Sony ICF-506 FM AM Portable Radio Review

[@todderbert]

▶ The Sony ICF-506 at Amazon USA: amzn.to/2GeHnC9 ▶ The Sony ICF-506 at Amazon CA: amzn.to/2LsNN4r (paid links) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you.

[@clemsonbloke]

AM radio by its nature is muddy, nothing about AM is bright, lol!

[@clemsonbloke]

Also, sometimes brands will roll off the AM just slightly, not a lot, but a tad just to keep it from being so noisy. Sounds pretty good to me. I think you're used to listening to pocket radios more than the bigger speakered ones, haha. Good Radio, thanks Todd.

[@elbowroomtube]

Your the Bob Ross of radio! Love your channel man.

[@tertia0011]

I recently purchased this radio. I'm happy with its reception: longest Dx to date with it is approx. 2,370 km.

[@tertia0011]

I live in Melbourne. 4.45 this morning I picked up a signal with callsign RNZ (Radio New Zealand) at the lower end of the AM band. New Zealand lies to the SE of Victoria across the Tasman sea.

[@dosgos]

Just picked one up. Recommended! Build quality, style, and weight are world-class. I like the tuning & volume knobs too. Great reception on both AM & FM so pulls in a lot of stations (except one local FM station, maybe overpowered signal). The AM is tuned for low-distortion and max channel reception; so the AM sound is a bit less crisp than the FM sound is, as mentioned by todderbert. This review is packed with information and worth listening to.

[@skateboarding118]

Just got my longest dx to date with this radio.... Got a Nashville station from Vancouver, CA at around 4:15 am! Over 4000 km!

[@Antonio-ms6yi]

I live in Prince George BC Canada ,My radio is good in both bands AM & FM ;Good video todderbert

[@NhanNguyen-vq3kr]

Thank you for the video. I just purchased this radio. Really enjoyed it.

[@CortoMalaise]

Hi, thanks for the videos. Sound seems more crispy on the 306 but I'll get this one since it'll stay in my kitchen. AC power is a +++ Greetings from Switzerland

[@dosgos]

To improve radio reception here are some tips. For FM, extend and rotate the metal antenna. For AM rotate the radio. Moving the radio to a different position or room can help too. Some electronics cause radio distortion, so try turning them off or unplugging one-by-one to find the culprit (e.g. LED lights, dimmer switches, phone chargers, power bricks, computers, i-watch chargers...). It might run quieter on batteries but I haven't checked yet.

As I am considering buying this radio or the Panasonic 2400D, which one performs better on FM? And can the antenna on this Sony rotate 360°? I hate it when the antenna can only be swiped in one plane.

[@RobertNES816]

I have this radio. I agree with you about the muffled AM audio. Its not terrible but if only this radio had a tone knob it would really make it allot better. But having said that a radio like this with a 3 watt speaker is really nice and also being able to get 75 hours out of three AA batteries is really something. If you can find one Id recommend the Sony ICF-780. Its also a radio on a chip but it tunes more like a traditional Analogue radio. It has a tone adjustment knob and a large 3 watt speaker like the ICF-506 does however the audio amp seems to have better fidelity since the bass and treble are more pronounced.

[@todderbert]

Thanks for the recommendation. It has an interesting dial. I need a mid range radio like this to review. My GE Super Radio is a bit large and heavy with its 6D batteries. Though I love its sound. When portable radios had Bass/Treble controls.

[@RobertNES816]

todderbert The ICF-780 is no GE Super Radio for sure. Buts its a better radio then the ICF-506 is. The audio quality really is a very noticeable improvement. Selectivity and sensitivity seems to be about equal on both radios. Oh and the ICF-780 also works on AC and DC power to.

[@reypasetes9850]

​@@todderbertc00

[@tomrichardson6525]

My bathroom (and easy to get to portable) radio for over 15 years was my Sony ICF-36. Still have it. replaced it with a Sangean PR-D7. This "bathroom radio's" main job is filling in for my 20 something Wave CD listening to the local news on WBZ1030 as I prepare for the day. If you're going to have step tuning, why not have a digital display? And the PR-D7 has onboard battery charging. The IC-506 probably has the better speaker though.

[@ji7iij]

Really nice video,--- smooth, calm, and helpful ,--thanks friend!

[@lindaeasley5606]

Rediscovering the transistor radio ❤ They are very handy.You can take them with you everywhere and weigh less than a pound. I have an FM radio with my phone but who wants to run down their phone battery?

