List Price: $49.95
Sale Price: $41.49
Today's Bonus: 17% Off
- 21 - 20,000 Hz frequency response
- Semi closed back
- Neodymium magnets with copper clad aluminum voice coils
- Super thin 40mm diaphragm
- Gold plated stereo
Showing posts with label headphone repair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label headphone repair. Show all posts
JTS HP-535 DJ Mixer
List Price: $49.95
Sale Price: $41.49
Today's Bonus: 17% Off
Comfort Fit IPX-7 Waterproof / Sweatproof Ergonomic Headphones Works with Samsung Galaxy S4 S IV ,
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $14.99
Today's Bonus: 50% Off
These stereo earphones work with the Galaxy S4 audio jack. The plug is a 3.5 mm 3 rings (no mic) and they work. I have been searching for something like this for quite a while. I like the over the ear hook earphones as they do not fall out when you are active. The insert earphones fall out to easy. This earphone has and interesting inner ear hook to keep the earphone in. It is comfortable.
It does not have a mic but that is what I want. When I run or cycle I am not interested in stopping and taking a phone call. I just like to plug the earphones, set the volume and go.
The sound is fine. I am running and cycling not sitting down trying to worry about sound quality, as long as it is good enough.
These earphones should work with any 3.5 mm 4 ring jack found on smart phones. They just play the music or radio.
The plug is narrow so should be better at fitting if a case is on your smartphone. Make sure your plug is pushed fully in. There can be a bit more resistance in that final sitting of the plug on any 3 ring earphones in a smartphone jack.
MXL Studio1-USB USB Desktop Recording Kit
List Price: $129.95
Sale Price: $104.95
Today's Bonus: 19% Off
- Frequency response is 40Hz to 20kHz, sampling rate is 44.1kHz and 48kHz
- No special drivers required, Mac and PC compatible
- Includes USB cable, desktop stand and carrying case
- No Special Drivers Required
- Mac and PC Compatible
- Frequency Response: 40Hz to 20kHz; Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz and 48kHz; Inlcudes USB cable, desktop stand and carrying case
- No Special Drivers Required; Mac and PC Compatible
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If you're looking for a good sounding microphone that is far superior to any standard PC microphone, this is a good choice. However, the most unique feature that set's this microphone apart the headphone jack is a real disappointment. It is *NOT* a realtime feed from the mic. Rather, the headphone jack is the output of a USB sound card that is integrated into the Microphone. There is significant latency between the microphone input and the audio output, so much that it really is useless as a recording monitor. This feature doesn't allow this microphone to be distinguished from any other USB condenser mic that lacks an audio output.The headphone jack is possibly useful for setting levels, etc., when you're working with a PC that lacks a sound card, or need to have the microphone a significant distance from your p.c. or laptop. If you have a long USB cable and need to roam, maybe the headphone jack is useful.
There are many good points about this mic recording is warm and full sounding; you do get that 'NPR' sound. While the mount is light, it's adequate. The 10' USB cable is quite generous, and the hard plastic case has pre-cut foam and is a nice touch.
Overall, I am satisfied with the product, but I am disappointed that the promising feature the headphone jack for real-time monitoring, is not what it is implied to be. It is a USB sound card and suffers all of the latency of your internal sound card.
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I'm disappointed. I'd read good editorial reviews about it on other sites, but neglected to read the user reviews here on Amazon -the latency issue with the headphone jack would have been a deal-breaker for me. The sound quality of the mic itself is nice for the price, but I found there was a background hiss possibly due to the inexpensive USB interface; I've noticed the same problem with other sub-$100 USB interfaces, and suspect they all use the same chip/circuitry. Acceptable for podcasting, interviews, etc. in the field where the built-in USB interface is less cumbersome, but not for serious voice work in a home studio. You will definitely want a shock mount if using a floor mic stand, as it's very susceptible to picking up stand thumps.Read Best Reviews of MXL Studio1-USB USB Desktop Recording Kit Here
This microphone is as described, and I highly recommend it for the home-studio enthusiast. It was completely "plug & play" on my XP laptop and I was recording immediately with no hang-ups or need for extra hardware drivers. The mic picks up high and low frequencies nicely, but I recommend buying a windscreen to cut down on "Ppops." The carrying case is durable and the foam inlay protects all the components in seperate compartments. A well-designed package, overall.MXL Studio 1 USB Microphone with Headohone Jack, Desktop Stand, USB Cable, and Carrying CaseWant MXL Studio1-USB USB Desktop Recording Kit Discount?
