Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception by Sony
|
List Price: Our Price: $135.09 You Save: $64.90 (32%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $135.00 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception
Digital camera Review: Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver
Summary: 5 Stars
A compact radio with excellent reception characteristics. The included spooled shortwave antenna allows reception of distant shortwave stations. The handbook is clear and logically laid out. Se up is easy. I am enjoying exploring the world with this radio!Digital camera Review: Very nice radio, though a bit expensive.
Summary: 5 Stars
Overall, I give it 4.5 stars. After reading many favorable reviews of this radio, I bought one as an "upgrade" from my 1991-vintage Radio Shack DX-440. The Sony is a high quality receiver with some nice features, but I think it's overpriced. For $150+ the standard accessories should include an AC adapter, rechargable batteries and an earphone. Shop around if you plan on buying one and try to get it on sale.
Good things:
- Well made, solidly built.
- It's compact! Like the size of a paperback book.
- Excellent sensitivity and very good selectvity.
- The synchronous AM feature works as advertised to reduce interference.
- 100 memory presets.
- Fully adjustable attenuator control (RF gain). Very useful when signals are too strong.
- Audio line-out jack (see below).
- Single side band (SSB) reception. Required for listening to HAM operators and certain other signals.
- Dual clocks.
- Display is recessed to reduce damage/scratches.
- Included clip-on reel antenna really helps reception.
Not-so-good things:
- The audio. It generally sounds muffled on shortwave broadcasts and just "okay" for regular AM/FM reception. Using ear buds helps, but the best option is running the line-out into an external amplifier.
- Small, recessed switches on sides of radio can be difficult to find by touch and hard to operate.
Minor negatives:
- Battery life is average, plan on using rechargables.
- Controls and features not 100% intuitive. Read the user's manual.
- Small display.
- Backlight could be brighter.
One last note: I don't understand why some reviewers claim the sensitivity is poor. As I write this in Colorado, the receiver is sitting on the floor with the antenna tucked away, and Radio Havana is booming in loud and clear. :)
Digital camera Review: Nice radio with shortcomings
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with most of the other reviews that this is a nice little radio. The build quality is excellent and the performance is pretty much as advertised. I did return mine as I felt the audio quality on the shortwave bands had a "thin" quality which made (for me) listening unpleasant. The sync detector does help, but only marginally, and I found the "hash" noise while scanning irritating. The Sony is selective and sensitive, but on the shortwave bands my very inexpensive 30 year old tabletop proved more listenable for me. Curiously, I thought the audio performance on the FM band was nice considering the size of the little Sony.Digital camera Review: Excellent radio; needs AC adapter though- not offered by Sony
Summary: 5 Stars
Easy to use; like the presets; world band use has a learning curve though - must read the owner's manual. Negative: needs AC adapter though - not offered by Sony.Digital camera Review: Very nice radio
Summary: 5 Stars
Very nice radio. No complaints at all. Fantastic AM/FM reception.
Gripes not worth loosing a star over are:
1. Small speaker - pack these electronics in a box with a nice speaker.
2. No AC adapter - It came with a nice manual and book, carry case even a shortwave antennae. I mean come on whats an AC adapter cost Sony?