The Zoom H2 I'm using has three settings for mic gain, Low, Medium and High. (The H4n has a dial.) On High I need to hold it at arm's length to be sure not to get any clipping; on Low I can practically gargle with it, and still need to amplify the sound I get. Medium gain with the Zoom held about six inches from my face seems to be the best combination.

Thanks for the EQ tips - I'll definitely try that.