Here is my review.
Onkyo IE-FC300 In-Ear Headphones, Red
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $99.00
Today's Bonus:
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This reviewer currently has three pairs of Shure earphones, the E3 Shure E3c Sound Isolating Earphones and SE425 Shure SE425-V Dual High-Definition MicroDriver Earphone with Detachable Cable (Metallic Silver), and a mic equipped older version of the the SE215 Shure SE215-CL Sound Isolating Earphones. Of course the preference is for the more expensive SE425. The Shure E3 has a bit more treble bias. The SE215 is mostly used for phone calls and in a pinch for music; they seem a bit dull compared to the other Shures. Both the E3 and SE425 sound great, providing good definition at all frequencies and sound levels. Additionally all have great isolation properties due to the fact that well fitting earplug options do block out much outside sound. Now the Onkyo IE-FC300(R) at a lower price point comes along.
Out of the box the Onkyo earphones (or "in ear headphones") come with a durable black oval shaped carry case which contains three sizes of soft rubber covers for the earphones in addition to the pair already installed on the FC300. Most noticeable is the red connector cord. The cord is flat and these types of cords are naturally tangle resistant; something very much appreciated for those who hate untangling things. Simply letting gravity untangle cords is a glorious thing!
The earphones themselves have a piano black finish, with a metal silver tip and Onkyo branding on the body. They are marked L and R.
Onkyo must have recognized a weak point in some earphones can be the connection between the cord and the earphones; for this user, hard wired phones have failed and the entire unit needs to be sent back. Additionally, a removable cord can make a microphone option available, so listening and talking on the phone are seamless. (This Onkyo FC300 does not come with a microphone). With a hard and satisfying click the Onkyo connects securely to the earphone. As for durability, this connection could fail or generate noise or static when moved, and time will tell. The same doubts existed when the Shure SE425 was received, and that unit has lasted over a year now with no connection issues or detectable noise with movement.
Over a week, for 3 hours a day, these earphones were tested in mostly quiet highway drives with a variety of music on an ipod running 256+ kps and ALAC music. This user has preferred over the ear use with the Shure earphones, and after spending some time with the Onkyo in this same over the ear listening configuration, found that the under ear position seems to provide better fit and isolation. This may be due to the relative size or configuration of the Onkyo earphones with a slightly more elongated shape and definite fixed position of the earphone itself. In any case, most users will find a position and earphone cover that will satisfy proper fit.
Listening to orchestral music (eclectic Art Zoyd) with multiple violins the definition and rich quality of the FC300 was noticeable. Bass oriented Meat Beat Manifesto with some super deep (normally) room filling low frequencies showed that it is possible to feel and hear these sounds with an "in ear headphone". No distortion was heard even at much higher volumes during short tests. There are no outstanding or obvious frequency boosts or biases with seemingly smooth response over the listenable range. This was surprising in this price point, as these phones definitely sounded like a more expensive unit, not SE425, but for the price point, very competitive.
Sound isolation was acceptable. Over time, this user has grown accustomed to the fit of the Shure phones and found that sweet spot for both insertion and size of cover that provides optimal isolation. (In fact, and as indicated in a prior review, this isolation can beat out active noise reduction during air travel). The FC300 did let some road noise in. Letting the phones hang down rather than over the ear helped reduce noise further. Again, over time and maybe with trying some other size covers, most users should be able to find an optimal sweet spot.
