Sony ICF-P27 AM FM Portable Radio Review

No video

Sony ICF-P27 AM FM Portable Radio Review

Рет қаралды 70,858

Күн бұрын

The new Sony ICF-P27 AM FM Portable Radio now utilizes a DSP. Sony does a fantastic job by bringing an all analog feel with this new technology. During the review I will be comparing it to the older, all analog ICF-P26. Is it time to run out, and buy the older model before it's gone? Possibly.
(paid links below) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you.
▶ The Sony ICF-P27 AM FM Radio at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3UxTQJV
Can't find the Sonys. Here is a Good Alternative:
▶ The Sangean SR-35 at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3uFGC0V
▶ The Terk Advantage Loop at Amazon: amzn.to/2xDGX9D
▶ Todd's Shop: www.amazon.com...
Features I like about the new Sony P27:
Sensitive on the FM Band.
Clear Audio.
Tunes like an Analog Radio.
Long Run Times.
AA Battery Operation.
Stands Nicely.
Sensitive, and Selective on the AM band.
Decent Headphone Experience.
Tuning, and Battery Life LED Indicators.
Fairly Accurate Dial.
Included Carry Strap.
Features that could be Added, or Improved on:
Lower Noise Floor.
More Selectivity on the FM band would make it a Champ.
Lower the Price to Twenty Dollars.
Overall, if the P26 disappears, you are left with a Capable Portable. I am happy Sony went the extra mile to make this new DSP technology Easy to Listen to.
Come join the Todderbert Disscusion Group over at Discord:
/ discord
* Todderbert's Rockin' Radio Shop *
www.radiowaves...
You can help support the channel now by just doing your normal shopping through my Amazon links.
You don't even need to buy the item you are linked to. Just remember to use the link when you decide to shop for something at the big online store :) Awesome!
▶ Amazon Item Donation: www.amazon.com...
▶ Patreon Forum: / todderbert
Special thanks go out to my Patreon Cornerstone Supporters:
Arnold Alt
Peter Atkinson
floredon
Jon B
Gary B
Don B
Paul B
Rita B
Eric C
Chuck E
Loretta J
Mac R
Bill Wood
Raymond V

Пікірлер: 203

@todderbert 4 ай бұрын

(paid link below) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The Sony ICF-P27 AM FM Radio at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3UxTQJV

@jamesrogalski2085 8 ай бұрын

I'm 65 year old male. When it came to transistor radios I always got my sisters hand me downs. And my Dad always got my hand me downs! Which was fine because we all took care of our stuff. Every 3 - 4 years my sister would buy a new radio as they improved. My first radio was a 4 transistor Sony using the 9 volt battery. I was 5 years old and dearly loved that radio. My Mother made a case for it out of an old rain suit with a long strap to go over my left shoulder and hang on my right hip. If it started to rain I was able to pull the flap over the radio and snap it closed to keep it dry. The case even had a little pouch on it to carry a spare battery in it. Next, I got a Panasonic 6 Transistor that took 4 AA batteries and Mom made me a new case out of a rubber raft. Those were the best days of my life! Where ever I went so did my radio! And my Dad loved to listen to the ball games while he puttered around the house and yard. Things were so simple back then. 😊

@CriLu Жыл бұрын

The ICF-P27 is not a DSP. It is an analog radio with all circuits on a single chip. The name of the chip is SSS16R482. It is tuned with a variable resistor, so its behavior is similar to a DSP radio, but for all intents and purposes it is still an analog radio.The only DSP portable Sony radio remains the ICF-506.

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

and the Sony ICF-19

@miquelbosch7309 7 ай бұрын

Parece que el P-27 ha sido descatalogado. Porque? Ha estado poco tiempo en el mercado.

@user-cd9rd7jb2z Ай бұрын

Which one is better analog or dsf in terms of sound?

@Bob-1802 17 күн бұрын

@@user-cd9rd7jb2z Same thing. It moslty boils down to a different way to demodulate the signal.

@ky7114 2 жыл бұрын

One issue that seems to exist with these dial-tuned DSP pocket radios is that many examples of them will stop playing randomly, and then they need to be switched off and back on again to get them to resume playing. Several reviews note this, and I have a Sangean SR-35 that does this, as well as a Panasonic RF-P50D that exhibits this random cutting out. I do not own the radio reviewed here, but there is at least one review online saying this new Sony radio, too, exhibits this behavior. I am sure this problem is nowhere near universal, but I also have several digitally-tuned DSP radios, and none of them do this, nor have I heard this problem noted by anyone else regarding the digitally-tuned radios. Given this, my personal conclusion is that digital tuning technology seems to interface better with the DSP chip than a dial-type tuner. If someone is interested in a dial-tuned radio with credible performance, I recommend the Tecsun R9700DX, of which I have three. This is a non-DSP AM/FM/shortwave radio costing $50-$60, which todderbert has also reviewed favorably. The R9700DX offers phenomenal battery life, exceptionally good sound for a radio its size, good to very good reception, and maybe best of all, a beautiful dial light that allows you to use it comfortably in the dark.

