XVIVE XV1r Vs. ZOOM H1e – H1n * only Plug In Power Mic IN TEST

Reading Time: 2 minutes

* UPDATE – I finally ran the test for the onboard microphones as well.

See the last two MP3 audio files with the recordings first as recorded, then Normalized to -3dB. See also the spectrogram image of the file normalized to -3dB for the differences in noise level.

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I performed a comparison test between three inexpensive handheld recorders: XVIVE XV1-r, ZOOM H1e, ZOOM H1n.
So far I have only tested the recorders for their Mic IN Plug In Power input, as I rarely use the built-in microphones on a recorder. I will try the built-in microphones as soon as possible.
XVIVE XV1-r is interesting because it allows you to choose between 24 bit and 32 bit float, while H1e is fixed at 32 bit float.
I used a DIY parabolic microphone assembled with two pairs of AOM5024 omni capsules with two stereo outputs, basically like having two twin parabolic microphones each with 1+1 capsule. In this way I am able to record simultaneously with two recorders and have an input signal as equal as possible between the two inputs.
I compared the two recorders in 32 bit float mode (XVIVE XV1-r and ZOOM H1e), both in 24 bit mode with H1n and XV1-r.
All audio files are downloadable: right click – download

postscript – In February 2025 Tascam began shipping the DR 05xp and DR 07xp models. The recording formats include 32-bit float, 24-bit and 16-bit. It will be interesting to test at least one of these.

See description below each audio file

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01_XVIVE_BlackBird_32bit_noLowCut

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02_H1e_BlackBird_32bit_noLowCut_AS-RECORDED

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03_H1e_BlackBird_32bit_noLowCut+6dB

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04_XVIVE_Blackcap_32bit_80HzLowCut

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05_H1e_Blackcap_32bit_80HzLowCut

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06_XVIVE_BlackBird_24bit_noLowCut_AS_RECORDED

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07_H1n_BlackBird_24bit_noLowCut_AS_RECORDED

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I finally ran the test for the onboard microphones as well. All Low Cut ON 80 Hz.
See these last two MP3 audio files with the recordings first as recorded, then Normalized to -3dB. See also the spectrogram image of the file normalized to -3dB for the differences in noise level.
Three singing calls (thirty seconds) for each recorder.

VX1r_H1e_H1n_AS_RECORDED

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VX1r_H1e_H1n_AS_RECORDED_NORMALIZED_-3dB

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VX1-r H1e H1n (-3dB Normalized)