Despite all the features and name brand, Philips voice recorder sound, ease of use and straightforwardness is a thousand times better for all ages (we returned it before trying an external mic).If you want the learning curve, it works.The speaker, marketing and variety of settings is better than the sound. Too frustrating unless you want a budget note taker which only you will hear.

I already have an Olympus voice recorder that does a very good job, but the added feature of 1 button recording (even when off) was something I could just not pass up. Note that this recorder does not have options for "Quality" and "Microphone Sensitivity". Instead, they offer something called "Recording Scenes" that essentially select quality and sensitivity for you. As a test, I recorded a simple "Testing 1 2 3" in each of the 4 "Recording Scenes", then imported the recordings into Audacity. In the first screenshot, we see that the "Music" recording scene uses low sensitivity and the other modes use high sensitivity. The second screenshot shows a very short time interval; so short that individual sample points are easily seen. This provides a visual indication of ... MoreI already have an Olympus voice recorder that does a very good job, but the added feature of 1 button recording (even when off) was something I could just not pass up. Note that this recorder does not have options for "Quality" and "Microphone Sensitivity". Instead, they offer something called "Recording Scenes" that essentially select quality and sensitivity for you. As a test, I recorded a simple "Testing 1 2 3" in each of the 4 "Recording Scenes", then imported the recordings into Audacity. In the first screenshot, we see that the "Music" recording scene uses low sensitivity and the other modes use high sensitivity. The second screenshot shows a very short time interval; so short that individual sample points are easily seen. This provides a visual indication of the sample rates. My recommendation: Use "Music" mode for low microphone sensitivity, and "Talk" mode for high sensitivity. The 4 GB capacity enables over 200 hours of recording time at the highest quality. Other reviewers have commented that setup can be difficult and the screen is difficult to read. Well, setup was not too complicated at all, and once it is setup, you really don't need the screen for much. One dedicated button to record, one for playback, two for next / previous, two for volume up / down.It is a simple User Interface.

The Memo and Talk functions work well. The Music and LP not so much. It can't pause, which is unforgivable. Despite that, for under $40, it is good for dictation and for small, closely-held meetings. Playback of Memo and Talk recordings are loud and clear. Playback of Music and LP recordings and low and muffled. As long as your expectations don't exceed those parameters, it is a good recorder, and is certainly affordable. I just wish it could pause and resume during the same dictation/meeting session. Then I could give it another star.