@NickelodeonTuber 2 жыл бұрын

ToddErbert, thanks for bringing us up to speed on the new icf P27. DSP done right! I compared both and have concluded the same. Not knowing how the new DSP works, I called it micro- stepping. It's hard to tell when the frequency jumps to the next 10kHz because tuning is much finer. Get both the P26 and P27 for ultimate fun with radios. Both are great!

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

Did some more research and it is a CMOS controlled Analog IC. So a Hybrid Tuner for sure.

@dougmiller2937 Жыл бұрын

@@todderbert I have both models the p26 and the p27 I found the earphone volume to be not as loud as the p26 as if it is limited for safety, Only in the earphones though not the speaker of course.

@madmax2069 Жыл бұрын

@@dougmiller2937 yeah, my P26 is a lot louder with headphones than my P27, at max volume for the headphones the P27 is under half as loud as the P26 can get.

@faxmen09 2 жыл бұрын

P26 was first Todderbert radio I purchased, ~$18 last year. Listen to it about every day, early eve favorite FM radio show, Two Guys named Chris. Late night when I can't sleep listen to WCBS NY, ~550 miles away. Excellent little radio. P27 seems an improvement in some areas. I don't care for the shortened FM band scale though, wonder why they did that? Been looking at the Panasonic 2400D for quite awhile. That may be my next purchase. Thanks for the review.

@castironkid6025 Жыл бұрын

I'm glad I bought a P26 over a year ago, I didn't know Sony was doing an "upgrade" to this DSP Chipped model. Have several DSP chipped radios and they're great in my opinion but I prefer old fashioned electronics in my radios. As you said Todderbert the noise floor of the P26 was noticeably quieter. As always great review.

@madmax2069 Жыл бұрын

The issue with the P26 is that it easily overloads on FM, but the P26 is awesome on AM/MW. The P27 is great at FM but not as good on /MW. The other issue is that the headphone volume is pretty low on the P27 vs the P26.

@EASTERBUNNY7772 Жыл бұрын

After watching your review, I ordered the P27

@Traderhorn 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I found your channel and you review of FM/AM radios, in UK it’s all about Digital Radio DAB, more expensive and eats batteries, fortunately our Government are keeping FM/AM for another ten years,so wanted old style radio, Have bought a Sony P27 a nice pocket radio, and lucky to find a new Sony P26 on good discount they are hard to find one, now I have both, Will use P27 for FM and P26 for AM, thanks for your advice will keep watching have subscribed.

@jaimesk1688 Жыл бұрын

I have several newer digital radios with the trait of drifting off-freq on weaker stations over time (you fix that by tuning off-freq and back on, but it's annoying to wake from a nap!). I am happy to say the SONY ICF-P27 does NOT have this problem....it stays rock-steady. Even with pwr-off/pwr-on. Slightly behind the ICF-P26 for night AMDX, but ahead for daytime AMDX. Own both!! A bit hot on FM...start with antenna down. Some 'over=sharpening', but that's cool for weak stations.

@DaleChiTown 2 жыл бұрын

Great review as always. I love my P26 on AM/MW but the FM isn’t great as far as selectivity. Been waiting for this review. May get the P27 down the road. My FM monsters are currently the Prunus J166 and Tecsun PL 310 (SW too)

@acoustic61 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review! Cool little radio. I like the long battery life. Didn't know it was possible with DSP. I just ordered my first battery powered radio in decades. The Reketess V111 for hiking and AM/shortwave listening at night. I like the ability to program presets. However, I still like the linear dial with this Sony and may get it too.

@racinchef Жыл бұрын

I was impressed with the review and since I recently bought a Sony ICF-19, I thought I’d get one. I picked one up at Walmart and messed around with it for a few days. It did tune nice and smooth, but in the end the lack of volume was too much for me. My hearing is not so good and when you’re trying to tune in a weak station with earphones and external noise overpowers the radio it’s not fun. I have one of those red Prunus J-166’s and it’ll blow your sox off! UPDATE Rewatched the three videos recently and decided to give the ICF-P27 another go. Just arrived today and a quick daytime AM band scan was exceptional. Earphone volume was still weak, but speaker volume was loud at same level.

@jeffking4176 2 жыл бұрын

This is interesting, because it means that DSP Technology CAN be pushed beyond what is done currently. This leaves only one Tecsun, and one Kaito as Non-DSP-based pocket radios. [ Tecsun R-218 / Kaito KA-230] * I’m ready: I have 3 Sony ICF-S10MK2, 1 ICF-S10, 1. ICF-S14, 3 Tecsun R-218, 2. Kaito KA-230 [ prices have come down on the S10MK2, but watch the price of P-26 skyrocket] (( I also have 3 ICF-P26 radios)). Excellent review. Most interesting. 📻🙂

@CriLu Жыл бұрын

is not dsp, is PLL analogic chip

@robertma6068 4 ай бұрын

My neighbor picked this up for me today, and I've been very happy with it! Pikcs up even the university radio that I've had trouble picking up. I'm glad that I have an extra pair of headphones, as that one has two notches, and my main ones have three, so with my main pair, you only get sound on one side. I've been getting back into radio, and this is a nice little re-introduction. I'm able to easily plug it into my computer speakers or my bose dock station when I want to, as well. It's an interesting expreince to manually tune like I did when Iwas a kid. I really want to go to manual tuning; again; digital tuning can be nice, but when you don't have a tuning dial as well, it drives me bonkers! You just can't get the same sort of fine tuning you get with a dial. I find that ditigal tuners will often skip over stations because id doesn't read them as strong enough, but really, they're fine. You know, your channel seems to be THE channel for radio! Every time I google something, your channel comes up first! :)

@hermanhelfrich1747 9 ай бұрын

I have a p26 and p27 enjoy them both at home work and outdoors.

