Receive test IC-7610 vs TS-890. Can I Change My Mind? 

Your videos are about the only ones that hold my interest enough so that I stick around long enough to hear what you have to say all the way to the end. They are informative, clear, concise, well edited and more thorough than most. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Thanks for a clear, unbiased and balanced review. You made a lot of salient points.

Both are great rigs for sure. Dual receive was never an issue for me so the Kenwood TS-890 was my choice. I have owned it for a bit over 6 months and I am extremely happy with it. I just became a subscriber, keep up the great videos.

Thank you for explaining the difference.

Great video. The TS-890 has the ability to split the antenna connection to pass the antenna to a second radio, so you can have a 'second' receiver easily. I use my TS-950SDX as a second receiver using the RX antenna input. Changing the reference level and the speed improves the water fall. Use the ethernet connection rather than USB for the software connection.

One of the first reviews that comes from the heart and is honest! Also, Kenwood is Kenwood is Kenwood ;) Really looking forward to the day they release an SDR radio, then maybe I can imagine replacing my Anan (Apache Lab) radio. Very well done Jack and keep up the good work! 73´s from Sweden

Great Video! Well done and very interesting. I have had my TS-890S for almost two years and still like it very much. Thanks 👍 and 73, Denny WB9MSM

Another very informative video 👍. Hope you and the family are doing well. 73s

Holy moly wacamoly that was part of a QSO I had with W6TA-Stuart . Yep someone is always listening LOL . By the way Nk7J-Jack Great videos . Thanks from Delaware 73s N3DXD

tnxs for you taking the time to do this, I think the 890 better 73 KQ4CD

Great review!! Both amazing radios. At my noisy QTH they are basically identical on RX with 890 slightly better due to speaker. Sound goes to 890 all day by a large margin. The built in speaker is amazing. Also the EQ settings are vastly superior on the 890. Can easily be changed quickly on 890 as you noted. Has a bunch of standard modes and three user preference settings. 7610 is very weak with the two band EQ and takes way too many clicks to get too. Icom software is/was $150 I believe so easy win for 890. Notch on 890 is superior and easy to use. 7610 works, but not as easy to tune notch. I feel blind moving the settings until noise goes away. Guess I could use osiliscope screen, but that adds even more clicks. I use my 7610 for DX or when I need a second receiver to band scan. I miss this when on the 890. Otherwise I like using the 890 more. SWL and AM on 890 sounds amazing while 7610 has a crackle sound. I would personally pay $1000 more for the 890 with a 2nd receiver. Will not pay double like on the 990. Screen goes to 7610 for speed and customization, but the 890 seems like it has more pixels and more vibrant. Right now they both have their place in my shack. Bought 890 for CW and FT8/4, 7610 for DX, and SSB for both. One thing I absolutely love is the 890 multi knob that clicks for quick frequency changing at user defined (1k). Then use big VFO knob for the .25 and .5k stations. I hate those stations unless there is a contest. I am more accurate on the 7610 on the main VFO knob. Takes me a couple times to get 890 spot on frequency with VFO. I don't use the mouse on either so no winner there for me. I built a custom shelf so I can lean my elbow on a thick keyboard gel pad and scroll either VFO without any effort or pain holding up shoulder. Either radio is a great choice. I would buy both again if needed. Would like to play with the Yeasu 101D, but feel like it's going to have reliability issues even with no past history. Just my gut feeling. The VC tune belt will eventually wear out and by then will not be available with my luck. They have also had some bugs which is common so waiting for a while longer if at all before purchasing. Keep bringing out videos. I truly enjoy them and may have buy another keypad from you so I have one for the 890. I use mine on the 7610 when I get tired in a pileup barefoot or during a contest. Saves my voice...

They're both badass transceivers!

Just to let you know I found this video to be one of the best radio videos I've ever seen. I don't think I'll even try to explain it, but you have a nice style. Your bias was clear I thought but After weeks or months with two radios I don't know how you could not be biased. You just seemed.......real I suppose. Honest. Yeah honest. That's it. Keep up the good work. I will subscribe.