If there was a weakness of the Onkyo FC300 it might be that it is almost too stylish and visible. Most earphones have an ability to disappear during use but that is next to impossible with the larger size and visible red cord with the FC300. This is probably nit-picking considering that many listeners now use much larger headphones for personal and portable listening, in addition to the brighter colors being presented not only for headphones but also other earphones.
Summing it up, the Onkyo FC300 in ear headphones provide wonderful balanced listening in a competitive price point. The FC300 sounds more expensive than it is, and is recommended for people shopping in this price point.
Plus:
Balanced sound
Surprisingly strong bass response
Great tangle resistant cord
Break resistant connection from cord to earphone
Multiple options for different size ears
Good fit when hanging down
Stylish
Minus:
A bit larger than many other brands (visible)
Stylish (!)
Noise isolation highly dependent on how well it fits
Over the ear geometry and fit works but not as good as "hang down"
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I could not be happier with this pair of in ear headphones. The sound quality is so far and above what I was expecting from an in ear headphone set. As far as sound quality they are definitely worth your money and I think they sound just as good as a full studio style set. I am constantly amazed at how well they handle some of the softer moments in jazz, but it also really opens up with some of my favorite rock albums. This is a very versatile headphone set.I also love that these headphone cords are flat and are tangle free. One of the most frustrating experiences in life is spending 15 minutes trying to untangle those headphone wires again. With the Onkyo you can simple dangle the headphone cords down and let gravity do the work.
However, these are not the headphones for physical exercise. Unless you are sitting on an exercise bike, these ear buds will not stay in your ears.
I do highly recommend these headphones if you want to be able to enjoy a great listening experience for music or video, but these are not for you if you need headphones for the gym.
Buy Onkyo IE-FC300 In-Ear Headphones, Red Now
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I have mixed feelings about these earbuds. While they have excellent sound and seem to be constructed rather well, there are several things that make them impractical in some situations. I think they are best suited for everyday casual use, where "better" sound quality is desired.These arrive "unassembled", which was new to me. The earbuds are actually detachable from the cable. They fit together on gold connectors. The idea is that the cable can be replaced -if you want to swap out colors or maybe if it gets damaged. It's a good thought, but it adds to the weight of the overall product.
The earbuds for these are HUGE. They fit into your ear like a normal earbud, but they have an incredibly large, oversized driver to deliver great bass (which they do), but as a result, these are heavy on (or "in", if your prefer) your ears. I do find that the rubber tips hold the securely in my ears, as long as I'm not moving around much. They are bigger -they look bigger, they feel bigger, and they are heavier. Keep this in mind.
I don't like the cable. The cabling is flat, which is supposed to prevent tangling and kinking, but honestly I don't think it's that much of an improvement. Like normal cables, it starts in a single cable, then has a plastic block after which the cable splits into the separate "L" and "R" channels. I feel like the cable itself is heavy. I like to think of the material and feel like a non-elastic rubberband. I've found it can still twist in awkward ways, and the cable ends up transferring a LOT of sound to the earbuds. If the cable moves against your shirt, you will hear it. Because the earbuds are already heavy, the additional weight of the cabling (including the center block), makes you realize you are wearing headphones.
However, from a sound-quality perspective, I really like these. The bass is probably the best -yes, the best -I've ever heard in an earbud, and I've tried many of the last couple of years. The midrange (especially vocals) are clean, and the treble remains crisp but perhaps not as "bright" as I prefer. They seem extremely well-balanced. I listen to a lot of different types of music, and I would rank these among the best "over the ear" headphones that I have used. They close off sound from the outside (isolate noise), but unfortunately noise transfer from the cable frustrates me.
They can be driven rather loudly with no distortion, but they seem to require a higher volume setting than other earbuds I use. This may be because they have a bigger driver. I can turn the volume up all the way on my media player with no distortion.