@RFTW88 2 жыл бұрын

The review I’ve been waiting for 🙌

@Minusroot8 2 жыл бұрын

We all have!

@jlichi1510 2 жыл бұрын

Same here.

@gnarlock3927 Жыл бұрын

I just picked up a P27 and it's simply the most enjoyment I've received from a product. I have plenty of Hi-Fi equipment and money spent but this lil guy hits the Economy factor so good. Makes me think of the guy sitting outside the baseball field trying to tune in the game, the fading between channels

@thomasschreiber9559 Жыл бұрын

Good AM radio reception is important to me

@Madmax-TV 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best pocket radio. I love the battery life.

@fourtysix4646 2 жыл бұрын

You have the analog or digital version? I prefer the p26 plus it has longer battery life then this new version.

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

@@fourtysix4646 by a few hours.

@fourtysix4646 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert yes by 6 hours. 94 vs 100, to me a few means 2-3.

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

@@fourtysix4646 in the context of 94 vs 100, a few hours seems to fit, for me.

@jasons8479 2 жыл бұрын

To me 2 hours would be a *couple,* not a few, though the word is open to interpretation and can be a bit ambiguous. Also, _few_ and _a few_ mean different things. *Few* means small number of or a small proportion, while *a few* means some but not too many. Then there's *quite a few* which indicates a somewhat larger number. All containing the same word "few" but meaning different things. Sometimes _few_ and _a few_ can mean opposite things depending on the situation. If you said *few* Americans listen to radio, as a hypothetical example, and you meant by "few" only 1%, that's still 3 million people. While if you said *a few* Americans, it might only mean a dozen. While if you said you had *few* AA batteries left it might mean 2-3, while *a few* AA batteries might mean 5-8, and *quite a few* might mean 12-100. In any case, to me the difference between potentially 94 hours and 100 hours is not really statistically significant, as so many factors affect battery life, such as the quality and freshness and type battery used, the volume the radio is played at, how much bass the audio contains, whether you use AM or FM, the temperature, and more.

@fancee54 Жыл бұрын

I own a p26 and I just ordered a p27, thanks for your video, it was very helpful.

@NicholasShade-eq1ts Жыл бұрын

I'm going to get one of these radio's.❤️‍🔥

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

Translation of a press release (not a full datasheet) of the mixed signal square chip there. Impressive stuff: "Sanshin Electric Co in collaboration with Soarisu Co have developed a full CMOS one-chip 0.95V drive AM / FM. / FM Stereo / Radio tuner IC (SSS16R1482). By doing the signal processing with analog circuits, it can operate at low voltage with low current consumption. * Power supply voltage: 0.95V to 3.6V * Current consumption: MAX 9mA (FM), 7mA (AM) By using this IC, the number of peripheral parts such as the varicap diode AM / FM ceramic filters can be reduced, and the radio can be made smaller and cheaper. *Main uses: portable radios from 0.95V to 3.6V and radios that run on a single dry cell. By connecting a control microcomputer or his EEPROM, it is possible to support audio equipment other than radios. In the future, we plan to develop products in the field of small mobile devices. *Main features; 1. Full CMOS radio tuner IC that does all signal processing with analog circuits. 2. No varicap diode, ceramic filter, IF transformer, FM detection ceramic filter is used. 3. Equipped with many functions required for radio * Built-in image signal removal circuit (using low IF frequency) * FM / AM intermediate frequency filter using SCF (switched capacitor filter) technology * No-adjustment required FM demodulation and stereo decoder circuits * Decibel display FM / AM RSSI * Built-in PLL synthesizer * PLL reference frequency is 32.768KHz with built-in oscillation circuit (external oscillator) * Band switching setting with DC voltage * Built-in constant voltage regulator January 31, 2019 Sanshin Electric Co., Ltd."

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the information!

@CriLu 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for clarifying! so it is not a DSP chip, but an analog chip where they managed to insert even more circuits than the previous cxa1019s, the most amazing thing is the PLL system for tuning, this is what makes it a middle ground between the previous pure analog circuit and the new and widespread DSPs

@miked104 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks todderbert for the review. I didnt realize sony updated the pocket model again. Have you tried out the Sangean wr-7? I was thinking about getting one of those

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

I heard the WR-7 is Worthy. I have yet to get one.

@jacobgoettl1782 2 жыл бұрын

AM can sound just as good as fm, i have a transmitter i bought and have a crystal radio and the sound from the AM transmitter is excellent .

@KRAFTWERK2K6 Жыл бұрын

Yeah it all just really depends on the bandwidth.

