Zoom H5

528 Customer ratings

4.6 / 5

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62 Reviews

Zoom H5
659 AED 167,23 €
Plus 277 AED shipping
The price in AED is a guideline price only
Since we ship from Germany, additional costs through taxes and customs may be incurred
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1
a
Certain improvement over H4
audiocan 08.10.2018
I've extensive experience with H1, H4-n, H5 and H6, and I must say that H5 is my favorite.

Pros:
External mic preamps are very quiet, much better than H4
Handling noise is minimized thanks to the matte surface
Detachable internal mics makes it compact and much easier to use it for booming applications
I love the protective metal over the gain knobs
Works as an interface

Cons:
The internal mic quality is still disappointing (not a significant improvement over H4). You gotta turn the nob to around 8 most of the time to get a decent sound but taht introduces an awful hiss. Also, I find the high frequencies quite harsh, almost distorted even in medium gain settings.
Internal mics are way too frail, I broke a plastic part already when it fell from only half a meter height
Interface is tedious
No internal memory
Only 44 and 48 kHz operation when using it as interface (no 96)

Get this if you will mainly use external mics, the preamp quality is worth the upgrade from H4 ,and it's very affordable. If you don't need the extra inputs, I find H6 redundant, because sound quality is very similar if not the same. If you'll only need the internal mics, I'd recommend Sony D100, but that's in another price range. I'm afraid Similar units like Tascam won't be a big of a difference in that manner as an alternative.
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V
Upgraded sound, some downgrades in usability, for me
VilleV 19.08.2014
I now have the H5, I ordered it first thing and I?ve now tested it out the first time. After the H4 using it is a breeze, no real need for manual, it sounds great, BUT I?ve had 1) one serious problem and 2) another annoyance that I didn?t think of until using it in real life.

1) I use the recorder mainly to record my DJ sets, both the record out (of a Pioneer DJM900nexus DJ mixer) and the crowd/ambience, which I did the other night, but the recording is somehow messed-up. My set was a bit over two hours long and while the first hour was fine, starting around the two-hour mark (not exactly, though) there are digital glitches thru out the rest of the recording, making it unusable. I don't know what causes it and I?ll have to go back to the H4 until I figure this out. The SD card is the same 16GB one I've used without any issues with my H4 for several years, so shouldn't be that.

EDIT: I contacted Zoom support and was adviced to get a new (SanDisk) class 10 SDHC, which I did and now the recording is flawless. I don't understand this, as the old H4n was and is working just fine with my old memory card with the same sampling frequency and bit depth (44,1k/24bit), but I guess some specs have changed and the new one needs a newer spec card.

2) The H4 gain settings are done via the +/- buttons on the side vs. the actual gain pots on the H5. Most of the time I record a line level stereo signal out of a DJ mixer and it is REALLY hard to set the levels of both line channels exactly the same by turning the H5 dials/knobs, which affects the integrity of the stereo recording. Also, it was REALLY fiddly to adjust the gains to a level where it wasn?t way too hot or dead quiet, and even though you have the numbers on the dials, setting them up seemingly even yielded to a 1-2dB difference between the channels. It shouldn?t be that hard, I hope I missed something.
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10
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R
Rumpari 28.02.2023
It records with really good quality. Really versatile sound editing features. The surface "peels" over time in a strange way, which is surprising. Only wired remote control available. I would be very happy for wireless remote control.
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k
Excellent quality, very reliable
krissounds 17.08.2023
Have enjoyed using my H5 for a couple of years now. Has never let me down. Slightly marked down for handling just as I find it a bit finnicky sometimes using the dials/navigating the digital menu. But overall, top quality product delivering superior quality audio.
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AC
Only up to 48kHz with ASIO
Alexandros Chrysidis 18.05.2022
Although this little recorder is a dream come true as it is so much more than a tiny recorder, I'm afraid I would like to see a version 2 of it that can handle 96kHz with ASIO drivers. Although it can playback and record 96kHz as standalone, when you use it as an audio interface it will only go up to 48kHz.
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B
Very versatile and worth the money
Benjas 13.01.2021
I wanted to primarily record foley for use in music (sounds in nature or everyday objects etc.) but I ended up using it to also record band rehearsals and to record some friends' music performances (with the built in XY mic or with the SSH-6 - purchased separately). I have it for approx. 1 year and a half now and over time while getting used to it, its functions, workflow and its limitations I can say that it is a great device.

