Sound Comparison - Zoom H5 & Zoom H1n

Disclaimer: this is not a paid sponsorship, I am only expressing my own personal remarks on this product.
►Download the sounds files here: www.andrewrossounds.com/2021/...
I recently just received the Zoom H5 from Amazon and decided to do a comparison with it’s little brother, the Zoom H1n. Although I didn’t have the Zoom H1n for that long, I don’t plan on completely ditching it, as I would like to use both to their fullest advantage.
Immediately out of the box, I noticed that the size of the Zoom H5 is noticeably larger than the H1n. This is to compensate for the added features such as the 2 XLR inputs on the bottom and their corresponding input dials. It definitely had a sturdier feel to it but I didn’t feel like testing that part out.
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[@geraldhenrickson7472]

This was an amazing sound comparison. Thanks!

[@PostcardsFromJapan]

Excellent demonstration! That's how you do a sound comparison.

[@extendedp1]

Thanks for the video. I wish you had recorded the scenarios with both, at the same time, and switched from one to another in post every few seconds so we could hear the difference more easily. Or at least offered the fast switching as part of the review. I was listening with good headphones, and honestly couldn’t tell much difference between the 2. The input level on the H1n sounded slightly louder? Thanks

[@pirateradioFPV]

The noise rejection on the H5 is much better. I've seen the graphs, it has -120,5db pre-amps whereas the H1n is -110db. The mics on the H5 also have lower self-noise which all comes together on the vocals. H5 is a superior product but they both do great at their price points. With external microphones the differences are smaller, I've heard excellent results from the H1n with the binaural mics. That's what I was going to buy initially but found used H5 for not much more, so went with that instead. Maybe get the behringer C-2 set for it for laughs and giggles :)

[@davidlynch4338]

Great video! Thanks for demonstrating these two devices. I am planning on taking one of the H-series recorders traveling with me and using in with the 1010music Bluebox as a sort of mini-DAW. Do you know where the digital to analog conversion happens on the H5? Before or after the line out? I want to use the H5 as an analog microphone to get an acoustic signal into the 1010music Bluebox. Thanks for any info you can offer.

[@connectwithmayank]

nice comparison

[@bahutu802]

I might be silly, although I noticed a difference between them, in some aspects I even liked the overall soundscape of the H1n more than the one of the H5. For example on the balcony, I had the feeling that the H1n did catch a bit more of those background sounds (not background noise, but indeed audible stuff from the surrounding which was not so easily hearable on the H5). Same for the 'Matches' clip, I had the feeling that I heard more of the street sounds from the H1n (of course it might be a matter of taste if one is happy when those background sounds are lower, but for me personally, a stereo mic is about capturing both fore- and background, so I like it. On the other hand, maybe it's just all imagination and I'm just trying to justify before myself to buy the H1n soon :D By the way, you have an incredibly well formed speaker voice!

[@robertor.7319]

Agree, I had the same thoughts...

[@SatwakuChanel]

Agree with you

[@MultiPerson555]

Definitely prefer the H1n!! It's obvious the h5 is high quality/has a flatter response, but I think that also makes background sounds more flat and dull. The h1n just sounds.... delicious!! Especially the coffee. The water pouring on the h5 - just sounded boring. Predictable, lifeless. But with the h1n my ears naturally just perked up! I literally looked up from the work I was doing while the video was playing to see which mic it was and it was the h1n. Delicious! Of course the bass response is richer on the h5, but I have other mics for that. The "fun" factor of the h1n is reason alone to get it. My roomate had a zoom h4n and we barely ever used it because it was such a damn drag to get out. Heavy, 1 minute long startup time. Literally was just not fun. It sucked all the joy out of sound designing with how shitty the actual console and UI felt. Excited to try the h1n. Has a 6 second start up time according to other reviews. Still WAY too long for 2023, but hey - it beats a 48 second startup time any day. Literally any time we heard an exciting noise "should we get the zoom? Nope, sound will be gone by the time it starts up. true, okay." Useless! The fun factor really matters.