@BrekMartin 8 ай бұрын

It can’t tho. AM broadcast has objectively lower sound quality than FM broadcast. FM stereo diminished things somewhat because it was a bang up job that needed to be backward compatible.

@charleswoodworth8299 2 жыл бұрын

Pt 26 sensitive to static electricity. Kills the FM. Went through 2 in 6 weeks. Went to the sangean, still works great after 2 years carrying it around in my pocket every day. I wonder if the pt27 is better with static electricity.

@pryebloo63 Жыл бұрын

Pleasantly surprised they've manaaaged to replicate analog tuning with this

@CoasterMan13Official 4 ай бұрын

I'm looking at this review because I'm looking for a nice little radio for personal listening in my bedroom. The Sony ICF-P27 was the first one recommended to me, and it's the only real option I have at this point.

@NTPTM 2 жыл бұрын

Hej Todderbert thanks for the review i have the previous model ICF-P26 So I will buy this one too and test them against each other here where I live too and nice to own both models as well take care and have nice day.

@landonmiller6943 2 жыл бұрын

Get the ICF-P26 before it disappears for that analog tuning! It's a great little portable radio! Also the Sangean SR-35, which I think I prefer to the Sony ICF-P26, 'cause it has better audio. Both are great portable radios though from the big brand names. 73s

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

For the new DSP tech, Sony is making a Decent Effort for sure. I like the SR-35 on FM, and the P26 on AM.

@KorayKahvecioglu 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for the introduction

@STR82DVD 2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff lad. The similarities between the new unit versus the previous Sony radio is striking. I find it a fat boy for what you get and I wish the Sony product designer had put the new unit on a diet.

@crooner2007 2 жыл бұрын

Correct. Not much progress made in that department in the last 40 years or so. Back in the late 1970's, early 1980's all the major Japanese manufacturers had sleek thin pocket radios. I have a Toshiba from 1980 that is thinner and has PLL synthesized digital tuning with 12 memory presets!

@zzzz-ok7733 2 жыл бұрын

Great Little radio, have one for myself and gave some away as gifts...!

@number6705 2 жыл бұрын

I have a Sangean PR-D8 which I treasure. Records MP3’s on standard SD cards. Quality is 100%. Too bad they stopped making…probably mfg cost too high

@dustoff499 2 ай бұрын

See here's the deal - I say buy it. If we don't buy these radios, they will stop making them and then we're screwed. It's not going to kill your budget and you could always gift them.

@todderbert 2 ай бұрын

Sony will probably exit radio making in the future as it stands. I am glad there are many of them on the secondary market to choose from. Even the old flagship 2010 is coming down in price.

@Leinsterbaby Жыл бұрын

World is going a bit crazy... i am honestly thinking of getting one .... for real, this is how I ended up watching this review ...

@royalhoward2882 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video review as always. I have the legendary SONY ICF-S10MK2 here with me right now. My question is do you think that this SONY ICF-P27 is as good or even better than the ICF-S10MK2 ?

@martin-ot Жыл бұрын

Hi, and Thanks for your awesome reviews as always! 🎉 I would really love for you to review the new DSP based cousin P37. It seems to have the full FM scale also outside of Japan, and sold at a good price level for me who prefers a more desk oriented smaller radio.

@CriLu Жыл бұрын

The reason for the change of the chip is due to the frequent breakage of the variable capacitor, it is now difficult to find on the market, and it costs a lot as well as no longer having the quality of the past

@lairdsky4604 Жыл бұрын

correct me if wrong but the P26 has approx 120 run hours but the newer p27 only 90 run hours?

@lklpalka Жыл бұрын

KYW 1060 Philadelphia always comes in here on the East coast. Don't know their wattage but I listen. Nice review, like the P27, anything SONY

@jlichi1510 2 жыл бұрын

I love the headphone experience of my p26. Is the p27 headphone experience any different?

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

They are similar to me.

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert I was disappointed they didn't upgrade the headphone jack to work with the smartphone headphones that are so common these days. Be nice if some DSP radio, somewhere, decoded the vol +/- buttons on trrs headphones.

@lklpalka Жыл бұрын

thorough breakdown thanks!

@ArtemKritov Жыл бұрын

Nice review! Thank you!

@miquelbosch7309 7 ай бұрын

Descatalogado después de tan poco tiempo?

@sreetsr 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Sir, And I bought last week the older one , P26😊 . I love analog tuning . Operating with two 2800mah 'AA' rechargeable battery. 👍

@papasnejk87 Жыл бұрын

How on earth they got away without the stereo through the headphones!?!

@SteveChippyPaine 7 ай бұрын

So thats something like 20-30mW power usage. Wow. OK its probably measured with headphones but its still extremely efficient.

@madmax2069 Жыл бұрын

The only issue with the p27 is the headphone volume, it's not that loud. Weak volume with the headphones output can be an issue for many. My P26 is an absolute beast for a pocket radio it can drive my Maono studio headphones to uncomfortable levels, the p27 is about as loud as a mouse fart in comparison.

@WulfWehrle Жыл бұрын

Awesome radio! Love mine.

