After several months of use, I can confidently say this device has become a permanent fixture on my desk—and not just because I’m too busy to unplug it. The voice dictation works impressively well, saving both time and keyboard wear, while the video quality is sharp enough to make even Monday morning Zoom calls look respectable.
Whether you’re conferencing or simply attempting to look professional from your home office, the performance is consistently reliable. As someone with over 25–30 years in the IT industry, I don’t hand out praise lightly—but in this case, it’s well deserved.
In short, this is an excellent choice for everyday office use. Logitech continues its long-standing tradition of delivering quality products—thankfully, without requiring an IT support ticket to get started.
If only every piece of tech behaved this well, IT departments everywhere could finally take a proper coffee break.
Zoom H2n Handy Recorder
THE WORKHORSE OF FIELD RECORDERS
The H2n Handy Recorder is the only portable recording device to come with five built-in microphones and four different recording modes: X/Y, Mid-Side, 2-channel surround, and 4-channel surround. Other advanced features include automatic gain control and onboard MS decoding, plus effects like compression, limiting, and low-cut filtering. You can even use the H2n as a multi-purpose USB microphone!
USING THE H2N
With its multiple microphones and recording modes, the H2n can handle just about every kind of application. Here are just a few ways it can be used:
- Live recording of concerts and rehearsals, in either stereo or surround sound
- Location videography—the H2n gives you plenty of options in postproduction
- Creating audio for YouTube videos
- Generating lasting audio documents of important events
- As a USB microphone providing input to recording software
FIVE MICROPHONES,
FOUR WAYS OF RECORDING
The H2n offers not one, not two, but five built-in microphones. Two of them are arranged as an X/Y pair, while the other three are configured in an MS ("Mid-Side") pattern. They can be used separately for X/Y or MS stereo recording, or combined to create stunning 2- or 4-channel surround sound.
BATTERY LIFE AND RECORDING TIMES
The H2n requires just 2 AA batteries—either alkaline or rechargeable NiMH. Battery life when using alkaline batteries is more than 20 hours, even during continuous recording. Alternatively, you can use an optional AD-17 AC adapter, which allows you to power the H2n from any standard wall socket.
The H2n records directly to SD cards. It supports standard SD and SDHC cards, up to 32 gigabytes. The chart below shows the maximum recording time with different file formats and card sizes.
USING THE H2N AS AN AUDIO INTERFACE
The H2n's USB port allows it to send and receive digital data and to act as a 4-input / 2-output audio interface (enabling you to use it as a USB microphone). Simply connect the H2n to your laptop or desktop computer via USB, launch your favorite, and start laying down your tracks.
Specifications
|
Recording Media |
SD/SDHC card (up to 32GB) |
|
Built-in Mic |
MS stereo & 90-degree XY stereo |
|
Maximum Sound Pressure Level |
120dB SPL |
|
Recording Format |
«STEREO MODE» |
|
A/D Conversion |
24bit, 128times oversampling |
|
D/A Conversion |
24bit, 128times oversampling |
|
Signal Processing |
32bit |
|
Functions |
Lo-cut Filter, Compressor/Limiter, Auto Gain, Pre-Rec, Auto-Rec, Tuner, Metronome, Variable Speed Playback, Key Control, A-B Repeat, File Dividing, Normalize, MP3 Post-Encode, Marker, Surround Mixer |
|
Display |
128 x 64 pixel, backlit LCD |
|
Input Gain |
0 to +39dB |
|
Mic / Line Input |
1/8" stereo phone jack (Plug-in power supported) |
|
Input impedance |
2kO (Input level: 0 to -39dBm) |
|
Phones / Line Output |
1/8" stereo phone jack |
|
Rated Output Level |
-10dBm |
|
Output Load Impedance |
10kO or more |
|
Phones Output Level |
20mW + 20mW into 32O load |
|
Built-in Speaker |
400mW 8O |
|
USB |
Mini-B type, Mass Storage Class operation (USB2.0 High Speed compatible), |
|
Power Requirements |
AA/LR6 battery x 2, or AC adapter AD-17 (DC5V/1A/center positive) |
|
Battery Life |
20 hours (16bit/44.1kHz WAV recording) |
|
Dimensions |
67.6 (W) x 113.8 (D) x 42.7 (H) mm |
|
Weight |
130g (without batteries) |
