Dismal USB audio level on the Sangean ATS-909X2: comparing with the Tecsun PL-880 

I just got My Sangean and here is my impression and I hope to get your feedback. First of all Compared to the price of the device, there are two things that seem incredible to me. This device was supplied to me without the batteries. Know that in France, I paid more than 300 euros While all the others (tecsun, XHDATA) have their original battery. Also, I'm surprised that this radio doesn't have a wrist strap that provides security. to avoid dropping the radio. Let's move on to the technical side. In my opinion this radio has very good FM and Air Band reception. On the other hand, I very much regret that the LW and MW range are affected by a noise that covers the distant stations. I think that this noise is also caused by the clock block part etc ... I am very disappointed because I love to capture MW even in the middle of the day and if you have an idea to reduce those parasites would be great. I am also disappointed by the SSB band for the low volume but it was mentioned hundreds times. This radio has reception problems on the different bands that I mentioned. It's a shame because I have Firmware 078 and nothing is really superb. If you have any solutions and opinions for me, thank you for your comments

I bought a X2 when they first came out. I sent it back two weeks later for that same reason. Hard to believe Sangean would even ship those radios with that audio. You couldn't even get kicked out of the public library with that audio!😂😂

Good lord that is faint thumbs up for the Tecsun have a good week sir me back to work

I went back and re-tested my ATS-909X2 audio levels and they are perfect!! very happy...

I had the Sangean on my Christmas list - and then I watched this video and took it off again before my wife could waste her money on it. I want a radio with SSB capability, and one that is almost inaudible in SSB mode, at that price, is as much use as a paper crash helmet.

I have the PL-880 and with a long wire Shannon Volmet is loud!. I live in the Scottish Borders too....

I say that you are spot on with your opinion of the Tecsun pl880 as one of the best radios currently available , and Matthias ended up swearing by it with some brilliant results with it.

@DXingSlovenija had the same problem. He even sent the radio back to Sangean (check out his channel). They said either accept the radio as it is, or they would have given him a full refund. I bought the 909X2 in white from Martin Lynch and Sons. I have the exact same issues that you have mentioned. I decided to keep it, as I like it. Not great though and far too expensive, to not be able to perform on the SSB (both LSB/USB). However, plug in an external antenna and you’re ok. It’s just “quiet” when using the whip.

Just carry the Reel type supplied portable antenna wire with you and hook it up anywhere and the audio on SW/SSB will improve with the incoming signals.Thats what I do now because the telescopic antenna is only good for FM.Not any other band,unless you have the 909X2 with local Air Band.

A big difference in the audio level and sensitivity from what I can hear. I have the PL330 and the PL600. I'm looking at the PL660 to get airband or the PL880. I think either ate better than the PL990. I thought the Sangean was the ants pants but that looks not to be true. Cheers for the demo and info.🍻🤠

One of the most beautiful radios but sent back after such frustration with SSB volume.

Ah bummer, i have an old Grunding G3 world traveler and it's started showing it's age, and i was looking at the shiny new Sangean 909x2, the white color version, but you have now convinced me to look at the Tecsuns, probably the 660 or 680 since i want to keep air band as well.

Love my 880!

To be fair the 880/990x Tecsuns are some pretty loud ass radios. But I'll always love the style and long telescopics of the 909 series more.

Is there away inside the radio circuit to improve this problem?

Clint if you really wanted to embarrass Sangean, just place your Belka-DX on the speaker grille of the ATS-909X2....:)! 73 and have a nice day!

Why is the audio reception so dull on the ATS 909x Telescopic antenna? You would think Sangean would have improved this problem with the newer 909X2.

Such a shame as I love the look of the Sangean and with RDS on the FM band it would make a great travel radio. That ssb problem is a deal breaker though. I will be stickiing to my D808 and Belka i think!

Tried 3 different productions models of these Sangean 909x2s but sent them all back, as well as the SSB audio, across all AM bands stations were 5khz off frequency so the stations on 9670khz was on 9665khz on the Sangean and can not be re-calibrated, also they were infected with birdies and sporadic ghost carriers. At least with the Tecsuns you can re-calibrate on SSB (tune it by ear then log press USB or LSB until the screen flashes and sets it to 00) and get decent loud audio. I wont be going near another one of these 909x2s anytime soon. 73s Clint.

I recently bought the Tecsun PL-660, but performance is inferior to my old Eton E5, the Tecsun being rather deaf by comparison. It also has poor audio quality. Most (maybe all) new radios are DSP-based, which I suspect is the main problem.

Ah this is what puts me right off buying another. The first one I bough which I quickly sent back had an annoying whining noise across the MW band. Has the latest firmware fixed the low audio on SSB maybe ? No, probably not !

I enjoy my 880

Maybe the telescopic antenna is filtered too much?

Mine is good (audio) and no other problems. I recommend the Sangean ATS-909X2 fully..

Seems like almost everything that's come out lately has a QC problem. Pretty disheartening.

إتجاه الهوائي يلعب دوراً انت لم تجعل الاتجاه في الجهازين نفس الوضعية

Um rádio lindo e não funciona !

Can a 5-element FM antenna be connected to this Tecsun? If so, how will it work?