Updating the Sangean DT-400W Review

Not happy with the FM on my Sangean DT-180, especially since the TV band bleeds into weaker FM stations like KPCC 89.3, I purchased the new Sangean DT-400, which I just bought on Amazon with free shipping for $61. Unlike my DT-180 which operates on a single AAA battery, the DT-400 uses two AA batteries. This makes sense since the DT-400 has a built-in speaker, unlike the much smaller DT-180.

It appears the DT-400 is an update of the DT200, famous for its great AM but stuck with the soon obsolete TV band. Instead of TV band, the DT-400 features a weather band in addition to AM and FM.

The DT-400 includes earbuds, which work as the radio's FM antenna and you need them. Without the earbuds or provided wire, you will get NO FM reception. I replaced the stock buds with my high-fidelty $30 V-MODA earbuds. The FM reception is just as good so apparently it doesn't matter if you use the stock earbuds or not. 

What's nice about the DT-400 is you can listen through the buds or the built-in speaker. On the radio's upper left side you have a switch with 3 options: SP is for listening through speaker; MO is mono through the earbuds; ST is stereo through the buds. For FM with the buds, you will probably want MO, especially for weaker stations. You'll get less background noise.

You also get a DBB button for "Deep Bass Boost," a feature that interests me little as I don't want to thump my eardrums into intractable tinnitus. 

One of the advantages of the DT-400 W over the DT-80 is you get 19 presets combining AM and FM. This comes with a slight disadvantage: Your learning curve for learning how to set and navigate the memories is longer with the DT400W. You turn the radio on, find the station you want, then press band until the display shows you're in "M" mode. From there, you use the tuning buttons to choose the "M" preset number. One you select the number, you press the "Memo" (for memory) button to set the preset. To toggle through the presets, you press up and down the tuning buttons.

Radio Reception:

I'd need to preface my reception judgment by saying you can't measure a portable radio by the same standards of a stationary radio because for AM you position the radio to maximize reception and with FM you elevate and angle the telescopic or wire antenna to the "right spot" to optimize reception. In contrast, when you're walking or running in the outdoors with your portable radio, you can't enjoy such stability so you are going to go through compromised positions that in turn compromise your signal. Having said that, there are still marked differences in performance and I can say the DT-400 is a much better performer than my DT-180. Unlike the 180, my 400 grabs 89.3 and 103.1, relatively weak stations. Slight static when walking isn't so distracting as to dissuade me from listening. AM stations were also loud and clear even though there is no AM filter.

On weather band, channels 3,6, and 7 are all the same and the signal differs in strength. 3 and 6 have significant static while 7 is loud and clear. There is no signal on the other stations.

Final Thoughts: I doubt I will be using the built-in speaker much. The sound is so much better through my V-MODA buds that there is little point listening through the speaker. Also the radio doesn't stand up, so I'll be using it while I'm walking, a situation I'd be using the earbud-doubling-as-FM-antenna anyway.

Final Verdict: Highly Recommended.

Post Script: Because there is a large degree of interest in the DT400W, I will be posting period updates whenever I recognize something of note during my use of it--which is my daily 30-minute walk with my dog. 

Update: 7-3-09:

Battery life, ease of use, AM reception and build quality continue to impress. My esteem has lowered a bit for FM, but this is not because the tuner lacks sensitivity. The FM is more dependent on variable motion of the antenna while walking. My only static station is my 89.3 from Pasadena. My Torrance neighborhood provides a bit of a challenge. Having said that, I doubt any radio can beat the DT-400 in this portable category.  

Not happy with the FM on my Sangean DT-180, especially since the TV band bleeds into weaker FM stations like KPCC 89.3, I purchased the new Sangean DT-400, which I just bought on Amazon with free shipping for $61. Unlike my DT-180 which operates on a single AAA battery, the DT-400 uses two AA batteries. This makes sense since the DT-400 has a built-in speaker, unlike the much smaller DT-180.

It appears the DT-400 is an update of the DT200, famous for its great AM but stuck with the soon obsolete TV band. Instead of TV band, the DT-400 features a weather band in addition to AM and FM.

The DT-400 includes earbuds, which work as the radio's FM antenna and you need them. Without the earbuds or provided wire, you will get NO FM reception. I replaced the stock buds with my high-fidelty $30 V-MODA earbuds. The FM reception is just as good so apparently it doesn't matter if you use the stock earbuds or not. 

