[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1485720533' post='3226134']
Comparison files below. They are both .MOV files straight from each device, no conversion or editing whatsoever. One clip is truncated, but there's enough of it for a comparison.
[url="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90710763/Canon%20SX40.MOV"]Canon SX40 version[/url]
[url="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90710763/Zoom%20Q4n.MOV"]Zoom Q4n version[/url]
[/quote]
Listening again to this, the main difference between the two (apart from the Q4n isn't clipping) is that the SX40 is capturing the room, which the Q4n doesn't do in XY. That makes it feel like it has a bit more life about it.
If the mix coming from straight ahead was flat and lifeless, then there's part of the problem.