@Chiavaccio Жыл бұрын

Great review!!👏👏👏👏

@rushtimemachine 2 жыл бұрын

Been waiting for this video!! My p26 was good but something happened and it doesn't tune in many stations anymore or I find a strong station all over the band. I am unsure what happened, I took good care of it. Hopefully the p27 will last longer!! I will probably buy both, so i can have a working 26, and the new 27. Thank you sir!!

@rushtimemachine 2 жыл бұрын

Ordered a new P26 before there arent anymore. I will get a p27 soon... Even used the handy link on the video! 😁

@voltare2amstereo Жыл бұрын

The tuning scale gives away DSP vs traditional. AM has more space between frequency on the lower 2/3 An

@bongtechnature 2 жыл бұрын

Todd, make a comparison video of P27 with SR35.

@jeffking4176 2 жыл бұрын

Good idea. 📻🙂

@andysrandomness Жыл бұрын

Sony I feel is seeing the bar low for their DSP Dilemma The ICFP26 is going to be the golden standard of the proud true last analog tuner

@mitchellloessl320 Жыл бұрын

Just got my p27 for out on hikes Best raido ever

@peterbuer2510 2 жыл бұрын

Good evening from the UK.. I love watching your channel over here, with the interesting comparisons between radio receivers.. It's almost a shame you don't have DAB radio over there, as that would add a new element to reviews.. I live between two cities in the north of England and if I were to put a DAB equipped radio on a re-scan in a window, it would find 90+ digital stations. Not all of which are strong enough in signal strength to reliably listen to, but most would be.. Receivers of course vary very much in cost, sensitivity and audio quality as you would expect, but reasonable ones are available from about £50 UK... Almost all of our DAB equipped stuff has FM also, but no AM medium wave coverage.. That isn't too popular here these days.. DAB is pretty much universal in cars under about five years old.. Keep up the good work todderbert!... :}

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, we got HD digital radio overlaid on the analog FM. It hasn't been a roaring success. I would have loved for end of analog TV to allow for DAB+ in the 76-87MHz range. I've always assumed they're not doing that because of backward compatibility and size of installed base of analog radios. The USA still is stuck with 29.97 instead of 30fps because of over-commitment to TV compatibility back in the 1950s.

@peterbuer2510 2 жыл бұрын

@@radellaf Our digital radio occupies between 175 and 230 Mhz with the original basicly MP2 codec and the newer MP4... All but the oldest DAB radios support both.. I had a couple of early ones, but they've long been scrapped.. Even the newer ones are a bit heavy on the batteries with a 4 AA radio giving about 24 Hrs on alkaline, Many will give you a signal strength and error correction reading, along with the bitrate of the station received.. A lot of the commercial stations are heavily audio compressed, but the classical ones aren't.. Using headphones, you could question some of the bitrates used, but largely it's adequate..

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

@@peterbuer2510 It's certainly interesting to have commercial digital radio, different from the not-all-that-popular HD Radio in the USA. I'm not clear that DAB is really _better_ than analog FM, though. Certainly seems like it could/should be, given how ubiquitous digital demodulation and decompression is these days. That, and the fidelity compromise that is FM subcarrier stereo. My experience with HD is disappointing. I was hoping that the digital "knee" would be at a level where analog was noticeably noisy. It's not. Digital breaks down at about the same signal level that analog does. With full signal strength, to my ear, they sound about the same. There's a tiny range where analog is just beginning to get worse where the digital still holds on. Below that, analog wins. Given how advanced, say, cellular LTE/5G is, I was hoping they could do better. Then again HD and DAB modulation schemes are around 20 years old.

@tunix79 2 жыл бұрын

DAB probably doesn't make that much sense in the US, given the vast distances within that country. From what I've read, FM coverage outside of metropolitan areas can be quite patchy. The higher frequencies of VHF band III certainly do not help with that problem. However, I don't live in the US, so I don't know first hand. The situation in Europe is definitely different, though. Germany is the roughly the size of Montana, yet 82 million people live there (and 67 million people in the UK, which is the size of Colorado). FM coverage is excellent unless you live in a deep valley. Regarding audio quality, it is a mixed bag really. Depending on the station and the type of music being played, it can sound like a late nineties dial-up MP3 collection. Most of the time it is not much of an issue, though. In Germany, most stations have settled on 72 kb/s AAC+, with some public broadcasters using 104 kb/s or more.

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

@@tunix79 FM outside of, say, mid-size cities is largely just not there. Part of why satellite radio was 90% truckers in the beginning (before cars had it built-in). It's nice that low VHF can carry for 30-50 miles but that's not far if you're living or driving through rural areas. I read up some on HD and it seems like digital radio was a "solution looking for a problem" in the USA, and largely sold on the coattails of the digital TV switch, which had real benefits in terms of HD resolution and freeing up huge swaths of spectrum for cellular phone companies. The whole IBOC thing (analog+digital same freq) is more of a kludge than color TV though it basically works. Sure would have loved if they'd just given the 12 MHz of one or both of the TV channels 5 and 6 (76-88) below 88MHz to some sort of digital FM. Preferably 128+ AAC music or like 3 speech channels. Streaming audio kinda killed that and forced the merger of the satellite radio companies. Cellular costs a fortune and chews up tons of frequencies but the functionality is pretty amazing. As long as the weather isn't bad enough to blow down towers and shut off the power.

