Is the Zoom H1n Better than the H1?

Here is our review of the Zoom H1n and see how it compares to the original H1.

More info on ZOOM H1:

More info on ZOOM H1n:

Giant squid audio lab Lav mic:

[bangscutter]

The whole point of getting this simple audio recorder, is for run and gun recording, where you want everything simple and straightforward. The original H1 is simpler for this purpose. The physical buttons on the outside makes it easy to set what you want, while the new H1n requires you to change it in menu. Battery is a huge deal too, and I much prefer using the single AA battery in the old H1, since I already have rechargeable AA batteries for my flash lights. Otherwise, the sound quality is pretty much identical for both. The slate beep function on the H1n is neat, but not necessary. One can always simply just clap with your hands to get that click waveform for syncing.

[Yet_Another_Steve]

2024. I bought a new unused H1 for £30 on eBay. The battery, the gain dial vs the side buttons when a windshield is fitted and the single record button on the H1 vs the multi buttons on the H1N on the front made the H1 stand out as the better option for me.

[latebloomermusic]

A little heart breaking to see this H1N days after I bought H1. But yes, thanks for sharing your views. Really appreciated the concise content.

[RichardsWorld]

Nice review. I'm also not a fan of the different batteries. I want to buy this to use with my original H1 when traveling. Now I need different rechargable batteries and charger.

[snapbackhijab]

Damn son. You look completely different. Haven't watched you in about two years.. Even at that point you were making gains. Secret? 🙏🏽

[davitogrubba]

the biggest improvement on the H1n, and the only reason I replaced my ancient H1, is that on the new version input monitoring can be turned off while in audio interface mode! The H1 headphone jack is always monitoring the input preamps, so no matter how low you turn the input gain, there will always be a bit of extra hiss and handling noise. Not the end of the world, but I use my H1 as audio interface for my portable "studio" setup and it was really annoying. I still have it though, I actually record the output of my H1n into my H1.... don't ask haha

[ryanvincentjaeger]

It sounds like there are some phase issues/capsule irregularities with the internal mics on your H1n...
Has anyone else who has purchased this recorder experienced a similar issue? This is the only test video that I've heard where it sounds like that.

[Monscent]

The H1 might seem "plasticcy" but Ive used one for 10+ years, not been careful at all with it, and its working just fine.

[larjsy]

A simple frequency analysis on your voice tests confirms that your voice signal generating frequencies as well above 300 Hz...sounds kind of bass-y.

[nerwin]

Yeah the H1N might have slightly better sound quality using its onboard mics but using external mics plugged into both the H1 and H1N will probably be identical. The question is, do you upgrade to the H1N for minor improvements? I don't think so. I just recently modified mine to have a metal 1/4-20 jack. If mine breaks, I'll probably just get the H1N at that point but for now, I don't see any reason to. Although, the H1N looks much nicer and has better screen.

[armanimakingbangers]

I'd say the H1n sounded fuller and warmer in this particular test using the internal mics. As for battery, I prefer dual AAA batteries as oposed to a single AA battery because most reachargeable batteries can only be charged to at a time.

[XxXxDominator]

good review but the h1n has much more noise in the sample then the h1 especially on that 1st internal mic test

[edised]

I can hear a massive difference between the internal mics recordings, actually the original H1 sounds better...

[PaulMDiaz]

Very nice review! Plenty of info and straight to the point! 👍🏼👍🏼

[autumnstorm]

The H1n white edition is $99. *on Amazo.

Also, I prefer the sound on the H1n.

[bridgetdugas]

Are you able to pause the recording on the H1n?

[stevezimmerman]

The gain can still be adjusted when it's on HOLD. That is not a good thing. Staying with the older model.

[kmartyCZ]

I think nobody mentioned one, for someone crucial, thing. How long battery lasts when Zoom is off.
According to consumption here are theoretical values (based on claimed minimal capacity of Eneloop AA(1900mAh) and Eneloop AAA(750mAh)):
Zoom H1:
Off: about 10-11days (!!!! its consumption when is "completely turned off" is about 8mA! First series had this issue even worse)
On: 15 hours
On(+backlight): 12 hours
Recording: 13 hours (very fuzzy, consumption when recording is not constant)

Zoom H1n:
Off: 3 years, 62 days and 9 hours (theoretical, hadn't chance to test in real. Measured consumption is about 27uA(0.027mA) so I guess there will be some accuracy error)
On: 14 hours
On(+backlight): 12 hours
Recording: 13 hours (same measuring issue as on H1)

So when you keep/forget batteries in Zoom when not using it, there is HUGE difference how long they last in the device.

(In real life values will be somewhat lower. These values are just theoretical, doesn't include premature shutdown because of Zoom "low battery" logic and so on)

[dotdissonance]

Thanks. I''m still deciding what to get for my stuff but this helped a lot.

[armanimakingbangers]

Great video! Production quality and performance is spot on.