The sound is quite decent and the XY mic definitely delivers better sound than built-in mics from mobile phones or tablets. The amount of versatility this device brings is also quite astonishing. Being able to use it as a portable audio interface and having XLR/TRS connectors already brings a lot to the table.

The biggest downside is the high preamp noise which can be worked around if you sucessfuly sample a second or two of pure silence and then remove the noise in post production. The other downside is that when recording it produces quite a lot of handling noise if you're not super still. That's why I mostly use it on a stand.
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d
Handy recorder for interviews and field recording
damondimento78 08.02.2021
I'm not a professional sound recordist or musician. I use my audio recorders for conducting interviews and stereo field recordings of soundscapes.

I can compare to my other recorders. I own a Sony PCM-D100 which is better built and much quieter and more sensitive but it costs more than twice as much. The zoom H5 has the advantage of varied microphone options and two xlr inputs.

In terms of build quality the recorder is good, not as good as the sony, but it also doesn't pick up as much handling noise.

Great features- interchangeable microphones, multiple inputs.

In terms of noise floor- it definitely has some hiss at higher gain settings. I will use it primarily for interviews and location recordings and have found that a conservative use of the noise filter in my DAW will sort out most of the problems.

I already have one of the Zoom F1 recorders and several of the mics, so this fits perfectly in the ecosystem and gives me lots of options.

Overall for the price and features it's great
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T
Semi pro
TiagoVentura 27.12.2020
i bought this product to start a sound journey from a long passion for the nature harmonies but also for the consequence sounds of man made invensions.
i have little to no experience with audio recorders but i can tell that the Zoom h5 seems semi pro for the way is built and for the way the sound recorded is clean.
it is entusiastic for me to have this recorder because i can grow with it, with the numerous microphones i can buy for it and be able to record up to 4 tracks, separately.
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A
Best Portable recorder in this price range
Anonymous 28.12.2015
The Zoom H5 is a great successor to the H4n.
If you need 4-channel simultaneous recording, it is probably your best choice.
It fixed some of the main issues the H4n had, and added some new improvements as well:
1. No more problem with non compatible SD cards
2. -20db pad on XLR/Line inputs that allow it to be connected on +4dbu console outputs without clipping
3.Added a line out so it can be connected to a camera and headphones at the same time.
4.Added a -12db Back-up recording of the on board microphones, so it saves you from accidental clipping without having to record with a really low gain, or add a limiter.
5. Added the ability to "arm" only 2 channels when in 4-channel mode, so it is now easier to record what you need on the fly without entering the menu
6. New XY capsule is less prone to handling noise.
7. Interchangeable on-board microphones and the ability to remove them altogether when it is used as a 2 channel XLR recorder and save space.
8.A bit cleaner pre-amps
9. USB powered (great when using Phantom Powered microphones. Just connect an external portable USB battery)


Keep in mind that the new analog pre-amp knobs are easier to control on the fly, but they are not locked by the "lock" function, so you might need some tape on them if you keep it in your pocket
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G
Very good all round recorder
GavinW 04.03.2016
Ive had this a good while and recorded various stuff from sound fx to 4 channels of drums. The mice are really good quality and CAN handle very loud spl's. The tactile (touchy) level knobs are a great touch. You can SILENTLY change volume while recording if needs be.
Pro's outweigh the cons really but to be critical.....

It doesn't like recording very quiet sounds, effects, ambiences. You need to push the gain and then you are into hiss. Tried this with a Senn 416.

Only takes 2 batteries which is really odd. battery life is ok but from memory H4N takes 3 batteries and has a longer lifespan.
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Zoom H5