I have been using a Zoom H6 for years, and it remains one of the best pieces of audio equipment I have ever owned. I purchased the iQ6, hoping it would serve as a more portable alternative to the H6. Unfortunately, I was mistaken and quite disappointed with its performance.
The H6 demonstrates excellent versatility, with preamp noise on the XY microphone only becoming noticeable when the gain control reaches 6-7. This level of noise has never compromised my ability to capture high-quality recordings, making the H6 very versatile.
In contrast, the iQ6 introduces preamp noise as early as gain settings 1-2. Even when recording sources at moderate volumes, the noise permeates the recording, severely limiting the device’s usability. Quiet sounds are nearly impossible to capture as they are embedded in the preamp noise. The iQ6 may be useful for recording very loud sources, such as a band rehearsal or a busy cityscape, but it offers little else in terms of practical functionality. Additionally, handling noise is a significant (I guess this is expected from a mic connected directly to your phone.)
While the Zoom Handy Recorder app has a user-friendly interface, it is plagued with bugs. On my iPhone 11, the app frequently fails to detect finger movements correctly, further diminishing the usability of the iQ6.
In summary, I would not recommend the iQ6. It is worth saving up for the Zoom H6, which offers far superior in every way. I am returning the iQ6.
