Portable Audio Recorder

Portable Audio Recorder Review

Transom

Current Voice Recorder Recommendations: 

Compact, convenient, take-everywhere recorder: Sony PCM-M10 (Transom review) – $240

Sonic clarity in a small package: Sony PCM-D100 (Transom review) – $800

Affordable sound quality with XLR mic inputs: Tascam DR-100mkII (Transom review) – $270

Reporter’s workhorse: Marantz PMD 661 (Transom review) – $600

Simultaneous interview/ambience recording: Zoom H4n (Transom review) – $200 – OR Tascam DR-40 (Transom review) – $200

Ultimate sound quality: Sound Devices 702/722 (Transom review) – $1,800/$2,400

Recommended External Microphones:

Omnidirectional, Condenser: Audio Technica AT8010 – $160

Short Shotgun, Condenser: Rode NTG2 – $270

Sennheiser K6 powering module + Sennheiser ME66 short shotgun capsule – $250/$210. Additional capsules can be purchased (Omni, Cardioid, Lavalier, etc) to work with the K6. This can be more economical and compact than purchasing and carrying several different microphones.

Digital Voice Recorder Comparison

Tascam DR-100mkII

Pros: Upgraded (cleaner) mic inputs compared to original DR-100. XLR mic inputs with standard phantom power, hardware switches for inputs and other controls, dual power sources (both AA and rechargeable battery), easy to use, good built-in stereo mics, good audio quality with any external microphones, simple menu structure, protective soft sleeve included.

Cons: AA battery life is short. Battery-source menu is clunky. Mono/stereo record-mode setting is buried in a series of menus. No true single-track mono recording. Too large for a pocket. No AC power supply provided.

Portable Audio Speakers

Best Portable Audio Speakers

TechRadar:

The bazooka-sized boomboxes of yesteryear are no more, and haven't been for a while now. They have made way for portable, wireless speakers that are more capable, and sometimes, are as small as a soda can. But the path to glory for the Bluetooth speaker hasn't always been strong. In fact, it's been downright shaky at times, as innovation in design flew past the actual execution of reliably streaming music wirelessly in its early years.


Most of the bugs have been shook loose, and the Bluetooth speakers arriving on store shelves today are better and more affordable than ever. What with long-lasting battery life, stunning audio reproduction and other useful features, these speakers can turn any trip away from home into a tune-filled party. We've done the digging to present to you our top reviewed picks for best Bluetooth speakers.

JBL Charge 2

Coming in at $150 (£129, about AU$170) is the JBL Charge 2. It's about the size of a large can of energy drink, but we promise that it has more functionality than one. With great sound quality that booms through the cylindrical chamber, the deal is only made sweeter with its fantastic battery life, which can charge your power-hungry devices if you're away from an electrical source. Sure, it's not as flashy looking as the LED-decorated JBL Pulse, but its capabilities blow it out of the water for your money.