Icom IC-7300 vs Kenwood TS-590SG Beyond Comparison 

The Icom 7300 is the Lamborghini, flashy does everything, and the Kenwood 590SG is the Porsche 911, built with the best parts with an improved classic design.

I'm going for the ts590 !

Good stuff..Both are very good radios, we have the TS-590S at the club, one of the major differences between the two though is the TX duty cycle, the Kenwood is 100% and will just be getting warm while the Icom has melted the finals, this is the main reason for the huge weight difference, the Kenwood has been designed as a true competition rig, I like both and in July I will be looking for a new rig, I know what I want but I can not decide what to buy.................. Jeep life

The TS-590SG has 56 glorious buttons on the front panel.

This video made my mind up. Im getting the TS-590SG. It looks and sounds like a work horse. Thanks de KK4LGL Derrick

In 2022- I’d say get a new FTdx10 and a used 590sg (sdrplay) - FTDX10 for ghost signal cw and 590sg for good rx/tx audio on SSB- this is the 9/10ths version of having a TS890 and FTDX5k / 101 for the same purposes. If what I’m writing doesn’t make sense to you, buy a 7300 or 7610 and enjoy! They are all great!

Most excellent video. Thank you!

Yet another great review. Both rigs have USB audio and controls, which is the must for the modern rig. Either one of it is a good rig which suit someone's needs. Thank you, Bahathir 9W2GNU, 73.

I owned a 7300 for a short time. They're applauded for their ability to handle QRM and pick signals out of the noise, but I just didn't see it. Once the novelty of the band scope wore off, it was a fairly average receiver - not bad by any means, just not the game changer everyone always wants to make it out to be. I sold it after several months. I just picked up a nice used 590SG, and I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces.

Very informative. Thank you.

Thanks for this video! Great content!

I've had both the 590SG and the 7300. I think the 590SG is FABULOUS for SSB. Absolutely haven't owned a better radio (in this price range). For shortwave listening I never was really pleased with it. It was okay. Then I got the 7300. The 7300 seems really good on SSB and Fabulous on shortwave. That just suits me better. Given all that... I miss the 590 for SSB. Would I buy another 590... absolutely. Would I buy another 7300... absolutely. Again just my perception and your mileage will vary.

Bottom line: If you prefer traditional radios with buttons instead of menus - go with the Kenwood. On the other hand, if you prefer modern radio's with state of the art technology, then go with the Icom. If you don't care about the spectrum scope, then go with the Kenwood as it is built better.

Thanks for an excellent video Jarrad. I'm an experimenter. The TS-590SG wins for me hands down for all of the reasons you mentioned. I may buy one with my tax return :) 73 from Andrew, VK2XXL

Great video Jarrad. Thank you for sharing! 73 VK3FJBO

Why I bought the TS-590SG - more options, more features, "Kenwood" sound! Hooked up an SDRPlay and off I went! Fantastic radio and I never looked back! Watching your videos, you are definitely an Icom guy, which is evident by the fact that you don't actually review any Kenwood gear. The Kenwood was my FIRST HF radio and works great as a FIRST radio!

Hello, I could use some help. I have a Kenwood 590 and an ACOM 700S amp. I need the correct control cable that will key my amp. I'm guessing I can make one. The ACOM amp has an RCA input that says KEY. What connector do I need on the other end to connect to my Kenwood 590? Thank you much. Mel

Nice comparison. Had a TS2000 that went south. Went with 7300 and glad I did. I don’t like mixing the computer with the radio. Love the filers and the control of them on the Icom.

Hello, I came across your videos and couldn't stop watching them. This video in particular got me thinking about the Icom IC-7300. I had a chance to play with it and it's fun to operate. Being a Kenwood girl, I would welcome this radio in my shack. Thanks again for the videos, they're very educational, you made me a subscriber. :-)

Jarrad, What is the radio of these can perform better in contest? kenwood TS 590SG VS ICOM IC 7300? 73

I looked at both radios very closely, and bought the Kenwood. It just feels and sounds quality. The Icom seems delicate and flimsy. I like not having to dive into the menue to do things.

