Tecsun PL-660 vs Sangean ATS-909X

Testing and comparing the two radios on SW, SW-SSB, LW and MW.
Antennas: telescopic/internal.
In my opinion the 909X wins on LW and MW, but on SW the Tecsun is much more sensitive. I still prefer the 909X though; it works better with a really long antenna, has a nicer sound and a gorgeous display. Plus, the FM is very good on the Sangean.

[@BillboardPenguin]

I own both radios, and I prefer the Sangean. The 909X has far better reception on MW. I will agree that a stock 660 will receive SW better than a stock 909X if neither is connected to an external antenna. However, with a decent antenna, the 909X is the better receiver, with cleaner audio and a lower noise floor. In my experience, the Sony ICF-SW7600GR, using just its whip antenna, exceeds the whip performance of both the 660 and the 909x. The only major complaint I have with the Sony is images on strong signals. The soft mute of the Tecsun is annoying to me, making it more difficult to hear weak signals. And then there's the issue of quality control. I've had much better luck with Sangean products than those made by Tecsun. My DX-398 (a Sangean ATS-909), purchased in 1996, has been trouble-free all these years, even with heavy use. Several Tecsun made portables I've purchased since 2005 have either died or have begun to exhibit erratic behavior.

[@lkh0120]

BillboardPenguin ㅑ

[@pontiacreddz4021]

I agree with you on the Sony 7600 it’s just to bad they didn’t make frequency dialing the same as the PL660 with the knob and not the push buttons. The reception on the 7600 is fantastic I still love my PL660 but the 7600 is great.

[@teunaydin]

Icf 2010 best all time see my videos

[@KB2CWN]

John Case. My comparisons were done on stock receivers, no modifications performed. Out of the box, the 660 is a better receiver. Now, if you want to make some mods, we can even make the 660 better than it is. Most receivers can be modified for better receive, but not everyone is willing to take things apart and tinker with something they have no knowledge about. So, for the average "Joe", if your looking for a better receiver "Out of the box" the 660 is a better choice.

[@YO8VET]

Generally speaking, very sensitive radios like the PL-660, or the Degen DE-1103 overload easily when using high gain antennas. Even a 5 meter wire can cause overload. An antenna preselector is a must for those radios. The Sangean ATS-909X is less sensitive but it works very well with external antennas.

[@jamespatterson7218]

Yes the 909X only needs a long antenna and pulls HF in far better than the PL660.Also the PL 660 distorts badly on weak SSB signals,Also over loads on a long antenna even with the gain switch turned down.The PL 660 is a very sensitive radio ,allowing any outside electrical interference to disturb your listening.However with just the telescopic antenna,it works very well on all bands and is a very good DXing receiver.I own both the "Flag Ship" 909X and compareing both radios perfere to use the 909X because even though it is a quieter radio,without all that electrical static,it only needs a long wire attached to the external antenna input and you will never over load it.Pulls in all stations perfectly and SSB is very clean and crisp.Only thing missing for me is the UHF Air Craft band.I dont use the sync detector on the PL660 because I find it is only a glorified circuit,the radio holds the stations just as well with out it.The 909X also holds the stations,so I dont miss it either.I recomend both radios,but they certainly are not on a par.It all depends how you use them and understand them.I have watched some You Tube demos of these radios and others, made by very imature people who dont understand them,twisting the knobs so fast and tuning off frequency,even tuning SSB wrongly useing LSB instead of USB on the wrong frequencies.Makes me wonder why they have bought the radios,because they certainly are not "toys".

[@aaronhyde5249]

Summary of Video: SSB: Tecsun Wins MW: Sangean Wins LW: Tie SW: The Tecsun is a bit better

[@KandiKlover]

Nah Sangean all around.

[@YO8VET]

Yes, a 10-15 m wire can make a big difference on the Sangean. I currently use a 100m longwire with great success. I also use a 9:1 balun for wire antennas because the input impedance on the Sangean seems to be 50 ohms or so. And it works very well. The Tecsun overloads with such antennas.

[@XCR30]

The PL660 is an exceptionally good MW and SW radio for the money, period. For the FM, the tiny PL 380 is a better choice.