What's nice about the DT-400 is you can listen through the buds or the built-in speaker. On the radio's upper left side you have a switch with 3 options: SP is for listening through speaker; MO is mono through the earbuds; ST is stereo through the buds. For FM with the buds, you will probably want MO, especially for weaker stations. You'll get less background noise.

You also get a DBB button for "Deep Bass Boost," a feature that interests me little as I don't want to thump my eardrums into intractable tinnitus. 

One of the advantages of the DT-400 W over the DT-80 is you get 19 presets combining AM and FM. This comes with a slight disadvantage: Your learning curve for learning how to set and navigate the memories is longer with the DT400W. You turn the radio on, find the station you want, then press band until the display shows you're in "M" mode. From there, you use the tuning buttons to choose the "M" preset number. One you select the number, you press the "Memo" (for memory) button to set the preset. To toggle through the presets, you press up and down the tuning buttons.

Radio Reception:

I'd need to preface my reception judgment by saying you can't measure a portable radio by the same standards of a stationary radio because for AM you position the radio to maximize reception and with FM you elevate and angle the telescopic or wire antenna to the "right spot" to optimize reception. In contrast, when you're walking or running in the outdoors with your portable radio, you can't enjoy such stability so you are going to go through compromised positions that in turn compromise your signal. Having said that, there are still marked differences in performance and I can say the DT-400 is a much better performer than my DT-180. Unlike the 180, my 400 grabs 89.3 and 103.1, relatively weak stations. Slight static when walking isn't so distracting as to dissuade me from listening. AM stations were also loud and clear even though there is no AM filter.

On weather band, channels 3,6, and 7 are all the same and the signal differs in strength. 3 and 6 have significant static while 7 is loud and clear. There is no signal on the other stations.

Final Thoughts: I doubt I will be using the built-in speaker much. The sound is so much better through my V-MODA buds that there is little point listening through the speaker. Also the radio doesn't stand up, so I'll be using it while I'm walking, a situation I'd be using the earbud-doubling-as-FM-antenna anyway.

Final Verdict: Highly Recommended.

Post Script: Because there is a large degree of interest in the DT400W, I will be posting period updates whenever I recognize something of note during my use of it--which is my daily 30-minute walk with my dog. 

Update: 7-3-09:

Battery life, ease of use, AM reception and build quality continue to impress. My esteem has lowered a bit for FM, but this is not because the tuner lacks sensitivity. The FM is more dependent on variable motion of the antenna while walking. My only static station is my 89.3 from Pasadena. My Torrance neighborhood provides a bit of a challenge. Having said that, I doubt any radio can beat the DT-400 in this portable category.  

Comments

[Huesby]

Now that the dust on the quest to find the best AM portable radio has settled, Why don´t we begin a new quest to find what´s the best FM radio ?

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Very difficult because as you move with the radio, FM fades in and out. The antenna on these types is the actual earbud wire.

[Karl Dahlquist]

I have a Sony SRFM37W for use while walking around in Burbank....the AM is great (I think I first saw it on CCRANE, but bought it at Frys)

Anyway, the FM is lacking, and have been wondering about the latest Sangean.

As for KPCC....they have a 600 watt signal...less than the lights in my apartment...KCRW is 10x's the strength.

[Carrie]

So it's not just distance; it's a weak signal. Thanks for the info. No wonder KPCC requires an A grade FM performer.

[Mark Roberts]

The new generation of DSP radios have excellent FM performance. For something similar in size to the Sangean pocket portables, try the Degen DE1123 (available from Amazon). The AM performance is mediocre, but the FM performance is awesome. It also comes with rechargeable batteries *and* has 1 GB of storage if you like to record broadcasts. Costs around $80.

[Tim]

I use this radio on walks too. Try wrapping the antenna around your belt loops. It makes for a degree of stability of reception.

[GregS]

The Sangean DT-400W is an excellent radio for ultralight DXing of the AM band (see dxer.ca for info on ultralight DXing if you're not familiar with ultralight DXing). My DT-400W is one of my main ultralight recievers now.

[Michael Brent]

Isnt the DT-400W EXACTLY the same as a DT-200VX with weather instead of TV?

[Jeffrey McMahon]

My guess is they're similar in performance. You can save $15 by getting the 200 version.