@joseg3259 Жыл бұрын

Hello Todderbert... the wife works in the Loop, housekeeping - will the p27 get a good FM reception or any suggestions for a small pocket radio? I was looking at the Sangean 35 as well I thank you for your most awesome videos...👍

@Pablo.Protasio Жыл бұрын

Ante todo. felicitación por el interesante contenido de vuestro canal. Me he dado cuenta, que en la escala de numeración de emisoras en fm, y en esta versión no viene el número 96. En la anterior versión, la escala en fm, si venía el número 96. A que es debido esta diferencia en la escala de números de emisoras de fm entre las dos radios sony ICF - P26 y ICF - P 27? Ya que exteriormente las dos radios son iguales, solo se diferencian por utilizar cada una de ellas, escalas de fm de números diferentes. Muchas gracias por vuestra atención. Un cordial saludo desde España 🇪🇸 👋

@miquelbosch7309 7 ай бұрын

Parece que el P-27 ha sido descatalogado. Poco tiempo ha estado en el mercado desde su lanzamiento.

@CriLu Жыл бұрын

l To overcome this problem they replaced the variable capacitor with a potentiometer, but the old chip CXA1019S it doesn't support it, and they had to switch chips by switching to the SSS16R482

@miquelbosch7309 Жыл бұрын

Encuentro réplicas de modelos descatalogados de Sony. Merece la pena comprar?

@miquelbosch7309 2 жыл бұрын

Que nos aporta el DSP respecto al analógico

@neoracer46 2 жыл бұрын

Que la sintonización es digital en vez de analógica👌 menos ruido en la emisora seleccionada y más radios encontradas👌

@gustavogiampietro1138 Жыл бұрын

La selectividad, mejor capacidad en la discriminación de emisoras que estan pegadas en el dial, tanto en FM como en AM.

@sonic2000gr Жыл бұрын

Interesting, the ICF-P37 (which is out now) does not have the same FM scale problem as the P27.

@woxyroxme 10 ай бұрын

I bought a P26 as a backup in case my 10 year old Sony broke, when it broke I started using the P26 and saw that Walmart had what I thought was the same radio so I bought it and it turned out to be a P27, it seems that the FM dial is too condensed into a small space much like the cheap Cody brand radios that you can buy at big lots. Was the DSP a means of cost cutting? I have a lot of radio stations where I live and need a fully spread out dial because of bleed over. I also live 10 miles from the WLW tower and it wreaks havoc on nearby stations on the dial such as WGN

@radellaf 2 жыл бұрын

So here is wondering if the P36 (landscape version of P26) or the 306 will change to the new circuitry. I still _love_ the 306 for making the best of a small speaker and 2xAA, albeit at a larger size (benefit: larger tuning scale) and double the price.

@Thievius333 Жыл бұрын

The largest selling point for the P26 was the analog tuning. Its got a great battery life as well, but the analog tuning was the main draw. At least for me. Take that away and you simply have another "good" (not great) radio with a digital tuner. Heck, the P26 is not that powerful in the first place, they literally stripped away the only reason for buying this model radio! Typical Sony screwup.

@tamasgrofsics5934 Жыл бұрын

Thanks man 👍🏼

@braedendewitt3071 2 жыл бұрын

Do you believe that the p27 handles the issue where weaker stations next to stronger stations are harder to listen to/are over-run? I’ve had that issue with the p26, and I’m wondering if the dsp helps with that issue in the p27.

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

I do notice better selectivity on the FM band with the P27.

@r0naldzuccala198 2 жыл бұрын

Hello. I have the 26 and it's not bad. As always thanks. I will get the 27 shortly .but is it as good of the 36. Head to head would be cool.

@Inkling777 Жыл бұрын

Sony missed an opportunity when they didn't make this work with the three-ring earphones used by iPhones. That forces many travelers to carry two sets.

@Yesterday5656 Жыл бұрын

Sony P26 is currently $39.95 at Amazon as of 9/28/2022

@01chippe Жыл бұрын

That’s what I thought, until it arrived. It arrived in an envelope with the P26 sticker on it. However, when I opened the envelope, the P27 was there. I called Amazon and they advised I could return it. However, returns are not free any more. They wanted me to pay $8.00 and I had to bring it to a UPS location. I called and complained that I shouldn’t have to pay to return an item that was falsely advertised. They refunded me and told me to keep the radio.

@xentrix89 Жыл бұрын

I need a teardown of this i found one outside that does not work but i do have a soldering iron and i figure this would be a good thing to try to learn to solder with if there is anything that need be i took all the 3 screws i found out but im not quite sure wich way it pops apart and i dont want to break the plastic its in very good condition cosmetically

@pokepress Жыл бұрын

Does the sample music you use with the FM transmitter contain any test tones/frequency sweeps/stereo tests? Those would be good for testing various aspects of the radio.

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

Yes they do. Nice to know the radio does not chop the Right channel off like some radios do.