Thanks for the objective and informative video, Jarrad. Last year, I went back and forward between these two radios until I decided to buy the 590SG. In my case, the form factor was important as I was looking for an upgrade (especially in RX) from my ageing TS2000 and the 590SG fit the bill perfectly. It's close enough to the TS2000 to operate, but offers many more up to date features as you point out in the video, plus has a superb RX. I hooked mine up to the SDR Play, which gives me a full-size panadapter, appreciate the USB out for digi and CAT control, and have never regretted the decision to buy it. I too found having to solder the DIN plug for the amp out rather than just using the RCA plug as on the TS2000 a minor scutter, but once done it's plug in and forget.

I just swapped my 7300 for a 590SG a few days ago and the Kenwood RX & TX audio quality is not up with the Icom in terms of richness of tone, however, the receiver on the 590 is much better at rejecting my neighbor's 2500W of QRM and the 590 NB/NR also seems to be more effective. The cabinet/case is twice the strength on the 590 and the RF Gain is as an amateur rig is supposed to be! *I was seriously considering a 7610 until I discovered that it also has the backwards 7300-type CB-style RF Gain. To Hell with THAT!*

On air test would last for DAYS - hi. Just got IC7300 - CW ops will appreciate vastly less filter and atmospheric noise at 500hz, cost cutters will enjoy the TCXO is built into IC7300 at no extra cost. I don't like rubbery buttons, the Kenwood is loaded with them. Most of all, TS590 is conventional (in a very good way), but IC7300 has a brand new wave of features and they seemingly never end once you start trying them. Been operating since 1975 and the engineers have included everything I desire in this one small device and made it intuitive. I paid $1099 for IC7300, TS590 is $1350 add TCXO - both wonderful rigs depending on which way you want to roll. ;-)

Great comparison thanks. I notice that we seem to be seeing a fair amount of kenwoods on the used market - as perhaps folks rush to newer designs, radios w band scopes etc.

I'm working all the hours I can to afford the Kenwood.Im buying the Kenwood because it's pretty much future proof.

Hi Jarrad. I'm considering the purchase of new rig - the piggy bank is open. I'm licenced less than a year and have great fun with my venerable secondhand Yaesu FT 840 - which shares the antenna with an SDRPlay (I just can't get them to work together though). I was really attracted to the 7300 as my next rig before watching this video. If I'm reading you right - should go I with TS-590SG and just integrate the SDRPlay - do you reckon that is a superior set up? 73 Adrian EI9HAB

You can connect both a cw keyer and a bug on the Kenwood and use either one at any time whereas on the 7300 there is only one connection and you have to go into the menus to change from bug to keyer.

Insightful comments about not buying a radio based on sensitivity or any other single feature. Thanks for that

Hi Jarrad, Thanks for the comparison review. I had the opportunity to try a friends 590S a couple of years ago for a few months and found it was a very nice receiver similar to my TS 990, but with less features. TX also good. Then six months after that I purchased the 7300 and found it to be the absolute best bang for the buck bar none. Just love the clarity on SSB TX and RX. For me I had much more fun and enjoyment out of the 7300 than the 590. Can't really say why but the 7300 must have a "fun factor" about it that the 590 just doesn't have... And I'm a Kenwood fan, own their flagship 990....(of course the 990 is on another level with its bells and whistles but the 7300 comes close on RX and TX basic performance...) As for the wise guy who doubts ICOM reliability, I have a near 30 year old ICOM in my shack, and it's SUPER reliable....so put that in your peace pipe and smoke it... Pictures of it on my QRZ page. Les, VK3TEX.

An excellent explanation. Thank you! 73, Dave WA7AXT

good objective comparison.... Agree with your analogy - Lab numbers are certainly valid and valuable, but best comparisons are best done with our eyes, ears and hands. We have have been making some objective comparisons as weii.... IC-7300 vs FT-991A vs TS-480SAT finally Ten-Tec Orion and others Overall performance of all the rigs we have been using offer good, some better performance, some easy, some easier to operate, some good features some better maybe even more. Overall - the IC-7300 is a great rig - better than others? That will be a subjective answer Certainly worth consideration, we own one and have or own reasons why we prefer operating it over other rigs..... personally I prefer the features, operation and performance of the FT-991A and find that in the toughest the conditions, our classic Ten-Tec Orion still holds its own and often out shines all we have run thus far.