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

*_I think it's a cleaner admission to the AM band at Sony icf19, though. What do you think?_*

[@marcosmza1962]

Good receiver. It must be that for MW uses a relative narrow bandwith filter and affect the audio quality, but seems to be sensitive and with good selectivity. For a general purpose or kitchen radio, I think it works properly. That's my humble opinion. 73!

[@todderbert]

Its a good make for sure. I love my Sony's. Though the current Panasonic 2400D I reviewed is getting more play time atm.

[@saniabdulla]

Hello sir, I want to buy a radio, can you recommend me between this radio and tecsun r9700dx, which one is better?

[@todderbert]

The AM and FM performance on the Sony may be better, and run times on batteries are amazing. The Tecsun has Shortwave and a backlit dial. Depends on your needs.

[@baneverything5580]

@@todderbert I`m waiting on a Sony ICF-19 and Tecsun R9700dx to arrive. I don`t like DSP but the Sony seemed to work very well in your review and I wanted a radio that would run for hundreds of hours on a set of batteries in case the current SHTF situation gets even worse. And hell, with this disease going around I might be dead soon so I decided to buy some extra radios to play with.

[@dragokk2034]

Very good radio! Sony is alway a top choice 👍📻👌🔝

[@FandCCD]

How does the audio compare to that of the ICF-38? It sounds pretty comparable but it’s been a while since I’ve listened to mine.

[@todderbert]

The 38 and the 506 are similar, but the 38 does have a tone switch that helps.

[@bubu-tk2sb]

I need this one too, last time I got a p36 after watching your review, but I've been played for week at my sis salon and ran bunch of batteries, this got ac thanks so much for your review.

[@todderbert]

I like this one. There will be some revisit videos airing soon :)

[@bubu-tk2sb]

todderbert please don't change the red table sheet on your video background, it does add a warm view while enjoying all of your videos. Thanks you ;-)

[@OwenPrescott]

Do you think this is a good manual spirit/ghost box? Doesn't matter if people believe in that sort of thing, just want similar sweeping radio effect

[@todderbert]

I'm not sure, I know nothing about ghost box radios and what makes a good one.

[@charlesduby4602]

Owen Prescott that radio would make an excellent ghost detector radio!

[@dougsvideos4441]

The radio has a DSP. Chip in it. That's why you have to tune slowly. Most radios have been doing that for awhile. I have radios with and without I am not sure which I like better.

[@todderbert]

I enjoy the extra selectivity of a quality DSP radio, allowing me to listen to fainter stations. Though I do like a smooth non-AFC analog FM tuner.

[@balohna]

Do you know if the headphone jack outputs stereo sound? I have some decent speakers and just want a small simple radio to plug them into.

[@todderbert]

Sadly its not stereo..I love my stereo radios when I can get them. www.sony.com/electronics/radios/icf-506/specifications

[@balohna]

Ah, mono in both ears might be okay! Not expecting amazing sound over the airwaves, just didn't want a speaker sitting unused. Thanks.

[@todderbert]

Well I found a new radio you may want to check out, it has FM stereo on the headphone jack and gets decent FM reception. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqS6n4qYlLJ6jNU

[@balohna]

todderbert awesome! Thanks, checked out your video and will likely go with that one.

[@mrq-]

Is this loud enough for FM drive in theatre movie?

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

SONY CONTINUES TO MAKE TOP NOTCH RADIOS!📻🎶🎶🎶

[@ernestopantohan9866]

Really nice radio, amazing

[@charlesduby4602]

Wow that is definitely different circuitry call it step tuning,I got to get one of them,I mean I like the old way of course but that's nice very strong also.

[@gmzx3]

I believe it has a digital signal processor chip in it, so that causes the similar to FM AFC effect.

[@alenk4682]

Can it work without the 3 AA batteries?

[@domi3722]

Bonsoir, moi c'est juste pour écouter la FM. Les stations sont faciles a trouver et stables ?.

[@todderbert]

Oui, cette radio a une excellente réception et sélectivité FM.

[@domi3722]

Ok merci beaucoup.

[@charlesduby4602]

Wow the f.m. is great too,I'm a back in the day old school kind of guy you know the a.f.c. days somewhere along the way it was decided a.f.c. had too go, I gave the radio a high rating.

[@MalditoSeasEstadoDelsrael]

Is there a radio in the same price range with similar am reception and a better speaker? I'd even consider older/used models- I just want a radio that sounds good and can be carried around the house, im currently clumsily carrying a Toshiba rp-2000f because it good quality sound, but its the size of a shoe box and weighs like 7 pounds with batteries on.