From a use perspective, don't expect to do any physical activity with these. They will not stay in your ears, and the noise transferred by the cable to the earbuds (think "string and cup telephone"!) is extremely distracting. These are good for sitting still, walking about (marginally), and listening to music critically. If high-quality sound is desired, give these a try.
Read Best Reviews of Onkyo IE-FC300 In-Ear Headphones, Red Here
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Fairly cool looking earphones, but certainly not something that you can "hide" while wearing. Comes with 4 sets of rubber adapters for your ears, I found the ones already attached to work well for me. Noise isolation is pretty good while these are comfortably seated in my ears. The pop off connectors attach very securely and tightly, never had one disconnect by itself so far. The cord is flat style, which is tangle resistant actually a great feature when you'd rather not fumble around with unfurling your earphones and just want to get to listening to music right away.Of course the earphones do a great job of sound reproduction. I tried classical to rock/pop & heavy power music and found them to be quite clear. Highs, mid-range, and bass all come out distinctly. It was a pleasure to listen to music with them.
I would only buy these as "nice" earphones, since these are around $100 a set. If you tend to break or lose your earphones regularly these are probably too expensive to buy all the time even if the sound reproduction is definitely better than cheaper earphones of the $10-20 range.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I absolutely love these in-ear headphones. They are comfortable in your ear. The sound is perfect!!The cord is flat which I believe looks better but is also great in that they do not tangle like the round wires.
They are a very nice red color for the cord and black for the earphones. You can switch the cords if you want to change color but I have not looked into buying the cords separate for the earphones yet. Great product.
StarTech.com MU1MMRCA 1-Feet Stereo Audio Cable - 3.5mm Male to 2x RCA Male
List Price: $8.99
Sale Price: $8.27
Today's Bonus: 8% Off
No problems at all. I plug and un plug often and they appear to be well constructed. I will purchase more if needed.
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Just a cable so no big deal. Just another cable that I didn't have to build and that was so inexpensive it seemed obvious.Buy StarTech.com MU1MMRCA 1-Feet Stereo Audio Cable - 3.5mm Male to 2x RCA Male Now
Ordered and received-later than other products ordered on the same day.The item is not 12" long-closer to 8" long.
It's too short and too expensive to return vs. refund amount, so I eat the cost of the item and hopefully have a use for it later.I actually ended up ordering a 3 foot cable, since this ended up being too short (my mistake)
This cable does the job, but, in my opinion, is too short for any car use. Meaning if you have to pick up your phone to change the song, or have to otherwise interact with you phone, get a longer cable. This one is ONLY good for hooking up the device and leaving it sitting in one spot.
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The actual length of the cable is only eight and a half inches. Even if you measure from the tip of one connector to the very tip of the connector at the other end you only get to eleven and a half inches. Very disappointing.
Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New)
List Price: $249.99
Sale Price: $126.95
Today's Bonus: 49% Off
- Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
- Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
- Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
- Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
- Included accessories:Professional Closed Cup Headphones, Windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB Cable, Adjustable Tripod Stand, Padded-shell Case and a Mic Clip Adapter
Click Here to Read More Reviews >>
Zoom H1 with accessory Pack:Note: I see that Amazon is selling this complete system around $20 cheaper if you buy the recorder and Accessory pack separately...
Amazon is very slow getting this product in stock, so I got tired of waiting and ordered it from a company out of Colorado on ebay at about the same price, and they also included a 2GB micro SD card & micro SD adapter kit with case, in it. I'm usually a BIG hold-out though when it comes to buying from Amazon as the selling merchant because of their easy return policy, but I really wanted this item and was tired of waiting for Amazon to supply it... anyways I got mine today.