Just bought a Kenwood TS-890S this week. It is fantastic. Perfect radio for me. Superb audio, and easiest ergonomics/menu system I've ever experienced on a modern transceiver (I come from boatanchors, Hallicrafters, Collins, etc so I have a preference for that analog feel. I also have an ANAN 7000 DLE MK II. Excellent performing radio, but no knobs and having to use a mouse for every setting makes it practically unuseable except for ragchewing on 1 frequency.) I suspect based on reviews I've read this week, for every ICOM or Yaesu radio sold in the last 2 years, there were 4 TS-890's sold, with very satisfied customers. All are very good radios though.

Impeccable always good videos. The idea you want to convey is well explained. While I think you are not a CW operator, I would be very interested in a low signal test in cw. Thanks for the good samples. Ed.

Very good video - interesting comparison - good voice quality

Good video - well done. What do you think of the build quality difference?

I would say you have made a nice analogy to Apple v. Android or PC's. They both look like great radios, each having their positives and negatives. From your videos, even though I've pretty much been an Icom guy for the past couple of decades, I've started to consider an 890 for my next radio.

I will choose the TS-890, because the "Brand" and the outlooking and more like traditional radio. hahahaha

Third time I have watched this video - it is exceptional. Your demonstrations are extremely helpful. Your analysis is honest and answers a lot of questions. Do you find either rig to have any difference in the 'build quality' - such as VFO knob, other knobs, etc.,.? Does the substantial difference in weight (18 pounds vs 33 pounds) cause any difficulty? Thanks again

I have a kenwood 990 and an icom 7700 they both are great. Pretty much the same except for a second reciever. Everything is relative to conditions which change from moment to moment.

By the way... forgot to say after watching this again, great EQ settings on your SSB. This is always a subjective thing, but you always want to highlight the midrange. Great work showing that. On my end here, I’m stuck between buying the 890S or the 6400M. A lot of prayer going on and a lot more to come. Take care my RU-vid buddy, Larry de K7HN

Thanks for a fine review. I had a 7610 till it took a surge and there were no replacement main board. I replaced it with the 890 and love it. Given the choice, I find the 890, fits my style. Agree Would like my mouse from the 7610

If we want better audio, connect the audio output -> external graphic equalizer-> audio amp -> good bookshelf speakers. My ham friends who are operating ESSB stations have many external audio processors to extend RX/TX audio quality, even with older rig. Personally, I only use good quality IEMs and do not bother much about audio quality. :) If I want better audio, I stream the rig's (IC-7300) audio to PC/laptop via USB., and send the audio to high quality external USB DAC. . But for standalone audio quality, Kenwood is better. My friend's Kenwood TS-950SDX is excellent.. Anyway, very good comparison video. Thank you and keep safe. :)

The Kenwood is super easy out of the box. Yes, it has some deep settings, but any rig has a learning curve. The audio on the Kenwood sounds amazing compared to the Icom. I chose the 890s and love it. Everyday I learn a little more. It's a fabulous radio! de W1AST

I love Kenwood. Have had an 850-S for years. Audio and other things that Kenwood's bring to the table is amazing. Only problem I can clearly see is if you have a problem and they need fixed or repaired. You will get better and quicker results with the Icom. Kenwood really needs to ramp up their repair facilities. I know of an 890-S thats still waiting for a part almost a year later.

Thank you for this comparison. Both radios are on my radar for that “premium” rig purchase. Honestly, prior to watching the video I was leaning toward Kenwood as I enjoy my 590SG and tend to use it more than my 7300. Even for the entry level radios, the 590 shines for a radio without a scope. If I ever get the 890, I could keep my 590 and use it for the second receiver. 👍 Sadly, on an unrelated note, Robert, WA0VLC, beginning at 7:14, became a SK in March of last year. Robert lived about an hour from me here in Iowa.

Kenwood radio has the NXDN digital mode NR signature.. thanks for share.

For the notch, you can enable the audio scope on the Icom and clearly see where it is.

Nice video. I'm curious to compare the two rigs on weak cw signals

Please let these people know the 890 has 4 DISPLAY SPEEDS, Surely one of them would satisfy!

Performance-wise they are super-close. The kill-shot for me on the Kenwood is the scope being so much slower refresh rate and less sensitive. Without "Sight", these would be just boring old transceivers. It is the main advantage in new radios. Also, progressive tuning rate on the Icom is a distinct advantage with your #1 interface on the radio- the tuning dial. Oh, yeah, the Icom costs less too.

