I have been using H5 with the stock XYH-5 capsule to record my band rehearsals and gigs for several years. I decided to try H5 Studio, because of its 32 bit float recording and large diaphragm capsules. I tested them side by side at a band practice, both set to 24 bit recording, without any compression or limiting, and here's the verdict:
PROS:
- Excellent display, miles better than the old H5.
- A little better capture of lowest frequencies (e.g. kick drum) from a distance.
- 32 bit float recording, useful at live gigs with unpredictable levels.
- BT adapter option making wireless operation possible.
CONS:
- Muddy and muted sound, compared to H5. Roll-off in top frequencies and overall lack of clarity. I can boost the top end somewhat with EQ in post, but it still lacks the immediacy and definition of H5, even with its stock XYH-5 capsule. True, there’s a bit more low bass captured by H5 studio, but I can mostly make up for it with some low end EQ boost of H5 recordings, while the lack of top end extension and clarity of H5 studio can’t really be fixed with EQ.
- Poor ergonomics - lack of a "go back" button for navigating the menus, I have to scroll like crazy in every screen to change the setting and then scroll again to where the "back" icon is on the screen. In H5 I would just press "Menu" to go back.
- Microphones angle can't be adjusted. Nor can it in the stock XYH-5 capsule of H5, but with H5 you can upgrade to a capsule with adjustable stereo field or Mid/Side mics, while there’s no such option from Zoom (maybe by the time you read this Zoom will have released more capsules - for now the selection is pretty small).
- Picks much more of the handling noise than H5, clearly the mic isolation is not as good. Not a big issue for me, as I never use H5 handheld, but mentioning it here in case somebody considers this purchase.
- Cheap, plasticky feeling compared with H5.
- Not as compact as H5 - I suspect the increase in size was dictated by marketing, not real engineering need, as you can squeeze the electronics that make up H5 studio to a really small package.
- No carrying case, which is an essential accessory for such product. H5 came with a simple, but perfectly usable plastic hard case, lined with foam pads in strategic places. With H5 studio you have to spend even more on a case as an optional accessory.
- No wired remote input. It can be controlled with a BT adapter, but that makes one dependent on Zoom app that likely won't be supported 10 years from now, while my wired remote for H5 will probably still work fine. But I realize in some scenarios wireless control could be a plus, so I also listed it in "Pros". I guess having both options would be ideal.
On the whole, totally disappointed with this product, which costs more, sounds worse, has worse ergonomics and appears to be of a worse build quality. I don't often return the gear I buy in Thomann, but this got shipped right back and I returned to using my trusted H5, which is built like a tank and will likely serve me well for many years to come.
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