The Zoom H1 is a very nice and very reasonably priced recorder. The added accessories kit is a very good option and I'm glad it was offered in this type of packaging. This thing will probably last me for quite some time. I've owned a few of the older analog mini cassette recorders like the ones made by Sony, but this is my 1st digital recorder. I was waiting on a very good quality device, that was stereo and low in price (compared to its quality).
So the ZOOM H1 with accessory pack, came with:
Zoom H1 recorder,
1 AA Battery
mini tripod,
Windscreen,
Mic clip adapter,
A/C adapter,
USB Cable,
Padded shell case,
set of cheap Tascam headphones with 1/8-1/4 stereo adapter plug,
my shipment included a Micro SD card (2GB) and Micro SD card adapter,
1/8" to 1/8" stereo line-In cable,
RCA (L/R) to 1/8" stereo cable,
Manual & paperwork...
I loaded the battery and micro SD card and the H1 opened a data input screen for programming the date, time, and such. This went very fast and was very easy to program. I then removed the battery to see if I have to redo this after every battery load up, and it remembered the settings, but does a quick SD card check at start up. TO power on the device you need to hold the power switch to the down position for a few seconds (located on the bottom right side of H1), and the screen will digitally greet you. The screen also displays some very nice messaging back to the user.
Next I reviewed the various buttons on the recorder, like on the very bottom there's a small speaker used to monitor playback with, but it's very very weak weak, so don't expect much from it. The monitor speaker works for a quick listen, but again u will need to use headsets or connect it up with the USB or line cables for best playback quality (or pull the SD card and slot it in the computer). On the backside I set the 3 buttons to my settings... (Low cut: ON, Auto level: ON, Format: MP3). On the right side I increased input recording level to 85% & on the left side I set the volume out level to 75%.
One thing I noticed (reading the manual 1st would prob... help), when I tried the REV/FF during playback is if I let off the button right away it would go to the very end or start like complete rewind. But I figured out that you need to hold these buttons done to do skips and short moves.
Then I hit the record button on the face of the Zoom H1 and did a quick recording in front of the HDTV set for 15 seconds. Then I stopped and hit the playback button on the right side, again the small monitor speaker is very weak, so I plugged in the provided headset and the quality was very good. One thing I noticed right away about this recorder is that its very sensitive. When holding it while recording it picks up everything, your movements, bumps, pressing the record, start, or stop buttons... the movement noises are picked up (maybe the input volume is set to high, I will play with that later) whatever... and it seems to have a very high freq... pitch to it, (it would be nice if this thing came with a remote and had built-in bluetooth, so we could use wireless bluetooth speaker/mic headset, that would be nice). So I opened the accessory pack and added the windscreen and tripod and that helped, but still a very sensitive item. You can hear everything during playback.
To delete a recording, just hit the delete button on the bottom right side, then verify it by pushing the red record button on the face of the Zoom H1. I haven't tried the USB connection, line-in, or line-out yet (headphones used as line-out), but its probably much like all the other small electronic devices, so I wont pester the peeps with it but these are nice options to have on such a reasonably priced recorder.
Overall for me: the price was right, especially with the options kit and included SD card kit. I will use this thing for everything, recording my music sessions, or out playing in the world environments... It will take some getting use to on its sensitivity, but I will adapt. So for me... its a keeper!
More Zoom H1 Specs (amazon doesnt do URLs):
Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder Features:
* Stereo X/Y mic configuration captures perfect stereo images
* Same frequency and SPL handling as popular Zoom H2
* Records Broadcast WAV (BWF) at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
* Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
* Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port
* Built-in reference speaker
* Includes 2GB microSD memory card and 1 AA battery
* One AA size battery allows 10 hours operation
* Accommodates up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards
* Track marker function
* Low cut filter
* Built-in mounting joint for tripod mount
* 1/8 inch external mic input
* Stereo 1/8 inch line output
* Auto record level
enjoy :)
Buy Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New) Now
I bought one of these to:Record myself playing trumpet/harmonica/singing
Conduct interviews
record speakers and speaking engagements
???
and it has performed brilliantly.