[@metitusable]

Hi, does it need the batteries to operate? Thanks

[@Mgaga97]

From what it seems, no - it has a power cable input socket (looks like regular radio inlet cable socket - without the ground)

[@mohammedfaisal3786]

Sir, tecsun 200 loop suitable for this radio?

[@corazinedorado6840]

please friend this radio is still produced in 2020? do you have the date that this radio was produced?

[@todderbert]

These are still on sale in the States, at Amazon: amzn.to/2ChhNQi

[@jeffking4176]

I really don’t like this new “step tuning “ . Its a pain. Reception seems decent enough. I really like the large dial/ black on white- very easy to see.

[@todderbert]

This is a pretty radio, but I returned it due to that dreaded step tuning and charlie brown sound speaker on the AM.

[@anthonycosta1776]

I’m surprised you didn’t think this is an excellent AM radio for pulling in fringe dx. Try it with a passive loop like select a tenna . It rivals the ep pro and cc 2e

[@Tekashi-oe1wj]

I buying the Radio now i wondering how it is?

[@todderbert]

You will enjoy it. The DSP is rather good and locks on the stations. FM is excellent, and the sound quality is impressive. I like the dual power option also.

[@vu3mes]

How's AM DX reception please

[@radiowavemaniac]

9:15 Popular Polish song

[@mcdus78]

A power cord! Thank you Sony!

[@Matthew-dd2gp]

I had my 1973 Sony CFS-828S MK2 Radio Cassette-Corder

[@torstenhranchuk7]

anyone know if the headphone jack is mono or stereo?

[@todderbert]

Mono.

[@torstenhranchuk7]

Thanx very nice of you to get back to me best regards happy holiday's @@todderbert

[@todderbert]

Happy Holidays!

[@Callatis]

What's the great choice for AM? Sony ICF506 or Panasonic RF3500E9-K?

[@todderbert]

The 506 is built well, and should be good against most radios. Not sure of the Panasonic since I have never tested one.

[@ИгорьБелевич-ш4э]

Can you send me any old,analog am or mw radio receiver sony to belarus?

[@MarcosReis18]

Good night, I just got to know the channel. I'm looking for a radio the size of this one, to serve me as a desktop radio that can be plugged into an outlet. The best I've seen so far are this and Panasonic's RF-2400D, but I'm having trouble with places to buy, as I live in Brazil and both are only available to buy outside the country. Could you help me by recommending other models that can meet my need? Thank you for your work!

[@todderbert]

Prunus J-15: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGi6eXahprqUhsU

[@MarcosReis18]

@@todderbert thanks bro

[@miimaker2120]

Anyone review Waxiba mp-995 solar-based radio? I found this being sold on Greek website, interesting radio

[@gilvanjunior8858]

I love This Channel but a don't speak english 😭😭😭

[@todderbert]

Keep Rocking!

[@corazinedorado6840]

great value for money radio 👍

[@3dhYT]

The place for the cable should be in the back, not on the side.

[@ernestopantohan9866]

Top choice

[@شموخرجل-ع6ب]

Nice radio 📻📻📻📻

[@todderbert]

Nice, clean design. Great reception also. One of my favorites.

[@شموخرجل-ع6ب]

I have Sony j40

[@mcdus78]

شموخ رجل I want to buy your radio. How much?

[@شموخرجل-ع6ب]

@@mcdus78 where are you from

[@mcdus78]

شموخ رجل I am here in Qatar. Are you selling it? How much?

[@firozmohammed222]

Radio nice

[@dosgos]

Should have watched your video before purchasing. Mono FM headphone!!!

[@michaeldhondt368]

Just bought it yesterday same result, I bought it and now watched the video

[@dosgos]

@@michaeldhondt368 One big advantage of mono FM is that the reception is much better. So you will hear more stations with less noise. I SPECULATE this has Sony's famous radio on a chip. That has stereo but those pins were simply not tapped for the headphones.

[@michaeldhondt368]

@@dosgos Thanks I will look for a good quality mono headphone to use with my new radio. I am happy with the good reception this radio gets

[@АлександрМорев-м8ь]

👍

[@mbaslacker6373]

I cannot recommend the Sony ICF-506 as an AC powered office radio. The power socket is not deep enough to securely hold the power cord in place. Any small movement will cause the radio to momentarily lose power or cause the cord to fall out. A rare design flaw by Sony. So back to the store it goes....

[@abrahamantoniosanchezrubio7136]

👵👴💜📻

[@mikkei3532]

Panasonik DX2400 is much better