Radios are subjective to who uses them for their enjoyment. As an example for me noise and QRM are the problem I deal with the most. Digging out a nice signal from the noise to listen or talk with makes HF fun. Having an audio processor to equalize signals is wonderful for listening. I use it on my radio and it really helps. One think that you might want to know about the 7610 and 7300 if you a close other ham they saturate. We noticed this during field day with 4 transmitted and GOTA. If you don’t have this problem they are good radios. Also you might what to run FLRIG to see if you can control the kenwood. It means look at the computer but could control the frequency and band.

Thx for this Video...i buy a ts890...1 week....greatings from Austria...OE6PSF

Great video de W2CSI

One thing that was apparent right off the bat, the Kenwood seemed to have better audio quality when you showed the weak signal results at the beginning of your video. I thought that was great, until I realized that you had adjusted the passband tuning on the Kenwood to attenuate the high frequency a little while leaving the Icom wide open at 1.8 KHZ. I know that my IC-7600 can sound much nicer by adjusting the passband control.

I would like to see a cooperative agreement between Ten Tec for receive and Kenwood for transmit, just my opinion.

I have the 590 and 7300. The 590 gets used far more than the 7300 (CW). My only Kenwood complaint is how they do the RF gain. One loses the use of the receive signal level when backing down the RF gain control. Ten-Tec and now the 7300 work nicely on that one item. Anxiously waiting a rig to replace the TS-480.

How do you think this new age of radios are going to be as the sunspot cycle improves, everything is gearing up to getting the most sensitive radios currently to work these low signal stations, I’m wondering how they will cope with lots of huge signals and band activity, as things get better more people will also use their radios too, 73 Richard

1st,. Great vid, both nice rigs. Which one are you going to keep is the question 😉

The Icom software gives you the ability to remote control the radio from off site. I would recommend Ham Radio Deluxe. Free software is great, but if it is a pain to use really how free is it? Thanks for posting. Info greatly appreciated.

When you were switching back and forth the receive clarity (signal to noise) sounded much better on the Kenwood.

Thanks.

Just a suggestion but try a wider bandwidth when using NR. I tend to set my B/W as high as possible (for example @ 3.6khz wide) and then crank up the NR. Either way, you need a clean signal but the NR won't sound as muddy with the wider bandwidth.

I chase pota on the weekends with the 7300, I use the manual notch alot and twin pbt with weak signals ...this is a downfall with these icom radios, they need a dedicated adjustment knob for manual notch and having a small notch display popup showing the adjustments...I can also see an advantage to having an equalizer in shaping the sound ....on rare occasion I will use the RIT to throw the rx signal off a tad if Im having a hard time understanding someone.

The 7610 you can add an external EQ using the receiver in out jacks?

Wish you had the NB1 and NB2 on the Kenwood compared to the 7610. I have the TS-990S (7 years) which has all the features found on the 890 including the NB Noise Blankers for impulse noise. However the 990S NB1 doesn't do anything. NB2 Type-A works if some fuss. NB2 Type-B I can't get to perform at all. BTW - I have an IC-7851 sitting next to the 990S. The Kenwood is so easy to navigate - logical organization. The ICOM menus are not well organized.

The use of noise reduction would make listening much more enjoyable for the demonstrated QSO with WA0VLC and the OH9ELA station at 8 to 9 minutes Into the show.

I’m just curious have you tested the yaesu 101 d or mp version

Thanks for the review. The TS-890S looks like a very nice transceiver. Does it give me anything I don't already have with my TS-590SG and a quality SDR/panadapter setup?

Howdy, great demo. I would like to get some basic lessons on becoming a ham operator. You would be a good instructor. 👍🙏

if you transmit on fm with the waterfall span at 100khz, do you see a harmonic down 75khz?

FYI, NR2 on the Kenwood is more suitable for CW signals, so comparing NR2 to the IC-7610 isn't quite an apples-to-apples comparison -- you're better off using NR1 and adjusting the NR1 level up or down accordingly. Great video!

