Sony PCM-M10 Test Report

10.09.2010

Today (10 Dec 2009) was the day. The first delivery of the new Sony PCM-M10 arrived. The introductory offer sounds promising: 333 euros for the Sony PCM-M10 including Sony headphones, a windjammer and 4 accumulators with mini charger. Right away, we took a close look on the devices and produced the first test recordings. Here are our first impressions:

Optics and Haptics

The device is smaller as the photos may suggest and lies conveniently in your hand. It's smaller as the famous Zoom H2 (6,2cm*11,4cm*2,2cm). Although it's mainly made of plastic and only the front is made of metal, the workmanship leaves nothing to be desired. The front reminds of LS-xx standard, the edge and underside have a somewhat simpler Zoom character. The operation keys are all well tactile, they seem valuable. Only the volume control on the bottom (!?) seems a bit wobbly. The pressure points of record and playback button are perfect. The menu keys, however, are hard to press. The level control at the side is nicely stiff and sheltered so that an inadvertent adjustment should be prevented. Moreover, there are mechanical keys for speed, time marks, low-cut filter and modulation.

 

New scion of the Sony family:
Sony PCM-M10, price: 333 euros

 

Operation and Features

After placing two AA batteries in the Sony PCM-M10, it takes some time (5 seconds) to boot. The lid of the battery compartment is anchored and therefore not detachable. The large display (bigger than those of the Olympus competitors) leaves enough room for all important information. MP3 mode (64, 128, 320 kbps) as well as WAV (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit) are possible, but no mono recording.
As usual for this class of devices, you switch on the record mode by pressing the Rec button in order to make all adjustments. The actual recording does not start by hitting the key a second time, but the Pause key. The keys are nicely lit. The optional limiter did surprisingly good work when we first tested it. This is rather unusual. It's great that you can set time marks during the recording. These can not only be used on the device, but also on the computer later on when working with the included software “Soundforge”. In case you want to delete a recording and you have pressed the “Delete” button, the file is played back one last time. This way, also visually impaired people can easily cope with this feature (like with all others, as the menu is static). A negative aspect that we spotted is the small integrated loudspeaker. It is so quiet that you barely hear anything even at the highest volume.
The Sony PCM-M10 has two inputs – one for Line-In and one for mikes with 3,5mm jack. A headphone port allows to monitor the recording. Included in delivery is a tethered remote control which starts and stops the recording and sets time marks. The device is operated either by the included power supply unit or accumulators/batteries (AA) and therefore can run up to 25 hours at a stretch. Besides a 4 GB internal memory it alternatively saves files to MicroSD or a mini memory stick. This is the first time that Sony supports not only the proprietary Sony Memory Stick, but also cards. You may want to say: “At last!”

 

Recording quality

The recording quality of this Sony is audibly well. There's very few hissing, the depths are nice and clear. For test recordings, we always took a second device for comparison: the DM-550 for recordings of speech (our price-perfomance winner in this category), the LS-10 for atmosphere and music recording and finally the LS-11 for a recording of speech and atmosphere (our winner in the matter of sound).
In principle, we see all devices very close to each other. The Sony recordings are almost free of hissing which is great especially for speech recordings. But, the PCM-M10 has some weaknesses when it comes to clear details. The falling rain, which can be heard at the end of the first recording in contrast to the LS-11, is barely audible with the Sony. The LS-11 records this sound very clearly. Free of hissing: yes. But apparently at the cost of detail.

Audio samples:

First test recording Sony PCM-M10 (download)

In comparison Olympus LS-11 (download)

 

Alphorns Sony PCM-M10 (download)

Alphorns Olympus LS-10 (download)

 

Steam engine Sony PCM-M10 (download)

Steam engine Olympus LS-10 (download)

 

Speech Sony PCM-M10 (download)

Speech Olympus DM-550 (download)

 

Package content

The opening offer comes fully packed: You will not only receive the actual device but also a set of Sony headphones, a windjammer, 4 accumulators and a simple charger. Inside the packing there is also a product CD with operating instructions in different languages (.pdf), the software “Sound Forge 9.0”, a cable remote control (Start, Stop, Pause, T-Marks), a small power adaptor, manuals and two batteries.
There is also interesting accessory, namely a portable playback loudspeaker, run by batteries. This could be a worthwhile investment especially for those who record speech (speech therapy, singing, lesson).

Conclusion

The Sony PCM-M10 at 333 euros is considerably cheaper than its bigger Sony brothers. Still Sony succeeded in developing a really compact recorder whose recording quality convinced us. Speech recording is its primary strength and therefore it should be very interesting for journalists and radio reporters. In our opinion, music and nature recordings sound somewhat muffled (listen to the Alphorn sample). Another quibble is the internal loudspeaker. But if you use headphones, that won't matter for you. Unfortunately, there was used a lot of plastic, only the front is made of metal. The battery compartment seems a bit wobbly. The operation concept, however, proves to be intuitive. You feel that Sony has many years of Mini Disc experience. Also the keys are valuable. Mechanical keys for numerous adjustment, different feel of keys and the possibility to directly set time marks (also with the remote control) round off the operation. Only the volume control was placed on the back which is rather inconvenient. The included software “Sound Forge 9.0” can be easily operated, too. You will be sure to find all set time marks in it.

Taking all this into account, the Sony PCM-M10 for 333 euros including extensive accessory presents itself as an exciting alternative.

 

Technical data:

• Audio Formats Supported : Record: .WAV and MP3; Playback: .WAV, .MP3, .WMA (Non DRM), .M4A (AAC-LC, Non-DRM)
• Built-in Mic : Electret condenser microphones. Max input level: 123 dB SPL. Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Mic Input : (Stereo Mini Jack); Input impedance: 22 k ohm, Rated input level: 2.5 mV; Minimum input level: 0.9 mV
• Line Input (Analog) : (Stereo Mini Jack) Input impedance: 22k ohms; Minimum input level: 500mV; Rated input level: 2.0V

Line Input (Optical) : NA

• Line Output (Analog) : Line out available from headphone jack (menu selectable)

Line Output (Optical) : NA

• Headphone Output : Stereo Mini Jack; Maximum output: 20 mW + 20 mW; Load impedance: 16 ohms
• Frequency Response : 20 Hz to 40 kHz (Line in) @ 96KHz
• Sampling Frequency : 22.05kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96kHz
• Quantization : 16-bit linear, 24-bit linear
• S/N Ratio : 87dB or greater (1KHz IHF-A) when set to 24-bit
• Total Harmonic Distortion (Line Input to Line Output) : 0.03% or below (1kHz, 22kHz LPF)
• Wow and Flutter : Below measurable limit (less than +/-0.001%W.Peak)
• USB : High-speed USB,mass storage class
• Power Consumption : 0.27w

Power Requirements : Two AA size Alkaline batteries (supplied). Two AA NiMH Rechargable batteries (optional)

• DC Input Jack : 3V
• Battery Life : 24 hrs @ 44.1KHz/16-bit or 19 hrs @ 96KHz/24-bit
• Memory Stick Slot : Accepts Memory Stick Micro (M2) and microSD
• Dimensions : 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 7/8" (w x h x d) not including projecting parts and controls

Weight : 6.6 oz (including batteries)
 

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And last but not least:

 

We make our living by selling recorders. Therefore, we are of course not thoroughlyunbiased.

Nevertheless, our concern is to display the products as transparent as possible and therefore provide justified information which is far from just being an advertising promise and is more than just technical data. If you would like to support our work, we are looking forward to your purchase in our online shop.