[@pesnyaozemle]

I agree ! The SSB sound of 909X is the greatest of all portables on market, I think. I think this make up for AM sync of PL-660. The reasons why I still use PL-660 are its size and price... Of course PL-660 is one of the best portable SSB receiver.

[@Monttalban]

Hi Tudor, I enjoyed your comparison video. Thanks. I just bought the PL-660 and haven´t received it yet, but I`m looking forward for that. Watching your video, I´m glad I´ve done the right choice in my purchasing. This radio seems to be very good. Let me ask you this, what kind of simple antenna could I put up in the country where I work to get better signal transmition? Just a VHF common antenna? Thanks for helping. :-)

[@YO8VET]

I know how it is, my wife always tells me I have WAY too many radios! :)

[@rodrigoroaduterte9415]

To discover full ATS-909X potential you need to use the wire antenna that comes standard with it. For some reason the built in gives rather week performance on SW.

[@DXLUPO]

The most underestimated radio is probably the Sangean 909x. Where it is not quite as sensitive, use a long wire antenna. Sangean is ease of use and the display is top and dont forget RDS!!

[@jeffking291]

Both are capable radios, but the price of the ATS-909X, which is almost double that of the PL-660, just isn’t worth it. I have the older ATS-909, and from all the info available, there’s not that much difference in the new. I have the PL-880, the CCSKywaveSSB, XHData D-808, as well as the PL-660 and PL-600. The PL-660 is the best, here,especially given the price difference. 📻🙂

[@pesnyaozemle]

Thank you for uploading : ) I'd like to own 909X but my wife won't agree so far.

[@teunaydin]

pesnyaozemle how are you my old friend you sent me part for my 2001 d you remember?

[@YO8VET]

@Mark3785 All these radios (1103, PL-660, 909x) overload when using high gain untuned antennas. I am using a passive preselector with a 100m wire antenna and it works very well.

[@locoman1963]

I have both radios the Tecsun 660 is the clear winner the Sangean just isn't as sensitive

[@johncase7564]

Try doing the 4:1 BALUN mod (files section in the Yahoo Group for the Sangean ATS-909X) on the 909X. Simple to do, and easy to remove if required. I boosts the signal from the whip antenna more than 3 bars, and blows the Tecsun's away on sensitivity and weak audio recovery. It is especially effective in SSB. I'm telling ya that it is like having a new radio.

[@Doggieman1111]

John Case yeah, we know. No normal person wants to do that mod, seems like a real pain in the ass.

[@YO8VET]

@biggysground that's really not an issue. The interference between radios is negligible.

[@cvcoco]

The comparison might not be fair. Why didnt you try to fine tune the 909X to get the station better? It might be 7148 or 7142, etc.

[@paulopales2645]

That sangean is not Worth the price tag! Thanks for opening my eyes.

[@alaska3333]

Nice comparison! I already own the Tecsun PL-660, but I tried the Sangean 909X just to find out which one is the better for medium wave reception (my favourite band). I noticed that the Sangean doesn't sound very pleasant to listen to for long periods of time. Especially during moments of fading (QSB) in the signal, there is a large amount of high pitched distortion that sounds like the audio is clipping, or crackling. My Tecsun sounds much "smoother" with less distortion. Although the Sangean seems a bit more sensitive for medium wave, after an extended time of testing, the distortion annoyed me too much and I ended up returning it. Just my two cents.

[@Meridianux]

@Tudor Vedeanu - Salut! E mai bun Sangean pe LW? Multumesc! Poti face test pe LW cu cele doua? Multumesc!

[@medo123345]

Hello dear..I Wana one of the two which one you recommend for me I like powerful radio with telescope antenna and clear sound.pls adv

[@vomitadoz]

Ola Reinaldo! O tecsun 660 funciona bem na escuta aérea ? Ou posso comprar o galaxie mk-13? qual sua opiniao e obrigado

[@goliduk6515]

Hello sir can your adjust a fine tune segean radio??

[@worseto1]

Would it make a difference if the tecsun had a different antenna

[@OsageArcher1066]

I agree with your conclusions, as you say the 909x is fine as a "portatop" with an external antenna, with I think a better overall sound quality than the PL660 although the Tecsun as a portable using the whip antenna is more sensitive. Overall these are both fine radios though!