The Kenwood sounds like butta'

I went 890, though mostly out of Kenwood inertia. Bandscope on the software is better if you use ethernet rather than USB.

even thou im a yaesu man with a icom i like the kenwood there and luv the guitars 73 liverpool england

A superset front stage is always going to give you better blocking dynamic range than a wide open direct sampling. Down conversion is better. Why Icom chooses not to do that escapes me. Yaesu, Kenwood, and Elecraft all do a down conversion first stage. Makes a huge difference. Look at Sherwood. Sensitivity is easy. Selectivity is hard.

I still choose the 2 independant vfo's any day of the week.

Would be great to compare the TX audio from each radio and get your opinion. Recently I monitored two stations with similar signal reports, one was the latest Yaesu and the other was the TS-890s. Both these radios were adjusted for tx bandwidth of 2.8. The 890s out performed the Yaesu as fare as clarity and audio quality. For monitoring I used a receiver with flat rx adjustment and 3.0 filter settings.

Could you do the comparison test in the contest while you are receiving a strong signal within the band. I am worrying about "OVF" in SDR in IC-7610. As far as I imagine, TS-890S would be better in the crowded band with a VERY strong station nearby. Please make the comparison test, please.

This is a tough one thier both great radios it depends on filtering RECEIVER and what the radios OFFERS the main thing is sensitivly and weak signal filter out noise. 📻⚛

FYI!!!! NOISE REDUCTION "2" is only for CW operation!!! REad the manual!

Hi, Please help me ... I will buy a new radio and I am in doubt which one to choose ??? Kenwood ts 890 or Icom 7610 ??? yaesu ftdx 101mp can you help me with the opinion on which one is best ??? thanks 73

I’m really torn between the two still. I may just buy both, seriously I just retired and getting back on the air. Been off since 2012, first licensed in 1977, always loved Kenwood. I would probably put a SDRplay on the Kenwood if I was going that way.

I have the same problem on my TS-590 and the TS-2000. The NR on both suck. But as far as the receive between the 7610 and the TS-890 I think the Kenwood wins that hands down. Just to bad I didn't see this video 2 years ago.. lol

But is worth the $1000 difference in price for the Kenwood? I really don't think so.

890, hands down.

Thanks for the video. Good job. Now find a Yaesu FTDX-101 to compare. As far as that goes, how about a Flex 6400M or 6600M. Then there's the Anan 7000DLE Mark II. Then the K4 someday. LOL 73, WA3RSL

R Lanning is Bob - W6OPO

The Kenwood has very good TX audio and can be configured for wider bandwidth, the Icom is brickwalled at 2.9KZ. Also the 890 built-in speaker is not as good as the 7610, BUT with an external speaker just sounds less fatiguing, smoother, than the Icom. JMO

For the DSP, I think the Kenwood could be better if you run an EQ setting to optimize it. Honestly, I think the Icom had a better sounding DSP but again, with some EQing, you could back it down on the Kenwood and sound as good. I love a good DSP. There is almost always noise. You are only looking at signal to noise. If you think the radio is quiet at S0, a signal at S1 may sound rough. You may wish to engage a preamp, which is going to increase the noise as well. Dialing in the DSP, EQ, and RF gain can make listening for a long time much less tiring.

The 890 is a winner in my book. Also the build quality is also superior.

Thanks for the great video. From what I see, the 7610 wins in two areas. 1. Price 2. Sub Receiver But, for me performance is the key feature. Hands down the TS 890S wins ! Barry, KU3X

Since I can thank my musician father for my musical ear, Kenwood is in a completely different class than Icom. Icom produces a rather classic signal as we know it from the time when TCVRs were not SDR, but had a maximum of DSP. The Kenwood already sounds like a TCVR from the future, and I'm not even talking about the potential settings it allows. Here the choice is quite clear, Kenwood is the clear winner, at least in reception capabilities.

also the scope of RSBA is so f* much better.

Did you have QSB?

well, to my hearing the 7610 was a bit more intelligible on the very weak signal but else it sounds a bit harsh compared to the ts890. nr1 in the kenwood causes a bit that watery sound in ssb. in 20m i set the nr, nb and rx treble to max in the icom, there come then voices out from under the noise, i like much about the icom nr & nb, can't do that with kenwood. i think i would keep it with icom. by the way, from what i heard on air in ssb, the icom ic-7300 sounds better in ssb than the ts890 and the 7610.

