To me, Tecsun makes several really great radios. What you’re paying for here is the sound quality. If that’s important to you, you should get this one. This model seems like a great value for what you’re getting. Thanks for doing these reviews.
After using this radio (I have the 501 version), I can honestly say that this receiver is a pleasure to use! The audio is excellent. This is the best of all my receivers , when it comes to audio, selectivity and sensitivity , including my older Grundig Sattelite receivers, hands down! The only problem I see , and it's nothing I really should be complaining about (!) is the fact that the rear bail seems a bit flimsy. When I am pushing on the buttons on the front of this radio, with the radio propped up on the small rear bail, it seems as though that rear bail has a lot of "play" to it. It might break after a short period of time? By the way, I find the reception of the shortwave bands to be superb JUST with the internal whip antenna fully extended! That is no small advantage IF, like me, you live in a location with no actual access to an outdoor antenna. On a scale of 1 to 10? I give this receiver a 9.5!
I love your reviews.... You're so honest letting your listeners know, if you're looking for the radio that ends your search for the "Holy Grail" of Radios, this probably isn't it...
I don't think there is an ultimate portable on the market. It would be nice if they sent a couple SWLs a pre-production model for them to critique before offering a radio to market.
Very good review. It’s surely maybe the of the best what you can get today. This is exactly my problem with today’s portables. I’ve got a now ancient Sony ICF-2001D/2010 from 1983. That Sony blows away this and any other Tecsun portable radio. As for sound quality, that aspect is about the only feature that blows away the Sony. It really does. But this is the only thing that is better than on the Sony. And I haven’t even brought up the old Grundig Satellite series. In short, we simply have to do with what we can buy today. For this reason we must praise Tecsun!
Thanks for a great review. I am right at the stage that you mentioned with my XHDATA. Should I change it. Well there is one question I would like to ask and this really does annoy me about the XHDATA. That is the chuffing noise between frequencies when tuning. So does the H-501X do that or is it quiet. That may seem to be nit picking but it is annoying all the same. Also I have a IK Multimedia iLoud speaker to play mp3's so I could sell that as it won't be needed. Another plus is that I do like the more detailed frequency readout on SW SSB. So any advice would greatly accepted thank you.
I have an older Bluetooth, rechargeable 🔋 battery Bose stereo speaker 🔊 for some time, and it does sound good 👍 with my input devices. That being said, the Tecsun H-501, H-501x, does sound very good 👍 and I am glad to have it.
Hello. I like your radios' presentations, I have watched a lot of them and I have a suggestion, the verbal part of presentation can be interrupted by a few very short demonstration of the device's operation to finally show, at the end of the review, how a given radio works in relation to the subject. That is, as you usually do in your reviews. Thanks.
Great video man! I love all your videos. I have this radio. What would better than this radio? I wouldn’t mind buying another radio receiver if it’s more superior in functionality, quality etc….What would be better in your opinion? Thanks brother…..
Gilles, with that said, excluding price and adding in these options like audio and feel, is it correct to say this is the best currently available portable radio on the market. Again excluding price, is there anything better. Thanks
It's quite clear that the H-501 and 990x are the way to go for those who have a bit more finer requirements such as the ability to re-calibrate in SSB and multiple bandwidths in SSB. All Sangean had to do with the 909x2 is put one or both (preferably both) of those features in that radio and it would be competitive. The way things are, the quality H-501 and 990x IMHO just leap those receivers over the Sangean from the start..
I just ordered the H501X... How will it compare to my other SW radio Radio Shack DX-398...? I think I am ready for another radio... My DX-398 had some mods done an external antenna and the tuning mute was removed... It has served me well...
Thank you Giles for information. Well said, I've got both the 680 (used a lot for listening to aviation band) and the 880. This new one is beautiful but I can't justify spending that much when I have those other two which work perfectly. Maybe the 880 will stop working sometimes as it's used every day and has travelled so much. But then the 680 is only a year old so it will be a good replacement.
Hi does the external antenna port work on fm on the techson p hi does the external antenna port disconnect the telescopion fm on thetechtechson pl 990x thank you very much
I have the eaton 750, how does this compare to that? I was thinking about getting this one for more portable uses? The 750 is not a small one, would like to see if this a radio i can take to work type?
The broadcast AM bandwidth is exceptional. I think you are in Montreal??? If so 940 AM must sound great? They play a nice mix of music both English & French, in the winter months after dark they come into the Maritimes quite well.
I keep coming back to this video everytime I think about upgrading from the PL880. I'm satisfied with the 880 sound quality and not interested in extended range am/fm as I'm within 50 miles of 2 metro centers with a variety of radio formats. I'll wait for something better, would like an upgraded "base" receiver, but I see nothing on the market outside of a HF transceiver with SW range, so..... I'll wait.