[@faouzii]

Still confused man, should I save some money for H5 or buy now and be satisfied for H1n? For outdoor singing purposes

[@1aratos]

Great comparison, especially liked the voice test, shows the cleaner and sharper vocals on the h5. Also I feel like the h5 has a lil bit more of an immersive sound (in general I mean), the results are actually really similar. Think I'm going to get the H5 because I'm looking for a mic that I can use as an vocal mic, some kind of drum mic, record sound effects and ambience as well. But was also considering the Tascam DR-44WL because I like the function where the X/Y mics double as A/B, which I find useful for my needs. Idk, for now, will probably get the H5 because the Tascam is more expensive here where I'm from.

[@Intimatycal]

dont go with Tascam, their field recorders have tremendous flaw, they easily interfere with everything and you get strange sounds because of it

[@1aratos]

@@Intimatycal went with the h5 and am very happy with it. the one thing that is a lil bit weird is that on lower volumes u have a bit of artifacts going on

[@IIZGod]

hey, could i please have some help. I am getting a digital recorder, should i get the Zoom H1n cardiod XY or the Tascam Dr-05X stereo omni AB

[@xxxxxxxyyyyyyy]

*Interesting. They are both very close. The H1N sounds sharper.*

[@VFXManiac]

H1n is more airy an detailed. Maybe try low-cut on H5.

[@Christopher-iq1fm]

can we use zoom h5 for Facebook live/zoom meeting? will he be affected by audio interference??

[@hanshart1413]

Would you reupload this sound files? Would love to compare them

[@JohnCUK]

Very little difference already bought h1n and fantastic and half price of other one

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

For vocals the H5 is much nicer. For noises like paper or matches i prefered the H1N.

[@vivianvaldi7871]

Paper sound is so important.

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

@@vivianvaldi7871 no serious music without a nice and crispy paper sound 🤔

[@Siaroslaw]

In this H6 is 2 combo imputs thats mean you can imput xlr or jack

[@bigmanlizard7326]

a noticeable different but for my purpose i dont think i can justify paying more than double for this difference great vid thanks for doing it

[@pirateradioFPV]

Wish it was just double the money but here it's 3x.

[@pighater951]

way over priced!!!

[@pirateradioFPV]

@@pighater951 Depends, if you NEED xlr it’s not that bad. F6 is 550€ 🤷‍♂️😂 I got used H5 myself, it was the same money as the h1n new.

[@MrBearitall]

Had to remember that people may do sound recording with these. Kind of wish there were more or better vocal test

[@PNJ452]

Hello! I use the Zoom H5 and the Sennheiser MKE 600. Would I get better sound if I recorded with the H8 instead? Thanks for any info!

[@rigocornejo4964]

No, the mke 600 is a good mike but if you want prodesional recording without noise get the mixpre 3

[@Intimatycal]

yeah, the noise floor

[@hanshart1413]

Matches ASMR 🤤

[@vek0vek0]

Thanks for the video, H1n sounds better, richer for everything exept the speech IMO.

[@vivianvaldi7871]

We don't need speech. It's for babies.

[@Rocashu]

which one do you recommend for recording loud noisy neighbors

[@citywalkwithme]

❤❤

[@AnOn-hh8tu]

what is the best for ambient sounds in forest for example? i have h2n and thinking to upgrade...is it worth it?

[@hardikpatel1598]

Did you fet yours best one??

[@AnOn-hh8tu]

@@hardikpatel1598 no

[@user-nl7ev8hh5k]

Zoom H1n звучит лучше

[@ibrahimzayed7700]

How much gain number u used

[@andrewrossounds6626]

I had the gain at around 6-7. I did the same gain for both the Zoom H1N and H5.

[@anything7087]

H1n is better airpods or iphone mic?

[@andrewrossounds6626]

​@@anything7087 In terms of sound quality and features, the H1n has much better quality than the airpods and iphone mic.

[@EternalMedia]

When is Zoom going to enter the USB-C world? Even APPLE is ditching their FIRE connection for USB-C. It's a real drawback that Zoom doesn't have a robust product upgrade cycle.

[@adokapo]

Most of people that are watching this video are probably fine with recording stuff with your phone.

[@antoniomontemuro9751]

h5 is so much better. It's amazing to notice how different they are.

[@andrewrossounds6626]

Absolutely!

[@Drvishnucnair]

H5 far better in quality