Great and honest review, thanks Jarrad for sharing ! 73 de Dirk PA2C

Trying to compare a TS-590SG to a IC-7300 is like trying to compare a Cadillac to a Ford Focus. I put my 590 up against my friends 7300 and it did not even come close. Only advantage of the 7300 is the touch screen. The 590SG has a DRV port to connect to either SDRplay or the one I use called Bonito Radio Com 6. Best software on the market with many features and I use the full version for ham radio.

A couple of important points missed, the Kenwood remote software, as has been pointed out, is free and very closely emulates the set. It also works superbly across the net in remote locations, all that’s needed is a laptop, headset and tethered mobile phone data. Icom’s RSBA1 software is expensive but covers several of Icom’s sets and theefore has little in resemblance to the 7300. The Icom software also doesn’t pick up the settings in the 7300 so all settings have to be re-entered in the software. Using a $60 sdr dongle and SDR-Console on the 590SG makes the 7300 bandscope look like a toy. The 590SG also has dual serial ports, one USB and the other on a db9 socket so it’s possible to run two applications controlling the set at the same time, e.g. the remote software and FLdigi.

I have a ts590sg and added an rsp1a sdr receiver for a beautiful pan adapter display. Class above the 7300 which is prone to severe cover loading and band noise. Good comparison, thanks 73 de vu3mes. Also the kenwood have a seperate rx port for my loop.

excellent review. open and genuine. simply stating facts.

I’ve always been a big fan of Kenwood and have a TS-2000x ... but after Kenwood walked out of Australia and left us with zero support I would never consider another rig from them.

I really enjoy your videos, as they are objective and scientific in revealing the pros and cons. I would though lime to comment briefly on the fact that one thing said was that yaesu does not offer the sound card option without extra cost etc. perhaps when this video was made that may have been true since the FTDX 1200 which is closest in price point and performance to these two would require the extra money for the sound interface. Now though the FTDX 3000 which is selling for around $1800 with a $300 rebate making it only slightly more expensive than the TS590SG , of course sfter the txco and sound options are pirchased for it, and the sound option for the 3000. So for $100 difference in price you will have better DNR and Better IF output, after setting menu set and forget a radio just as easy to use in the 3000. Which as I have used the TS590SG and the 3000 I have found after setting filters and so on in the sub menu properly for the task at hand the FTDX3000 out performed the 590 out right. Plus you have a panscope though not a spectrum analyzer quality as the Icom, it isnt meant to be. It does whatbit is meant to do, show band activity and with the firmware updates it shows weak signals well on the water fall. It works as it was meant, besides if you absolutley want the full fledged band scope you can hook a cheap dongle up to the IF output a d set it to 9mhz and there you go. Actually you do not really have that option on the TS59sg as I discovered, it will not track with you radios vfo it only allows for a second reciever , where the 3000 allows for both IF out to panscope and control the radio to the signals of interest plus a RX out to setup a second reciever and this all at the same time. This cannot be done by either the Icom 7300 or the TS590SG and perhaps the IC7610 cannot either. Just my esperience and thoughts. Thanks again for all you do for Ham radio my friend I appreciate your videos. 73 Shane

Which has the better reciever to pull out weak dx signals?

The good thing about the Kenwood is that it has buttons and nobs rather than a touchscreen. This is helpful for someone like me who is blind. It also has a speech function.

I have both and love both of them the last is in the 7300

How on earth could I have had so much fun with an old Ten Tec OMNI? No memories, no "waterfall"(!), only 1 VFO, NOT EVEN A CODE READER! None of this frippery from these radios whose makers are engaged in a gadget contest. Worked the world with 90 watts--still in use.

This is an excellent video comparison and very honest, balanced for.these two. I hope you do more! De WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Band scopes are great but they are two small as is the touch screen on the 7300. I know its a trade off but once you have seen a band scope on a 24" monitor it makes sence. There should have been a monitor connector on the 7300. The kenwwod with an SDR would allow me to sit back rather than have to lean in which is what I found when using the 7300.

