Shortwave Radio Comparison: Tecsun PL-880 vs. Sony ICF-SW7600GR

Comparison of a couple of notable portable shortwave radio receivers, the recent Tecsun PL-880 and the venerable Sony ICF SW7600GR. Both radios sharing the same external random wire antenna and audio system.
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[@Kw1161]

I still use my Sony ICF 7600 GR that I bought in the 1990’s still works great. The Tecsun 880 AM section failed after about a year of purchase. The Tecsun definitely had better internal speakers and was more sensitive. The Sony’s synchronous detection works, unlike the 880. However you can only buy the 880 new so maybe they have improved on the quality. Thanks for the video.

[@dennismau9103]

I had the Tecsun PL-880 and I couldn't get ONE SW station from my house, but with the XHDATA D109 I received a solid 30 station with just the standard antenna. So the $40 XHDATA D109 outperforms the $180 Tecsun PL-880. The XHDATA D109 also has equivalent sound quality. I returned the Tecsun PL-880 and kept the much superior XHDATA D109.

[@RadioSATX]

Really nice comparison. I like the way you "equalized" the two by using the same antenna and using another speaker. The Tecsun is a clear winner on most of these signals.

[@Radiodog]

Thanks for the comment. I should give credit to Jim Lindenas, who does those great radio repair videos on KZbin. He's got some cool comparisons in this fashion...comparing recent digital radios to old boat anchors. Lots of fun.

[@royalhoward2882]

TECSUN PL-880 was the clear winner IMHO. Great comparison video and thanks for sharing it.

[@SevenFortyOne]

The Tecsun seems to have a wider audio bandwidth which probably makes it a little easier to listen to. Its tough to gauge sensitivity with the QSB that was present on the signals you found but the two radios seemed pretty close to one another in that category.

[@jtownshend]

I like the 7600GR but its audio is horrible! Too midrangy. And with earphones it is even worse. I prefer my DE1103 v1.0, its audio has an analog feel, something I appreciate because I like listening to programs and music.

[@chrisvandeninden1995]

you must do the test again and separate the radio's 2 meter from echotter because the sonny is senscitif for interference ....

[@erichigbie2404]

just listened to Kaito ka1103 vs Sony 7600. Sony was my very first shortwave receiver. Darn good radio ! No wonder not updated. Have and regularly li listen to a Tecsun PL-880. Between my radios and this video, feel the pl-880 has clearer sound

[@josephjames259]

LOL testing with Brother Stair. That guy has more airtime than AFRN. Good comparison. Thanks for uploading.

[@kissingbanditt]

Tecsun all the way. Thanks for the review, thumbs up.

[@Moonshine54321]

Why does no one use the TONE SWITCH on the right side of the pl 880 in videos on it’s sound??

[@dxace1]

The 7600GR is the last in the line of the 7600s and I always found it to be quite sensitive, with a SYNC system that was a bit difficult to use, with the switch on the side. I agree with others that the Tecsun appears to out-run the older SONY at least in sound quality from the speaker. If you really want to do a test, compare the classic Panasonic RF-B65 with either of these radios....

[@Radiodog]

I wish I had an RF-B65...I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[@mcdus78]

Dan Robinson I have the 7600GR too and I just love that radio. I have to buy the Tecsun 880 to see it for myself.

[@pgpnuchk9394]

I loved radios till 2022..

[@jkssr1885]

I had that Sony and am thinking of the tecsun.. Thanks for the good test will be getting the tecsun.

[@hamishmcpenguin603]

Use the SYNC switch on the Sony - and run the test again

[@kishascape]

He can’t cuz it would stomp the 880. Same for very weak signal work.

[@kaleembaig319]

Kindly do another comparison video between the tecsun and Sangean ATS 550

[@futureshock7425]

Thank you for the video. I need to replace my Sony 7600GR and wonder if the PL-880 is a worthy successor. The whip broke on my 7600, but I am able to use an external antenna still. As you must know, the 7600GR is not in production anymore and is quite pricey now. What is your recommendation? Now that I have seen the sound quality of the Tecsun, I am quite blown away in comparison to the Sony, assuming you had the side bandwidth switch set similarly for News/Music tone to the Tecsun.

[@Radiodog]

I had a PL880, but I let it go a while back. (Sometimes I feel the need to thin the herd, so to speak.) It was a fine radio, but I didn't use it much. I can say that I liked it a good deal more than the 7600GR...for ergonomics, mostly. I much prefer knobs.

[@futureshock7425]

@Louis Williams I was able to fix the whip on my 7600GR, and I ended up getting a PL-880, love both, but my heart in the end goes to the Sony, the performance on MW/LW can't be beat

[@shortwavelistener]

Nice video! One thing I would have tried just to set more of a control would be to not use external power to either radio (just batteries) and to keep them apart during each comparison. Not sure that would make any difference at all but both could have slight signal/noise effects.

