Which Walkie-Talkie Sounds Best?

A comparison of 8 analogue PMR446 Walkie-Talkie models (Motorola, Amazon & Retevis) comparing their audio quality in a semi-scientific way. I'm using one receiver for all the radios and then analysing the files in Audition to see the differences.
The list below shows the radios I used in the test. If you'd like to support the channel, please use the affiliate links to check out the products on Amazon.
1. Amazon Basics - geni.us/amazonwalkie
2. Motorola T42 - geni.us/motot42
3. Retevis RT622 - geni.us/rt622
4. Retevis RT618 - geni.us/rt618
5. Motorola T82 - geni.us/motot82
6. Motorola T80 - geni.us/t92walkie
7. Motorola XT420 - geni.us/xt420
8. Motorola DP1400 - geni.us/dp1400
What's In The Video?
00:00 - Introduction
02:04 - Detailed Audio Comparison
10:56 - Very Quick Audio Comparison
11:37 - Improving The Audio
13:58 - Conclusions
Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed the video, please subscribe to the channel or give the video a thumbs up. Thank you!
#walkietalkie #motorola #retevis #audiotest

[@tdcattech]

I realise that I shorten the term Squelch Tail Elimination (STE) to just Squelch Tail in the video. Just to clarify that the Squelch Tail is actually the noise that the radio is trying to remove so this could be a bit confusing.

[@wisteela]

Great comparison, and very interesting. And now I understand what squelch tail is. 73s M7TUD

[@14rky]

Nice video, great to hear the audio differences and what you can expect for your money. It would have been interesting to hear a UV-5R in with those too, I've recently bought a pair of Baofeng BF-V8 mini radios and set them up on PMR446, decent sound quality, good spec, and cheap price! Around £22 a pair.

[@wisteela]

I have a V8 too that I use for ham. Great little radio.

[@14rky]

@@wisteela They really are great, super small, easy to program, charge via USB and fantastic build quality.

[@fuzzresponder2225]

Thanks for all the videos, but with all those tests that you have done if you were to recommend one over the others which radio would you recommend for every day use, camping and maybe hiking? MURS or FRS?

[@johannbach1903]

Do you have any info on the Motorola T82 iVox mode? Id like to see it in operation but can't find a single video of someone using it. 😭

[@chrisbrown5337]

Great video! Do you know of a PMR with sound quality of T42 but with USB charging and as slim as the retevis?

[@adycfrbv]

Motorola T82

[@mjomentos7814]

Hi just want to ask if the older version of the maono au a04 has a firmware update?

[@jkinkamo]

I assume the 6.5 kHz audio signal is phantom due to sampling errors. As f2 is 2.55 kHz and strongly supressed above, at least according to standard.

[@patrickpeters8708]

This was helpful but as someone who is hard of hearing, comparing the sound quality of the speaker is more important. Do you have plans to do a video on that?

[@stevendouglas3860]

I'd like to see these walkie talkie on a Building site with multiple floors and see which is most adaptable Clear and ease of use " .. On those you tested ⬆️ the Motorola T80 T82 , seemed a good clear sound .

[@tdcattech]

Yeah, I’d like to do tests like that but I have limited access to operational construction sites for filming 🚧 🙂👍🏻 XT420 or DP1400 would be best purely due to volume on the unit itself. They’re made for that.

[@stevendouglas3860]

@@tdcattech thanks TD . Keep up the reviews . Great channel .👍✅

[@lelenbates3367]

It would be nice for you to do a test were you played the same recording re-transmitted on each device so that a real direct sound comparison is made. You work involved in these videos is much appreciated.

[@russellreal]

Hey TDCatTech, I work in a factory its very noisy, I'm looking for a two way radio that would be able to be heard in a noisy environment, could you recommend a few that would be loud enough to be heard over the sounds of machinery?

[@tdcattech]

Tricky. Although many radios are loud and have great speakers, I would recommend either a shoulder speaker mic so the audio is near your ear or just use an earpiece / headset. The latter is best for both privacy and audibility. Just make sure you find a radio with an accessory port at the side. 👍🏻

[@russellreal]

@@tdcattech I got the T402 right now but the DeWalt radio that they supply at work is so much louder! Also the earpiece accessory I purchased for the t402 is so low also I can't hear literally anything lol. I'm gonna try the T801 and see if its any better, but I doubt it unfortunately :/

[@KnightRiderKARR]

Why walkie-talkies cut top audio frequencies ???

[@nickdsnik1675]

£8, I think that Amazon have surge priced that. Its now closer to £14

[@tdcattech]

£16 for 2 when I bought them. Maybe I was ripped off 😃