On that strength, I recommended this to a friend who is a Mary Kay director who does CD's for training, motivation and support for her sales associates. On that end, it has been brilliant. You can plop it in front of a guest speaker (one mic pointed toward the speaker and the other "mostly" towards the audience") and you get a clear, crisp and brilliant recording that is easy to listen to and not encumbered by hiss, distortion or other technological distractions. Not only that, but it is "Non-Technical Person" APPROVED. Very easy to use. If you can pull a file off of a pen drive, you can use this recorder 100%.
For audience recordings:
ALWAYS leave the "Auto Level" switch (on the back) ON. This will adjust the recording levels for when "someone in the back" asks a question (turning the sensitivity UP) and then automatically turn it back DOWN when the speaker starts up again.
** If the speaker is on a PA (meaning talking into a microphone and sound system) **: you are generally good. If you are making a CD, set it to "WAV" (slider on the back), and then use the > (fast forward) buttons when you turn it on (before starting to record) to set it to "44 / 16" mode. Any setting will burn to CD via iTunes (recommended method) just fine, but on the "44 / 16" setting it is the exact format a CD uses. Literally, drop it in and burn.
** If the speaker is NOT on a PA (just them talking to the room unassisted) ** : if you are going to have audience noise, clapping, etc. you will want to put the recorder NEARER to the speaker. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THAT AUTO-LEVEL SWITCH on the back of the unit ON.
Other than that, unless you want to edit clips, just drop the file or files from the recorder into iTunes (delete any "test" recordings you don't want), make a playlist (plus sign at the bottom left of the iTunes window), drag that particular recording or recordings onto it and then press "burn playlist" to write it to a CD. Just about that easy.
Accessories:
These are life savers:
The tripod lets you put it on a desk, near enough to your mouth, and record an audio training or what-have-you with ease. Put on the foam cover for this, because if you don't, P's and F's and T's can sometimes break up and sound bad. With the foam cover, you sound pure rich, natural and distortion-free, even if you speak into it at close range.
The foam cover (above) protects you when you speak closely into it, or when you are outdoors in any kind of slight breeze or wind. For heavier breeze or wind, you need a RedHead protector (google it).
The microphone handle accessory is a God-send as well: will allow you to record a speaker standing up with ease if you have a mic stand (they are cheap and invaluable). Remember, closer to the speaker if they are not using an amplified PA/microphone/speakers.
The case is really good for keeping this relatively delicate product safe. All the money was poured into the mics and the recording electronics, not the case. It is not necessarily durable enough to smash under heavy weight in a bag somewhere, but the case will help that to some degree.
The power supply keeps you going if batteries die.
The cable allows you to transfer files right from the device. Usually would just use it like a camera card and plug it right into your computer, but this allows greater flexibility.
Final notes:
I highly recommend spending the ten bucks on an 8 GB (eight gigabyte) card. This will yield you many more hours of recording time and more flexibility. More space than that is not always necessary, but for about ten bucks you cannot beat an 8gb card right now.
The headphones in the kit are bulky and lousy, but oh well...they are roughly "free" all told.
If you need to edit your recording (fade in at the beginning or fade out at the end, cut out segments you don't want or mistakes made, etc.) then go ahead and download the free "Audacity" program and teach yourself how to use it by reading the user manual. It's free, powerful yet simple and once you LEARN it, you will LOVE it. It's worth your time. Or if you are big-time enough, hire someone on eLance or Rentacoder to do it for you. HIGH POWERED!!
FINAL NOTE FOR LIVE CONCERT RECORDING:
Other than that, I wish to say that I have now recorded live music with this thing (even bassy high-end PA and concert venue stuff) and it sounds phenomenal. I used to have a Sound Professionals rig with a DAT recorder, battery box and capsule microphones...naturally sounded great. But this is definitely comparable without the fuss of wires and rigging.
