the level of the MS mics before recording, which is another handy feature when you already have a good idea of how wide and deep you'd like the recording to sound.

The submenu implementation and access to features is well thought-out and about what you'd expect for a device with few controls. There are a few features that require digging deeper into submenu pages, but they seem to be placed by order of priority to how often most users would need access. The metronome and tuner are welcome features that both work quite well and they're surprisingly adjustable for such a compact device.

There are a few mostly minor drawbacks worth mentioning in the design of the H2n. First, when recording a fairly loud source like a band, the mic gain can't be set low enough to avoid harsh digital clipping when the band reaches louder moments. There are user selectable limiters built into the unit that would prevent the sound of clipping, but they shouldn't be needed since other Zoom handhelds can be set below input clipping. By definition, the sound of a recording that doesn't require limiting is always going to be more dynamic than what a limiter can achieve. It might be possible that software update can remedy this issue.

The other problem might be particular to my H2n, but the Play knob/button (it can be pushed in or slid up and down) usually gets stuck in the up position unless I'm very careful to apply minimal pressure, and I'm not applying much. When selecting options in menus, this makes the cursor scroll past the intended selection unless I catch it in time. While mine is still under warranty, I'm planning to return it for another unit that hopefully won't have the same stuck button syndrome.

One final drawback is the tiny mic adjustment wheel, which requires use of fingernail to rotate into the desired position, and because of its stiffness, it usually stops midway between positions, so you have to be ensure that the arrow is pointing directly at what you intend. I appreciate that Zoom built the dial flat into the top surface of the H2n, which prevents the pattern from being changed accidentally, but they could have made it loose when rotating the dial between positions with a stiff detent at each position.

Otherwise, this is a great sounding recording with a wealth of highly useful features and user adjustable options. I wish it included the power adapter, remote, tripod and mic stand mounts, case and windscreen, but it is understandable that this would raise the price of the H2n by $40, and not everyone might want the optional trinkets. I went ahead and bought all the goodies separately and they're well worth the price for how I use the H2n.

A recommended buy for musicians in particular and field recordists in general!

Our church purchases one of these little guys for each of our ministers so that they can easily record messages while on road trips. I also use them as an off-the-grid backup for studio recording. They are simply wonderful.

This is the ticket for recording garage sessions. Some of the best music is improvised then never heard again. This will help those moments live on. Read the directions so you can maximize your sound.

This is a great recorder. I still have not learned to use all of the features but have used it several time and really enjoy the good quality of the sound, especially when ear phones or ear buds are used. It is well made, light weight, and has so very many features. I am looking forward to learning to really use it up to it's potential.

Very good recording quality when used as an interface for recording analogue onto a memory card. Also very good for live recording, the best recorder I have used for live recording. Easy to get good results.

It's not user friendly. I have a lot of trouble using the settings. The sound is good but I could've done without for my purposes.

I like this product but don't use it any longer. The little interface on the front isn't that easy to read, not very intuitive and the whole device is mostly plastic. The end product (whatever you've recorded) sounds thin even if you've recorded a wav file. Turning wav files into Mp3 files wasn't an intuitive leap either....a little too complicated and not that great of a quality of sound on playback.

I'm loving my Zoom H2n and acc. pack and have had it for a few weeks now.

I just want to warn you all on how fragile and flimsy the remote extension
cable is. I was using it at a recent string quartet recording session and the cable
accidentally got caught underneath one of the music stands. Someone unaware
moved the music stand slightly, and the flimsy cable was spliced open. I wish
they would just provide a thicker safer cable so this would not have happened.
I can still use the remote itself, but it sure was handy having the extension cable
so I could move the remote pretty far away from the recorder. Now I'm forced to
go over to the remote or the record button on the machine to start recordings. I
haven't had much success finding a replacement cable, so if anyone knows how,
that would be much appreciated! It's hard to find a 2.5 mm to 2.5 mm male to female
3 ring accommodating audio cable.

Otherwise I've been very pleased with the accessory pack. I'm trying to be extremely
careful when screwing the tripod on and off of the Zoom H2n, as I'm worried about
the threads easily stripping. Having the tripod feature is very helpful!

I'd recommend getting this accessory pack to use with the H2n to make things easier for
your recordings. I'm saving big $ on using A/C instead of batteries, so am happy about
that!

I've owned Zoom's H2 for more than three years and have been a generally satisfied user. The H2N is a worthy upgrade, and all most people will ever need in a portable digital recording device.

The H2N is a high end consumer device, mostly aimed at people looking to record practice sessions or perhaps even to lay down a recording track. It is more than capable for recording interviews or meetings, but it's probably overkill if that's all you're looking for. Further, it's not an ultra-portable unit like some of the Olympus digital recorders; the H2N is the size of a chunky electric razor - almost intimidating to plop down on an interview table.

So why go with an H2N?

Zoom's improvements mean the H2N runs for 20+ hours on a pair of AA batteries; that's great for fill-and-forget operation. They've coupled that with support for HDSC cards. Throw a 32GB SD card in the recorder, a fresh pair of batteries, and you're off for an extended recording session or ten.

It's innovative mic arrangement will fit most recording needs. The MS (mid-side) mic is a three-mic setup capable of adjustable pickup width, from a forward mic (less than 30%) through 150%; Zoom has coupled that with a stereo (XY) mic with a fixed 90 degree precision on the "back", and you can combine the two for two-channel 360 pickup stereo or a four channel (dual stereo front-back) mix. There is a manual gain dial (range best suited for session audio levels), or you can select auto gain or auto limit capabilities (I've used auto gain for talking around a meeting table and it was great). Add to that the ability to record either WAV or MP3 in several qualities (including some settings I suspect are beyond the capabilities of the mics, or human ears...) and you've got a versatile unit that can run for long periods (e.g. ghost hunting EVPs) or take high quality samples for mixing.

If you're familiar with the older H2, you'll love many of the ergonomic changes and improvements to responsiveness and overall specs. Always-on mic level display, one-touch record, and the display is now on the "back" of the unit (or, more precisely, the MS mic, on side opposite the display, has been upgraded to being the primary mic) - lots of improvements over the old version.

My biggest nit (and I know some reviewers here will disagree) is the change to a rubberized SD card slot cover. I was fine with the H2's slide-out plastic cover and find the rubberized cover annoying to work around. As with most reviewers, I find the extra purchase price for the accessory pack aggravating (and since I already own an H2, mostly pointless - I purchased a USA Gear carrying case, have a spare Gorilla pod, and will use the wind screen and "microphone handle" mount from my H2 when needed.) One last thing of note: for best recording quality, don't hand-hold the H2N, or put it on a surface where it will pick up noise (e.g. the table holding your band's beer, or a wood floor); use a mic stand or tripod to isolate the recorder from stray vibrations.

If you're not looking for an ultra-portable unit, the H2N is probably the single most versatile unit on the market, and one of the strongest contenders for audio quality as well.

This recorder clips during loud rock band rehearsals in a small room. I tried lowering the gain and enabling compression to no avail.