Tecsun Q3 FM Stereo / Recorder / MP3 Portable Radio Review

The Tecsun Q3 is the perfect recording companion when space is limited. A FM Stereo radio with a built in MP3 player adds to the value.
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The CBS Radio Workshop: Speaking of Cinderella - If the Shoe Fits
▶ / cbs-radio-of-if-18857651
A test of the Q3's Microphone:
/ q3-microphone-18955992
Ambient Drone:
removed
Features I like about this radio:
Recording function is top notch. Great quality for the price.
Compact size.
MP3 playback.
Speaker audio is very good for it's size.
Headphone quality is fantastic with no background hiss or noise.
Stereo recording, playback, and FM stereo.
Sturdy build quality.
Rechargeable battery.
Comes with a patch cable.
Color choices.
Built in microphone.
Features that could be added or improved on:
Would love to see a normal LCD display.
Better FM reception using a telescoping antenna.
Larger, higher capacity battery. A standard BL-5C would be nice.
Overall a recommended buy if your in the need of a great, compact, Line-In recorder and MP3 playback device. Don't buy it for the FM radio. If you want to record radio directly from a device the Tecsun ICR-110 or a Tivdio V-115 are options. This radio has the advantage of being very compact and virtually noise free on recordings. It is going to see a lot of use by me.
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[@dereknantz4847]

I bought this for my Dad who collects radios and he has been using it like crazy. He absolutely loves it. I’m not a big collector myself but I’m considering getting one myself and it’s all base off your review. Thank you so much!!!!

[@richardmerriam7044]

So far, the Q3 is the best MP3 player that I've bought (I'm new to this technology). I created a tilt back feature by inserting a heavy gauge guitar pick into the battery cover slot. It works! I gave a Q3 to my brother for his birthday. He loves it!

[@todderbert]

I use three of them during the Summer months recording Eskips all day. I remove the batteries and run directly from USB power. Works great. Awesome little portable.

[@liberioescriba6158]

I gave this to my mom for xmas like 2 years ago & she listens to it every night.

[@liberioescriba6158]

Mmm... ok, bots

[@davidhall6535]

Good afternoon. This radio looks exactly the same one I have but mine has a different name. It's a AGPTEK R08. The sound quality is exceptional for such a small radio. I just recently found your videos a few weeks ago and your descriptions very useful. I already had a number of radios dating from the 60s to the present day but since watching your videos I have added to my collection namely a Tecsun pl380 and pl398 also the supersonic and xhdata. I've also ordered a tecsun 110. I find the xhdata sounds quite poor on AM but it's fine on FM and MP3 and like the size as it fits in a pocket with the ad card in it also it has a headphone socket too. The supersonic performs better on AM but not quite as portable. I only hope radio stations in the UK keep broadcasting on AM and FM as this country is going over to DAB but I find a good FM signal is gar better than a DAB Signal but at least I will have the MP3 function to fall back on if that happens.

[@timdailey2690]

Have the white one since 2017. Still running strong with original battery. Use the line in recording primarily.

[@darwinfox6734]

Thanks for your reply. Do you know if the Tecsun ICR-110 can save in one hour file segments? Have you had any experience with the Degen de-28 or Kaito ka-29? They are fairly old models but, are still available. Do you know of any professional mp3 players that can save recorded files in one hour segments? Thanks again! Darwin :)

[@cepheus9856]

How do you compare this to Retekess pr12 mini? Pros and cons of either? Thank you! ☺️

[@CarlosAguila]

I pad $21 with shipping coming my way!!! Wish it also had Bluetooth- that way I would just stream from my phone!! Rather than line-out. :) love the "this radio is gimpy"... comment... priceless.

[@darwinfox6734]

Good evening, I understand that the Tecsun Q3 has the capability of automatically saving a recorded file in one hour segments. Do you know of other recorders that also have that feature? I own the Sangean DAR-101 and the PR-D8, both can save one hour files. Is there anything in Tecsun, Kaito, Degen, Retekess or others that can do this? I like to record one to three hour talk shows that I would like to save in one hour files. If the recorder had an AM and or FM radio, that would be even better. Line in is a must have. Thanks! Darwin :)

[@todderbert]

The Q3 is the only one I have in my arsenal that records one hour segments. It is very handy during the FM E-Skip Season.

[@NickB]

Very interesting! Nice color scheme Tecsun have going on there. Compared to my ICR-100 it has a thumb wheel volume control and all controls on the front. I can recommend these for recordings from portables, particularly when they don't have a recorder output.

[@luckycindy1278]

Is this still a buy at this time? I want a digital radio with a good am frequency... there are limited digital radio here in the Philipinnes... thank u

[@godfellas483]

A better choice in my opinion would be the Retekess V115 Digital Radio AM FM/SW Mp3 player recorder. It uses the BL-5C and the FM/SW radio works much better having a telescopic antenna. It also has the Mega Bass speaker. Although the Q3 does sound good. Good review TB! 😎

[@todderbert]

The Q3 works well when doing extended recordings. It chops them up into one hour files.

[@richardmerriam7044]

The Q3 is my favorite MP3 player. Seemingly faultless, but I hate the antenna.

[@kilouiski]

Hello. Very interesting video. Could you provide me with the receiver full instructions in pdf? And if you have it in Spanish, even better. Thanks a lot. I have forgotten how frequencies are introduced directly into a memory, and more things...

[@FamtechVideos]

What is better? The Tecsun Q3 or ICR110? I am struggling to choose.

[@todderbert]

I don't have the ICR110, but the Q3 is excellent at recording line in. It can monitor, so its volume is independent.

[@FamtechVideos]

@@todderbert Thanks. Do you know anyone who owns both? I am struggling to choose. Also, the Tecsun PL398MP/BT.

[@Buglet720]

I love the line-in recording. I wonder if it would add interference if connected to an AM radio.

[@todderbert]

Depends on the radio. I'm going to test it out with a few of my AM cannons.

[@mauricioroa.9399]

Gran saludo desde Colombia.

[@KarlDahlquist]

Vincent Price! Word!

[@maydellis8240]

I just bought one I tried to record on the FM radio but was unable to do I need to put a Sim card for it to work that's the only reason I bought it, I want a am/FM radio than can record

[@todderbert]

The Tecsun ICR-110 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJzanaNth71_g7M you still need a SD card. This radio has the AM band.

[@mattcatlover333]

You should review the new Sangean HDR-14 I just bought it I love it all ready

[@todderbert]

I looked that up...seems interesting..just wish it was less expensive. Looks like a $30 radio...not a fan of the cabinet design on it. I live in the suburbs/rural area where I may not be able to pick up HD.

[@KarlDahlquist]

I bought the Sangean HDR-14 and put up KZbin bandscan.....great radio IMHO.

[@scottditta7437]

@@todderbert 44445

[@lacrossewieas2411]

There is a sangean recorder!

[@coroamanicolai4527]

Too bad the radio can not be turned off during recording. That would have saved more battery.

[@RadioRich100]

That thing is annoying because you cant stop the MP3 player you can only pause it, and it keeps repeating. Then you dont know what else its doing. It should be stop start like any other player recorder with out the constant repeating which you cant defeat.

[@joestokesbary7343]

This is Way cool

[@todderbert]

A solid line-in recorder that I use during the summer FM DX months to try and capture E-skipping stations.

[@AMDXplusplus]

only FM radio NO AM!

[@todderbert]

Well, I guess I may have a few other radios with AM lying around here somewhere :)

[@ceciliacoman1726]

@@todderbert zzznbblllllllljbggt.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

64 - 108 MHz