[@YO8VET]

As a standalone radio, yes, the Tecsun is better. But the Sangean works much better with external antennas than the Tecsun.

[@KB2CWN]

My 660 blows my Sangean 909X away. Very stylish but poor sensitivity.. The 660 is $100 less and a much better receiver. Buyer beware, if you plan on purchasing a 909X at the crazy price everyone is asking, you will be disappointed with its performance against a Tecsun or Grundig receiver.

[@johncase7564]

See my comments about the 4:1 Balun mod for the 909X. My 909X kicks the asses of the PL-880 and PL-660 now. There is no comparison when using the whip antenna after the mod.

[@Doggieman1111]

John Case Your mod seems to involve ordering several obscure parts on the 'net and then wrapping wire around something and attaching it to the radio. Not anything most people are interested in trying to accomplish.

[@مهندس_علي]

thank you for your comment 🌹

[@ofthedawn]

@@johncase7564 can I just use a whip antenna without having to mad something?

[@Mark3785]

My concern with the 909X is that the coarse 40 Hz tuning step and lack of a fine tuning control would cause problems tuning SSB accurately, not to mention ECSS. Any comments from owners? I would buy this receiver in an instant if it had a synchronous detector and a fine tuning control.

[@KB2CWN]

How about showing everyone a video on your channel John Case, explaining exactly what you have done with your 909x and letting everyone hear how the mod improved your receiver?

[@abojafar7967]

Who is the better with the short-wave

[@YO8VET]

@glk001 which table top receiver would you recommend?

[@radiotecsun]

Good morning friend? Have you ever tuned into a radio station on shortwave here in Brazil? I live here in the state of Minas Gerais Brazil shortwave stations here broadcast bands of 49 meters, 25 meters and 31metros and also topical in banda 60 meters. A big hug and good listening!!

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

_Well done for the review._

[@YO8VET]

Before calling the test "stupid", you should know that on the Sangean 909X, MAX means maximum GAIN, not maximum attenuation. Inform yourself before jumping to conclusions.

[@YO8VET]

Neither the Tecsun PL-660 nor the Sangean ATS-909X has continous LW-MW tuning, although both radios do cover the whole AM spectrum (100 kHz - 29999 kHz).

[@senderjaeger]

Nice comparison and video. I agree with you. the Sangean has excellent sound especially on SSB and it works great with "real" antennas. DXing on the amateur radio bands is a pleasure with it as you might have seen/heard in my videos. I also like the display and its excellent backlight very much. For mobile SW broadcast DXing I'd prefer the PL-660 though due to its better sensitivity with the built-in antenna. However, regarding sound quality on SSB, the Tecsun can't compete with the 909X.

[@ArabAstronomy]

I just got my tecsun PL-660 but I dunno why even with new rechargeables with the charging function on it wont charge them. I tried to reset it and let it turn off but nothing. neither the rachargables included or the new energizer Ni-MH are charging. Help is appreciated thx! a good lil radio it is BTW.

[@cvcoco]

@ArabAstronomy Are you sure it has a re-charging function or you just assume it does if you use re-chargeable batteries? Example, the Sony cannot charge from a wall.

[@carlosgalileoserna2854]

Donde. Puedo. Comprarlo. I. Q. Cuesta y que cuesta

[@markwilliams8702]

Have the 909x and find it an excellent radio all round. Thanks for the video. Regards Dj1

[@altexlan415]

I have both Tecsun PL-660 n Sangean ATS-909X. I sold off the Tecsun PL-660.

[@biggysground]

Oh contrare, take a cheap radio and tune in the same freq as a good one and sensitivity and response will improve due to the good radio's tuner pulling in and resonating the freq. Much the same way the tunable loop antenna resonates near a radio to enhance reception. You have lots to learn my friend.

[@ionutdohotariu3954]

Buna ziua! De unde ati cumparat tecsun-ul? eu am gasit pe ebay, in china, dar acum nu mai au voie sa trimita si acumulatorii. Pretul era undeva la 85USD + 30 transport (cam piperat transportul)... Iar pe amazon e vreo 100 de lire... Ionut

[@YO8VET]

Am cumpărat Tecsunul de pe eBay acum vreo doi ani.

