Olympus WS-710M Digital Voice Recorder Review
The Olympus WS-710M digital voice recorder is an ultra-portable audio recorder with an impressive 8GB of internal storage, which is equivalent to over 2,000 hours of stored audio. It even features a built-in FM tuner so you can listen to your favorite radio stations. The built-in adjustable stereo microphones ensure you will always get the best sound recordings regardless of the environment.
Olympus WS-710M Digital Voice Recorder Review – Features at a glance
- Size: 3.9″ x 1.6″ x 0.4″
- Weight: 0.11 lbs
- internal storage capacity of 8 GB (over 2,100 hours of recordings)
- micro SD card slot for additional storage capacity
- USB port
- saves to PCM, WAV or MP3 format
- runs on AAA alkaline battery OR AAA NiMH rechargeable battery (included) ~ 25 hours of play
- built-in FM tuner
- voice-activation
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Olympus WS-710M Digital Voice Recorder Review – Portable and versatile yet easy to use
What makes the Olympus WS-710M portable and easy to use?
- Extremely lightweight and compact.
- Voice-activation feature. This makes starting and stopping recordings easy and effortless.
- Connect via USB to easily and quickly transfer files.
- Recharge the battery via USB connection to your computer.
- Bright LCD which supports 4 languages (EN/FR/ES/PT).
The versatility of the digital recorder arises from the following features:
- Built-in FM tuner: allows you to listen to your favorite radio stations, and easily record tunes off them as well!
- You can transfer files not only TO your MAC or PC, but FROM it as well! This allows you to transfer music from your computer. With the large internal storage capacity of 8 GB, you can use the recorder as a portable MP3 player.
- “Scene Select” function. When you select a “scene” such as a conference room or a large hall, the microphones will automatically adjust themselves to some predefined settings which are best for the selected scene.
- Quality stereo microphones. With noise-reduction feature, you can be assured of high quality recordings, even in noisy environments.
While a built-in FM tuner is not really a must-have for many people searching for suitable recording devices (unless they are looking specifically to record tunes off the radio), it can be a nice bonus, as shown by the following Amazon.com customer testimonial.
“…The bonus is the built-in FM radio, which wasn’t a deal-breaker when I was looking for a digital voice recorder but is much appreciated (I take the thing along on bike rides and listen to NPR as I pedal the pounds away!)…[continued]”
Although the Olympus WS-710M digital voice recorder is small and relatively cheap, don’t underestimate its recording quality. The recorder certainly doesn’t disappoint in this department, and several customer testimonials such as the following praise the device’s great recording quality.
“…the quality of the recording is great. I’m amazed at how well it picks up voices from across the room and nearby. I use it mainly for recording choir rehearsals and performances. I get the music director’s comments and the people in front of me singing better then any recording device I have used over the last ten years.…[continued]”
The “Scene Select” function is definitely a great feature that allows the Olympus WS-710M to retain its high quality stereo recordings in a variety of environments, while maintaining its ease of use. Take a look at the following customer testimonial from Amazon.com discussing the usefulness of this function:
“…Because my class sizes and the teaching styles of my instructors vary widely, the pre-set recording functions are handy. Lecture for some classes, and conference for others. Getting together with friends to discuss this summers camping plans? The meeting setting gives you great audio quality…[continued]”
Olympus WS-710M Review – Bottomline
As can be seen, the Olympus WS-710M digital voice recorder is a portable, versatile yet easy-to-use audio recorder. Despite its fairly low price, its recordings are of high stereo quality. Those looking for a highly portable recorder (with rechargeable battery!) for lectures, taking notes, interviews, conversations, musical performances, and even recording off the radio won’t be disappointed by this device.
Olympus WS-710M Digital Voice Recorder Review – Where to get it?
Amazon.com currently has one of the best offers on the Olympus WS-710M digital voice recorder. It’s currently available for less than $110 with FREE shipping. That means you get to save over 40% or nearly $90 off the actual list price.
Filed under: Olympus WS-710M Digital Voice Recorder.