The only thing that stops me with ts890 is the lack of double rx. And what stops me at Icom is the flaws in the display. Uruguay is too far away to buy equipment that may fail. That is why I am very grateful for these informative videos are very helpful for those of us who are far from civilization. HI ... I await icom response to the new platforms of yaesu and kenwood. Tnx 73.

Great review! I had IC-7610 and switched to TS-990S. I'm getting TS-890S, probably tomorrow. Been sitting in customs clearance a couple of days. I do find that I get quicker tired listening to Icom radios generally. Kenwood I can listen to over a longer time, and it's just pure enjoyment. It's hard to put the finger on why, but there definitely is a difference. My shoulders dropped when going from 760 to 990.

In the case of the Icom you would think that they would give it to you after spending over $3K for the radio.

I'm still with the IC-7610. Overall better on CW, contests, remote ops. I love that rig. If I need some help I move to my 35 years old IC-781...

7610 all day. NR on the Kenwood isn’t as good as the Icom….and the visuals on the Icom are so much better. Latency on the Kenwood display really makes the radio look bad. The fact that the 7610 has two receivers is icing on the cake. Is there anyone with either of these radios that’s not running separate audio solution? Internal speaker quality isn’t an issue for me. Nice video.

The Kenwood sounds like it has a better speaker. (7610 user myself)

Dual Receiver and 2x antennas with tracking FTW.... Those dual receivers aren't there just for monitoring. Granted the Kenwood and Yaesu radios are nice radios...But, The difference from location to location, Station/antenna differences from one Amateur to the other are tiny. There is NO magic cure for poor antennas and poor conditions.

I am looking hard at the 7610 or 890. Can you use an external monitor with the 890. The 7610 display after 2 plus years still has issues.

Icom!!!

Real SDR with 2 independent receivers vs conventional 890? There is only one winner.

to compare you should record left/right on the different rigs. Regarding RSBA1 -- it's for several TRX and I kind of think that the 890 s/w is for the 890 only. regarding RX EQ -- I do that with the filtering itself. The treble/base stuff is AF only, kind of useless to me. RSBA1 costs here 65 euros

480p in 2020 ?

You sound like the Harbor Freight Bear.

And it's all going to change when Icom provides the next firmware update.

NR2 is for CW only. It is not intended to be used for SSB RTFM.

The NR of TS-890 is hard to hear. NR1 is good, but NR2 is hard to hear Very unnatural sound Sound like being in a cave IC-7610 is easy to hear from NR1 to NR15 Natural sound I choose IC-7610

P.s. The Noise Reduction on the Kenwood SUCKS..PERIOD...Noise reduction #1 on level one is worthless-- very little to NO change at all-- Noise reduction #1 level 2 you can here it working but already sounds under water--- On the ICOM 7300, you can effectvely use Noise reduction up to level 4....

is 890 an SDR radio?

Kenwood has a great receiver until you enable noise reduction. Their noise reduction is weak. I’m a fan of the TS-990S. But I when I walked into HRO to buy one, I ended up trying every radio is the store. I ended up testing radios for 8 months. In the end, Yaesu won me over. Their DSP, and in particular, their digital noise reduction, was best in class. Yaesu had the better selectivity as well. There are still things I like about Kenwood and ICOM, but I chase QRP SOTA stations and the Yaesu does the best job of separating signal from noise. 73, de N4HNH

The DNR on a Yaesu FTdx101MP is much better than the DNR on my 890S.

Thanks for that video, if you would use a equal loudspeaker, on each transceiver, it would be perfect :-) BTW: the Kenwood TS-590S(SG) have auto notch - also BC and manual notch - and it works perfect to me. Best Regards Mark DL9RDM

I'm all for receiving weak signals, but you'll need an few hundred watts to complete a qso... for example, I'm hearing Hong Kong, New Zealand, but no way can you break a pile up on 100watts, so I'm not really sure how important it is to pull out weak signals, even you need the power to work them.. So why would i spend thousands to listen to weak stations when it's near impossible to work them..

890 rules