I like how you put them next to one another.

Nice one Jerrard well put, Best regards Carl ,G0lka.

Please I need help ... I want to buy a new radio and I'm in doubt which one to buy ?? an ICOM IC 7300 or Kenwood TS 590 SG ?? as the price of these two radios are good, would it be interesting to buy only two radios ??? have these two radios on the table ?? 73

Really wish I had gone with the 590, to much trouble with my 7300. Have come back to this vid from years ago for a second look. Miss your vids, wish you well

Wonderful presentation. I'm a new ham so I don't have any "Well back in my day..." statements to make. I just like to call friends and make new ones on CW. Other modes don't interest me. I keep trying to like FT8 but, respectfully, I'd rather watch paint dry. Elders in my local club said the 7300 is "a game changer" so I suppose it is. I've been enjoying mine for a year now.

Danke für das tolle Video.73,de Jozef OE1CJG,(S56CJG).😊😊😊

Nice house!

Good Afternoon from Austria! Best 73 ,de OE5POP

You missed the fact that both the 590S +SG have two ham bands missing from the IC-7300: 630 and 2100m 1mW RX/TX outputs from the DRV connector. For the non-solderer the linear connection for the 590 can be done using the very widely offered Key-line ALC cable for under $20. Just look on Ebay. For most hams, just use the DIN plug provided and and cut one end off two cheap audio RCA cables. The weight difference is due to Kenwood's use of a massive cast aluminum chassis and heavy steel cabinet, producing a much more rugged radio, weighing 16 lbs. That's enough weight to prevent moving it by pushing buttons or moderate pulling on cables, which is not the case with the IC-7300. Additionally, if you put the detailed QST tech. reviews of the 2 radios side by side, you will see that there are quite a few RX performance categories in which the 590 does distinctly better. As you say, whether those differences will be useful to you will depend on your operating preferences. Tnx for the review! I agree with you: both radios are a bargain!

This video convinced me to get the Kenwood.

While I understand you don't plan to do a side by side performance test, I would be interested on seeing how fast or simple it is to move from 80m AM voice reception to say 20m upper sideband. I'm used to a band switch, mode switch operation type of environment, and going into menus etc., would take me completely out of my element, without a lot of retraining. I ultimately would like to upgrade my "Heathkit" shack.

I have them both!

Thanks again for a nice comparison guide. I own both, but only used them as receivers. The IC-7300, unfortunately, had birdies and noise. Despite the latest firmware, it also needed a few factory resets. When I get on HF, I suspect the TS-590SG will be my FT8 rig. It was easier to configure. The IC-7300 sat unused at another ham's shack, too. He tried it while RV camping, however, and decided to keep it.

Configuration options are ok nested in a menu while operational control should always be "right > there"

Thanks Jarrad, do I recall your callsign during the contest last night? VK1FCLU...cheers for your vids.

Both are nice radios, but after Icom's total disregard for customer service, I would go with Kenwood. Icom left a very bitter taste after it pushed a firmware update for the Icom IC-PCR1000 and left everyone with bricked radios a few years back. Their response was total denial.

The 590 front end or features are not necessarily better, but more accessible. If you can prove me wrong by a considerable margin. I.e the notch, dsb, noise blanker and front end selectivity. I will sell the 7300 and buy the Kenwood. Is the newer SDR technology worth it??

got bought of them. 23lbs vs 13lbs. the 590sg receive audio and noise reduction is superb. BUT 590sg easily get hot even low power digital operation. 7300 in another part audio is far from the kenwood. BUT the handy waterfall and a No computer needed as panadapter for 7300 is way great advantage, i dont have to turn ON my PC.one thing i like with 7300 is it operates cool on digital modes, thats a wow for me. nahhh i like them both..

nice video 73 Pe3Mhz

For the Kenwood, for the bandscope, you can add a low cost SDR like the RSP2 from SDRplay to get super HD graphics if you already have a PC and computer display in the shack - as per your latest video :-) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Zw13AuzPU04.html

I mostly work CW contests, anyone compared those radio under those conditions?