[@andreicola4005]

La care se mai adaugă si 85 lei taxe vamale. Anon-co îți trimite si 4 buc acumulatori de 1000 mA .

[@angelicawalker646]

Hi anyone, I want to buy a radio for my mother here in NY-USA that is able to connect brazilian radio stations. What is the best one please? Thanks a lot for your help!

[@YO8VET]

@Mark3785 the 40 Hz tuning step is enough for good SSB listening.

[@joistein]

I like the sound on PL-660 on SSB better than the 909X .

[@Mark3785]

I have the Kaito version of the 1103, not a bad radio but not in the same league as the Tecsun. (Can't comment on the Sangean since I don't have one.) The 1103 is very susceptible to intermod and images just on the whip, I couldn't imagine it with a higher gain antenna.

[@glk001]

This is one of several videos I watched while making a decision on a portable communications radio. My decision boiled down to the two radios. I decided for half the price, the Tecsun was the better choice. My 660 has since stop charging the batteries and has that 1 khz off on medium wave alignment, I've read so much about. Although I enjoy it, I wouldn't buy another portable receiver. Many table top receivers can be used as a protable, with much better results. Spend the money for a good radio.

[@richw1907]

HAY, I'm hearing a lot of "they are good radios". BUT I'm looking for a GREAT radio, Iv got a GOOD radio in my DX440. IV been looking at the PL880 but I don't want to get it till they work out the bugs, and how does it compare to the PL660? Any body have experience with the PL880??? 73's KD7YKR

[@deandenton9295]

Rich W The sync is better on the 660, thats all I know.

[@carlosgalileoserna2854]

Me gusta. El. ATS. 909x me gusta el ats909x encuentro mejor recepción de audio y de alcance isec selectividad

[@malaknaderkhandawar6729]

What it price

[@tamagochy475]

very good Sangean ATS-909X but taking into account the economic factor I prefer TECSUN-PL660 to be much cheaper but ready! can not have everything 73

[@N4GW]

At least on SSB, Tecsun is the winner

[@mrontheotherside]

Man, that Sangean was totally owned by the Tecsun. If it weren't for my fear of mechanical wear and Tecsun's analog potentiometers, I'd buy one. But since the 909X doesn't have a sync detector nor continuous LW-MW (how is that possible in a 200USD portable!), I'd be better off with the cheaper Degen 1103. Thanks for the comparison!

[@rockitguitar1918]

My 909x kicks my pl880s bumm with a 80 ft external antenna

[@Nightwatchman247365]

Be better if you were out of the wind!

[@telemenkonstantin1307]

Такая же проблема! PL660 намного лучше и чувствительнее!

[@RedStar9412]

XHDATA D-808 еще чувствительнее, и дешевле. У меня есть оба.

[@YO8VET]

@biggysground You're talking theoretically. I was talking about this specific test I did. Please stop assuming you're wiser than others you don't know, okay?

[@GuiiXplay]

Sangean até 909, muita frescura e preço absurdo. Sou mais o tecsun !!

[@biggysground]

You cannot get a good test by tuning a sw radio next to another sw radio because of resonance and inductance.

[@JHCV1976]

I pressed the wrong button, but Joe M: maybe you should walk in your own shoes and not make these stupid remarks! I hope Buchenlander ignores your reaction

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

_Shame on the Sangean ATS-909X. How much it costs and nothing has sensitivity._

[@maticam19]

tecsun the best

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

_Tecsun beats it on all frequencies._

[@cubistone]

660

[@Interativamixfm]

Sangean only wheezing

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

Sangean is not worth the money. Much cheaper devices have better reception on the AM and SW band.I'm right.

[@bill1971gr]

.....and with a lower price! pl-660 is a great cheap radio.

[@boycoter]

sangean fragile des antenes je utilise dan voitures pour tester autoradio original pegeot bad renault bad radio sienens goud tre sensible tre selectif UUPF0.01

[@GuiiXplay]

Não Compraria.

[@kuchingtan]

China 1 Taiwan 0.