@Pablo.Protasio Жыл бұрын

Tengo una pregunta, porqué la escala numérica de fm es diferente entre los dos aparatos? En el modelo más reciente, falta el número 96 de la escala numérica de fm. Sintonizan con la misma calidad de recepción de emisoras los dos aparatos? y la misma cantidad de emisoras que pueden recibir? Cuales son las diferencias en calidad de sonido y recepción, entre la versión P 26 y P 27? Cual es mejor y peor, entre los dos aparatos? Muchas gracias por la atención. Saludos desde España 🇪🇸 👋

@javiergarciasalinas3827 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Todd, please ICF SW35 and HRD 747

@alfx5432 10 ай бұрын

I have one. I like it.

@1sonyzz Жыл бұрын

I have probably only two feature phones in existance which can play FM radio and AM radio (with special antenna adapter)

@luispablolee77 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, If still in the market, buy the p26, if you listen both AM and FM, get the p27; p27 is recommended?, maybe, so confusing which one you recommend to buy, p26, or p27, not a critique, I would like a straight forward answer

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

AM Get the P26, FM P27, AM & FM, P27.

@luispablolee77 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert Oh boy, thanks for the video, It was a great video, subbed

@radellaf Жыл бұрын

is this radio really low volume with stereo headphones vs others like it? It’s fine in a room but a bit quiet for outside.

@smfl106 2 жыл бұрын

The headset is really quiet on the ICF-P27 imo. Not sure how I can amp it up...

@dllorens Жыл бұрын

Beyond of 108MHz, it's possible to pick airband?

@johnmurray7114 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Todd, i have a question… what are some options that you recommend if i want to buy a (new) radio with an analog tuner (non DSP)? Thank you very much for your stellar videos! 😃

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

any of the Tecsun pocket radios with an analog scale will work. I like the R9012 for AM/SW, and the 909 for FM.

@johnmurray7114 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert Thank you :)

@fredsmith2277 Жыл бұрын

i have one of these !!! they have been selling them for years, why bother changing it if it works ???

@pokepress Жыл бұрын

So if I understand correctly, the dial looks analog, but in reality it’s stepping through the band in precise increments. Or is that wrong?

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

It is an interesting chip. Not a true DSP, and not a True Analog. It is a digital hybrid.

@vinayaghonge3362 Жыл бұрын

Hi Todd , Between P27 and Panasonic RF-2400D which one do you recommend ? Thank you

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

Big difference there, personally, I have hard time listening to the RF-2400D for long periods. I like a brighter, clearer tone. The P27 is much more portable, while the Panasonic can be plugged in anywhere you have an AC outlet, and will fill the room with audio much easier than the tiny P27.

@ImmortalThanos Жыл бұрын

I have the P26. Is the P27 slightly taller and/or thicker than the P26? I thought it looked like it when compared side by side, but I couldn't be sure.

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

They are identical, except for the dial.

@curtchase3730 Жыл бұрын

Checked Amazon on Feb 18 2023 and not even listed!

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

temporarily out of stock.

@fancee54 Жыл бұрын

Try abt electronics.

@luispablolee77 2 жыл бұрын

Happy to report I have received the radio, but Sony, Why? Why? Why on earth the antenna is placed like that! I am returning this because it is truly bothering me, can’t believe how they are cutting corners

@adiblack3013 Жыл бұрын

Hello. Are there any differences between Sony ICF-P27 and Sony ICF-P37? Is ICF-P37 also DSP radio?

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

The P37 may also have the new chip, which I found out isn't technically a DSP, but a digital controlled analog circuit...an odd hybrid.

@fiftyfuckingfeet 2 жыл бұрын

After watching this video I bought the ICF-P26. I had the ICF-P36 but gave it to my wife's mom. I bought other radios since but really missed how that one performs on AM. The only DSP radio I own that I really like for AM is the CCRadio SW. Anything else I don't like how it sounds or tunes. I especially enjoy using these Sony portables for AM dxing in bed before I go to sleep. For FM I think the DSP radios can't be beat though. I usually use my XHDATA D-808 or CCRadio SW for that.

@Fatih82838 Жыл бұрын

Hello. I have a Rxy 160 model radio. this model is sony p26 replica. I bought it because it was cheap. Is it normal for the sound quality to sound like old walkie talkies? How is the sound quality of sony p26 and can i get stereo sound from earphone? and finally what are the differences between p26 and p27?

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

No stereo. P26 is All Analog, and had the best performance on the AM band, while the P27 does better on FM. They both have similar speakers.

@darklotus5309 Жыл бұрын

Any suggestion for a radio with the best available speakers for around $100? I’ve been looking @ the big brother to this vs the $100 cd player boombox, but idk what’ll sound better or if there are better options.

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

Those Sony BoomBox Radios seem to be good. I have not tested one out yet, and can only suggest the Sangean PR-D15, or the HDR-16 if you want HD Radio.

@darklotus5309 Жыл бұрын

@@todderbert ultimately what I wish I could get is a modern equivalent to a Hitachi CX W700. That’s what I wanted to replace. Unfortunately $ isn’t the problem, when I find any available there’s always something important not working on it. Repair is next to impossible because the parts are hard to come by. What would you consider a close modern equivalent if say my budget was $250-$300? It had surround sound, a subwoofer & something called 3D on the equalizer. It was heavy & it blew away anything on the shelves today.