[@rayneeny]

Hi Tom i think overall The Tecsun wins out just.Thanks for sharing these videos.73 Ray.

[@chicopintudo3443]

TECSUN É INFINITAMENTE MELHOR ❗❗❗ SONY SÓ TEM NOME ... 👍😁 LIKE TOTAL.

[@colescuckooclockshop754]

Have you had problem with battery door or stand breaking? Seems flimsy.

[@skipwavedx5151]

It would be interesting to see how the Sony would do with fresh caps in it since it's 15+ years old. I had Adel put new one's in my icf 7600 and I love the performance better than my PL-330.

[@Thoreau-e4l]

What is Adel?

[@henrydrn1655]

The Tecsun is better for strong broadcast stations. The Sony comes with what is in my humble opinion, the best bandwidth for shortwave; 4kHz. A good 4kHz filter allows good separation between strong adjacent stations. When the Sony was designed, shortwave bands were packed like sardines. Synchronous detection with selectable sideband coupled with a 4kHz filter, could make the difference between hearing a station or hearing a behemoth on the next channel. Since I also listen to amateur stations, I replaced the filter in my Sony with a better, more symmetrical 4kHz filter. I also replaced the FM filters with two 150kHz units. I can now hear FM stations that I didn't know were there before. If I were only interested in broadcast stations, I would have replaced the AM filter with a 6kHz or 9kHz unit. I also "slowed down" SSB fine tuning making SSB fine tuning much easier; I can even tune AM stations using ECSS. This was very difficult without the modification. I wonder how a Tecsun PL-680 compares to the Sony.

[@TheGrantourismo]

I have Sony 7600G (not GR) and Tecsun PL-660 (680 w/o bells & whistles). Texan 660 has much better FM and audio quality, but SW and MW are on the par. Also, Sony wins in noisy environments. Both have sync, and it works. Ergonomically Texan wins. But, I feel that my 1994 Sony would outlive 2017 Texan.

[@jorgeberrios8797]

How about both models with their internal antennas, which is better??? I have a Grundwig Satellit 750 and with the radio internal antenna I can hear clearly all station's around the world!

[@johnatkinson5693]

Thanks for the review. Would like you to do one on the pl880 vs sangaen909x.

[@kaleembaig319]

Recap the Sony man and it will beat the heck out of the Tecsun, ❤️ from Hunza Valley Pakistan.

[@herrkrickmeyer9718]

This sony didn't have the cap problems the earlier ones had.

[@omaral-amoudi2295]

Thank friend fo compairing

[@markharwood7573]

Thanks, Radiodog. I live on a Scottish island where reception is poor. I own the Sony and have been shopping around for an upgrade. So far what I have found is that the Tecsun PL-330 is on a par with the PL-880 and the Sony and costs a whole lot less. For now, I'm sticking with the Sony and the Sangean ANT-60 antenna.

[@herrkrickmeyer9718]

I have a 7600gr 660 and 880 among others. The Sony is the easiest on the ears with its low noise floor. The tuning can be arduous without a knob. If it had a tuning knob it would've been the greatest

[@andrewhill4226]

I didnt like the fact you kept adjusting the Tecsun but not the Sony ?

[@mustafa9100]

Hi there, it's radio Farda and the pronunciation would be " fa"like in ( fabulous) and "da" like in( daughter) meaning "tomorrow". It's in fact "radio free Europe" broadcasting for Iran! Thank you for your videos!

[@debojitacharjee]

Is there any shortwave radio with recording function?

[@tonyperone3242]

I truly expected the Sony to out perform the Tecsun PL 880. The Tecsun won hands down . A surprise since Sony has a reputation for making very good radios. Enjoyed. 73s.

[@marcuskeulertz5852]

I did a filter modification with my SONY ICF SW 7600GR a couple of years ago.

[@thedesertfathers]

The noise floor is substantially lower on the Tecsun, much less fatiguing.

[@Radiodog]

Agreed

[@chronoversum]

Very interesting and great comparison....But you should also try amateur bands for a total look at these two ;-0)

[@cvcoco]

Do you know how I could get my 7600GR repaired? It wont turn on.

[@mcdus78]

Put batteries and press the power button.

[@Ramblequist]

Wow, was that Brother Stair? Damn he's persistent.. lol

[@Ramblequist]

Nick Ranger Yes and he's still peddling over shortwave

[@TheMajkla]

Not anymore:)

[@marcuskeulertz5852]

he´s a pestilence on the shortwave bands god damn he is so annoying with his apocalyptic broadcasts.

[@omaral-amoudi2295]

Although Sony is a leader in this field, Tucson wins.

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

They should be equally turned. Sony was not turned as a tecsum.

[@Radiodog]

They were both using external antennas so the radio position shouldn't matter.

[@omaral-amoudi2295]

AND also tecsun = xhdata

[@spiritofecstasy8525]

The SONY is better! 😊