Thank you, I agree with you, the Kenwood Radio is far superior to the Icom. Your review was good.

Thanks for the video...73'.....KD9JHK

I'm so used to having a bandscope that without it I feel like I'm driving blind. That one feature alone makes my choice easy. I liked my 7300 enough to go ahead and get the 7610. Good move! It's got all the things that are missing on the 7300. The Kenwood is old-school superhetrodyne type technology that is rapidly becoming obsolete.

Made my mind up.getting a yaesu

I have operated both rigs (owned neither) and the TS-590SG would get my money. Love a radio that you can operate with two hands, button porn :) I could listed to the Kenwood all day. Thanks sharing your thoughts Jarrad.

I play with both and the IC 7300 you don’t need the manual is very easy but to boring for me I prefer the KENWOOD TS 590 S

My biggest question is what works better for remote operation? I know the Kenmore has free software and the Icom I would have to spend 119 dollars but what works better with no crashes and problems.

Good info thankyou. Ron. Z. Pgh. Pa.

Great review - thank you. Michael VA6XMB

the kenny is monochromatic, the icom is obviously sorta hd tv,if kenwood went multi color on their display they wood have the advantage asthetically,i like the simpleness of the kenny. i own a ftdx1200 not hottest rx but the dsp and notch/wide/contour controls really nice also with the fft1 it decodes cw and Encode and decode RTTY and PSK31, right on the display you should review the yeasus...

Yaesu 991A has a built in sound card ,mine I don't need an external sound card

FT450D had voice recording. tho only few secs. could have the CQ CQ message. so 7300 wasnt 1st with it.

Hi I found the icom 7300 was the better radio I had the 590 it was a dud not like the 570.. I enjoy useing the 7300

Great video! de W2CSI

Kenwood for me thanks.

I watch this video with 1.5 speed.

the vgs-1 is a lot less us than you're saying, I forget what I paid for mine in the spring but I think it was around $60 or so. I have the 590S, not the G model and like it, no real reason to go to the G model for me. I'm on daily but have so many radios I'm always changing things around.

I also care about the transmit bandwith..

I own both. Next time compare apples to apples. I've only owned Kenwood radios going back to 1983 when I got licensed and purchased the ICOM 7300 in November. The price difference is about $350 so yes there are going to be some differences like one antenna port on the ICOM. To say there's no menus with the 590 is incorrect, when you go to set up, say, digital modes, don't you hit "Menu" and go through the options? That's what I had to do, there's about 100 different settings in the Kenwood menu. The Kenwood definitely wins with weak CW signals over the ICOM 7300, however it is no faster, for example to change the power level on the Kenwood 590 than it is to change it on the Icom. I appreciate the review but it was really not a comparison of similar priced radios.

To late IC-7300 is in the mail.

Sorry for typoes in my previous post, I am using my smart phone and big fingers

I love the look and feel of the TS590SG, but as I have the IC9700, I'll probably go for the IC7300 for HF. The 590 needs an update.

kenwood 7.4 kg, icom 4.2 kg (for those keeping count at home)

the ic 7100 has a voice keyer

That slike old apples and new oranges comparing

The 7300 is lighter cuz it's an SDR. New vs. old

ill take the cheapest one and use a decent antenna!

What’s the future of Kenwood making ham radios?

I committed suicide at the end of the video 🙂

What have you been talking all about??? You switch both radios on and compare the receivers...

590 hands down better for cw

ICOM IC-7300 has smaler final, . 2 X 70W Kenwood TS 590SG has 2 X 100W final. ICOM IC-7300 has smaller cooler on final and smaller louder fan Kenwood TS 590SG has big cooling system and big fan than run without noise. Remote software for Kenwood is free. ICOM it cost . You would not run IC-7300 in contest. It is to small and will not run transmitter 24/7 like Kenwood who only use 50% of its power to make 100W. And and and ....................... :) Sherwood Engineering do only test 50% of the radio, the Receiver not the Transmitter! TF1A

Jarrad where is all the content dude? It's like you've fallen off the face of the Earth. Are you OK?

The Kenwood is more suited to CW ops