Had the tecsun s2000 for one day. The rf from the power cord makes un unbearable, my pl368 was more clear so I returned the s2000. I think I'll get the H501x instead
You can plug in high quality amplified speakers into any radio, and get far richer, louder and powerful sound quality, if that is the priority for you. For DXers like me, sensitivity, selectivity and able to hear the weak signals better in the QRM and QRN is far more important. Does this radio offer that ability in much improved level for the price? That seems the point.
Back in my day, people used to say that about those Zenith Trans-Oceanic Radios. Not to take anything away from them and they’re great performers. This is just like that. Also wish it did have the SD recorder. Even Retekess supplies a cheap SD recorder for shortwave; that would be fun.
Tecsun does offer an inexpensive recorder (ICR-100) that can be connected to their radios for recording directly to an SD card. In fact, it is supplied with the kit versions of their PL-880 and PL990X radios.
Great review. Thanks for your hard work to make this channel great! To make this the ultimate it needs RDS, HD, and decent sync. Sangean design would be great but not at the expense of what Tecsun brings to the table. Getting the Eton Elite Exec for now. Looking at the Eton Elite Satellite when it releases but not holding my breath for when that may be. Likely would have gotten the E1 years ago but XM instead of HD, really? Ugh. Yes I love FM dx too. I may end up getting the H-501 when the hard case becomes available at the end of June.
Recording to an SD card would be handy because when I am near a computer, I can't get any stations. The recording device has to travel with the radio. They don't even need a codec for it with enough capacity on the card, and high fidelity. Perhaps the SD card would cause interference? Something else they could add is morse code decoding to text of those beacons.
I understand this topic is about SW radio. A lot of listeners would resort to fm for music. I want an H501x Radio. It just looks like the best engineered product. I like the idea of owning the best. Sorry that sounds somehow selfish. I understand the states have a different approach. My problem in the uk is that the UK Government intends to turn off fm radio in 2034. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this... whats happening in the states.. re turning off fm.. I do understand the topic is shortwave. But no one tunes into shortwave for good audio quality.
I purchased this radio off ebay, it is not the x but the seller said I didnt need the X in USA. It gets the worst reception of my 3 shortwave radios, and very poor FM. I was wondering if it could possibly be counterfeit or does the X make a difference. Thanks
Hej Gill agree that it would be nice if the Tecsun H-501X had a more modern display and also, with RDS would be a nice feature to have and recording. But maybe in the next models from Tecsun we have Rds and a upgraded display. Anyway, I think the Tecsun H-501X is a nice big radio and I'm excited friday is the day when my Tecsun H-501X will arrive. I think the days go by slowly you know Gill when you waiting for candy take care and have a lovely week.
Can you try a FM scan using your discone maybe compared to the telescopic? I'm not even a FM DXer, but I'm curious! SWL recording is a two-edged sword because the same feature can be used to record a interesting or historic news broadcast or a some very cool utility or numbers station can also used to record someone's stupid pop song. ...jerks. :(
I agree that this receiver is exceptionally good. But the technology is too complicated. I purchased this radio new on eBay and I am returning it. I have set this radio beside and old Sangean 818 cs and compared the receiving capabilities of both. There is not that much difference. I have found myself referencing the instruction manual time after time just to program frequencies. I always enjoy your shortwave radio reviews. Thank you for sharing.
Eton Elite XM (the original version) is the one I am told is the top of the line shortwave. Good luck finding one however, list price on ebay is typically $900 or so. Dont be fooled, the new release of the Eton Elite is not good at all (sold at $600)
i AHVE ONE, AND IT IS SUPERB FOR MY SITUATION - LOCAL INTEFERENCE THAT BLOTS OUT RECEPTION ON PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER RADIO I OWN OR HAVE TRIED. tHE tECSUN PULLS IN STATIONS WITH NO PROBLEM WHEN MY EXPENSIVE RADIOS CANNOT GET ALL THE bbc STATIONS, WITH THE LOCAL TRANSMITTER IN LINE OF SIGHT. iF YOU HAVE INTEFERENCE ISSUES LOCALLY, TRY THIS RADIO - IT SEEMS TO RECEIVE WHERE MOST OTHERS STRUGGLE. YES, NOT CHEAP - but YOU DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Dratted CapsLock... need to re-disable it - Windows thinks it knows better than me, keeps resetting my key disabling!
Really like the H-501X, but I agree, its not nearly perfect. The sound is nowhere near as good as the S-2000, and honestly, the Tecsun 8800, which is not stereo but still the best mono sound for me. Sensitivity? That's what I really value, and this one is really good, but about the same as the major Tecsun portable radios. Do not own the S-2000. The H-501X is superior to my disappointing 990X. That one was a wasted purchase IMHO.