When you are recording a concert, you set the auto-levels to OFF and typically I am adjusting the levels (read the manual on how to do this) down to about 25. That seems to be the safest setting overall to prevent clipping or overloading (red light blinking rapidly when this happens) in your live music recording. I have recorded singers on a PA, live rock, orchestra over PA and various other amped and acoustic settings and they all come out really nice. This baby is where it's AT for me! :D Very happy.
Read Best Reviews of Zoom H1 Portable Stereo Digital Audio Premium Pack - (New) Here
I really wanted to like this product. Sure, it's made from flimsy plastic, the battery door rattles, the microsd cover feels like it wants to break every time you use it, and the buttons and switches are rubbish, but I was prepared to give the Zoom H1 a 4-star rating because the audio quality is fantastic for the price, it's light weight, and is supposed to get good battery life from a single AA battery.Unfortunately, for me, the battery drain issue makes the product completely useless. The claimed battery life was a major factor, along with the great audio quality, in my decision to purchase the Zoom H1. However, I do not record for 8-10 hours each time so I expected a single AA battery to last me around a week or so, but instead the H1 I received drains about half a battery overnight. That is completely unacceptable. I thought about just removing the battery when I wasn't using the recorder but that quickly becomes a pain if you want accurate timestamps as you need to re-enter the date and time each time you remove the battery.
It's a shame as I would have very much liked this recorder if it wasn't for such a silly defect. I did read about users experiencing the battery drain and the fact that Samson was replacing defective units, but I had thought that since the product has been in the marketplace for quite some time now the issue would have been resolved with all units being currently sold.
Bottom Line: If not for the battery drain issue this recorder would have been a very good match for my needs. Rather than try my chances with a replacement I will look for an alternative with better build quality.
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Bought this 2-months ago, mainly to record our band practices since we were "breaking-in" a new guitarist. I was blown away by the quality of the recordings. I placed the recorder in the corner of the room and set the mp3 record quality to 192kbs to keep the file size manageable. Amazing quality with no fuss!I also used it to record church services, since I play bass on the church worship team. It wasn't quite as successful there since it picked up all the coughing, sneezing, kids crying and a bit of an echo in the large sanctuary. Yesterday, during a church practice, I set it to record in wav format and plugged it into the sound board to record direct to the line in jack. Unfortunately, it only recorded on the left channel but I'm not sure if this is due to the recorder or the sound board. Even though it was mono, the quality was great with no echo or background noise since the on-stage mics were the only input. I will use it to record the Easter Service this morning and have no doubt that I'll be pleased with the results.
There has not been any indication of any battery life problems, and the unit is extremely easy to use. I'm over 65 and didn't have any problem with the technology. I will say that the manual is printed so small that I had to use a jeweler's loupe to read it. I ended up downloading a pdf version and read it from the computer so I could easily enlarge the directions & diagrams.
The accessory pack is a must have addition. I'm happy with the Nady headphones that came with mine. The tripod & usb cable are invaluable. I also recommend purchasing an 8GB micro SD card you'll get at least 5-hours recording time in wav format and at least 10 times more in any mp3 format.
I agree with other reviewers that the auto level function is not very useful for recording live music. It will take a little tinkering to get your input level set correctly for each situation but its easy enough and well worth the effort. Once the files are downloaded to the computer, you can easily tweak the sounds to your preference. The original files sound great but you might want to use a sound editor to reduce the bass or bring up the trebles. Both Nero & Roxio have sound editors built in as do most other audio software programs.
Conclusion is it feels a little "chintzy" but if you handle it with care and keep it in the hard shell carrying case that came with the accessory pack, it should last a long time and give you "A1" recordings.
Also, it does have a few quirks. I've learned the hard way that you cannot reformat the memory card in your computer: you must do it in the Zoom, by holding down the 'delete' button as you power on. Otherwise the recorder appears to be recording, but you just end up with a blank file of 0kb.