@inandouttv5365 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great review! I am getting one of those off Amazon. My question is what is it for? What to listen to with this or any other radio? What does it do or do better than a cell phone?

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

It will receive broadcasts for up to one hundred hours before needing new batteries. This can be important during a disaster where all Cell towers are down, or over crowded. You are able to stay informed with Alerts, News, Weather, ect while this is occuring. Plus it can be fun to unplug from the cell, and just sit back, and tune in live signals for free. No payment plans. You may only use it in an emergency, but get familiar with it before hand, and really study what it can do. Evening AM is great, picking up stations hundreds, even thousands of miles away.

@inandouttv5365 Жыл бұрын

@@todderbert Thank you greatly for your comment, good sir! As I am starting my enthusiastic dive into the world of radio, I agree with exactly those points; it's much less intrusive way of delivering information, not needing a screen and things like plans, internet connection, etc. Radio seems to be a very underrated and underused technology now. Thank you for your videos I find them very entertaining, please keep posting!

@freespirit1975 Жыл бұрын

@@inandouttv5365 I wouldn't do it if I were you. You should try another brand. I have the P27 I bought last week boxed up and ready to return to Amazon. I think there is only one seller of new ones-you might get the one I am returning. I ordered the P26 but though their advertisement listing (and the picture) says it is a P26, they are sending everyone a P27. It's really bait and switch. Though disappointed, I was going to keep it if it sounded good but it will only pick up local full power FM stations (100 KW ERP) with no static or dropping out. Somewhat weaker local stations that come in fine on my vehicle radios and even my small boom boxes, drop in and out, even when outside. Forget about stations 20 or 30 miles out of town. Totally unacceptable. The tuning wheel is a horror. There is so much slop in it that tuning it is like trying to drive a car down the road when the steering wheel has so much slop in it you have to turn the wheel repeatedly left and right a half turn just to go straight. It's so hard to tune I had to stand next to my home stereo and tune a really strong local station, listen to the song playing, and carefully listen for it on this radio, and it was STILL hard to tune it in. I didn't even try the AM band or unpack the ear buds. If you must have one to find out for yourself, you can get a P27 for $23 at Walmart plus $7 shipping plus tax.

@inandouttv5365 Жыл бұрын

@@freespirit1975 Thank you kindly! I have played around with it in a local Walmart and although liked it overall was not able to use much that tuner wheel. P27, not P26. I am getting a CC Pocket delivered next week. Seems like with the portable format it has all those issues addressed, we'll see. Freaking expensive but I decided to give it a go. Thanks again!

@01chippe Жыл бұрын

@@freespirit1975 I had the same issue. Even the envelope the box was in had a P26 label, but inside the envelope was the P27. They wanted me to pay $8.00 to ship it back. I called and told them I was not going to pay to return an item that was falsely advertised. They refunded me and told me to keep the radio.

@Chaoticmass Жыл бұрын

I live in a big city and I have trouble getting certain stations because stronger stations seem to bleed over farther away/weaker stations. I am using a P26. Would a P27 work better?

@todderbert Жыл бұрын

It may. There is better selectivity on FM with the P27.

@Chaoticmass Жыл бұрын

@@todderbert I just picked up an ICF-509 for use as a bed side radio and the DSP is great on it-- very easy to tune in those stations that the P26 struggles with (the P26 can do it but it has to be juuuust right)

@number6705 2 жыл бұрын

Don’t like Chinese radios. Why doesn’t America start to make low-end products again? Honest work.

@jeffking4176 2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately we do. WHIRLPOOL/ Maytag. And quality is really low. I went through several of their products. Finally found out, it wasn’t just me😑. [ Frigidaire is owned by Electrolux- Sweden.] Panasonic makes some radios in Indonesia. It all comes down to how “Business-Friendly “ our country is, and unfortunately, it’s not very. C.Crane , [ high end radios], SPECTRA: ( Jensen/Studebaker), And G.P.X. , Are American companies. [ Eton, was, but Headquartered in Dublin Ireland now]. All outsource to China. 📻🙂

@number6705 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffking4176 Appreciate all the info! Where is C Crane made? All else you said is true!

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

C.Crane is Located in California and Designs radios there, but has China Manufacture them.

@number6705 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert Thanks! Glad I discovered your channel! Great style you have

@bobc2960 2 жыл бұрын

@@todderbert What bugs me is how every radio CCrane sells doesn't include a A/C adapter. Just a nit pick thing like what Apple and Samsung does now

@firozmohammed222 Жыл бұрын

Nice 📻

@tunix79 2 жыл бұрын

The ICF-P27 looks like it would make a decent emergency radio. However, I find it a little bit odd that the FM scale is off by such a margin, as if an error crept in during labeling. After all, the ICF-P26 looks more coherent in this regard. I realize that the scale is not designed for precision, but I would be interested to know what happens if you extend the dial beyond the 108 MHz mark. Is it in fact "to scale" or is the 108 MHz position actually at the far end and the person responsible for the labeling just didn't care?

@todderbert 2 жыл бұрын

Might be the new tuning system they are using. It may have required this truncated scale. Which isn't great by any means.