Sony ICF-306, ICF-P26, ICF-P36 is ready on sale in Europe, Asia(Japan), and ICF-P26 in USA.
With curiosity I always buy every new Sony, I like them. Each Sony model bring something new.
In Japan I bought Sony ICF-306 and ICF-P36. FM frequency design for Asia from 76 to 108 MHz, it is narrow then if it's made for North America because half scale is not in range and it is more complicate to tune than if it's made from 88 to 108 MHz's ,but anyway I impressed from quality of reception and nice sound.
FM Reception is very clear, even with Asian frequency scale great signal null. ICF-P36 smaller than Sony ICF-306 but has almost equally great sound.
What is interesting thing about receivers that it produce sound with middle to high frequency, detailed like micro hi-fi audio. It doesn't have bass or in this size muffled sound with is hide music or voice speech details.
AM reception of Sony ICF-306 is more selective than ICF-P36. To compare: Sony ICF-306 more like ICF-38 and Sony ICF-P36 more like old ICF-S10MK by selectivity ,but both new receivers have better null clarity.
Antenna rotate in 360 degrees and receivers has very cool light legs. One is green ( power ) and other is red, tuning leg, at night it look nice.
Shape receivers is wider and it allow to put radio on any side to achieve better null a specially when listening AM.
Head phone is mono but in two headphones work, not like old ICF-S10MK just one.
Size Sony ICF-306 is something middle between ICF-38 and ICF-S10MK , with it still fit in big pocket, and ICF-P36 is like ICF-S10MK but wider.
Consumption: 2 AA buttery 100 hours work.
There is many positive thing for this receivers . It is portable, with better sound , better antenna rotation, with both headphone sound, reception, size and shape-essential improvement for simple analog AM,FM radio. I am looking forward to buy ICF-P26 with I believe identical to ICF-P36.
Val
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Posted by: Paul | November 08, 2015 at 04:28 PM
Thanks for the review - your description makes these new Sonys an intriguing option. I prefer mono for difficult listening conditions like on public transit. I don't need to carry a speaker - I always use headphones. So this wouldn't replace my SRF S84, which is ultra light and has high quality sound for the size.
Posted by: RadioFlynn | November 10, 2015 at 01:59 PM
The designers of this Sony ICF-306 should have thought about making the volume knob on the side a tuning knob and the tuning dial on top a volume control instead. I don't understand why they would flop with that decision and because of that, I would not buy one. I can't stand using radios that don't have a true tuning knob. It's a nice looking radio though.
Posted by: Dean | December 17, 2015 at 11:52 AM
I have all three of these new SONY models and also am impressed how clean and clear the audio is from mid range up. Of course there is no way to produce deep bass in these size radios. I don't think of them as DXers either, but very good battery life and very pleasant sound for radios in these small sizes. I also prefer not to try for FM stereo and like that both sides of the head phones operate. Coupled to a loop they DX pretty well too.
Posted by: FARMERIK | March 12, 2016 at 04:00 PM
I bought both Sony ICF-306 and ICF-P26 when I was traveled in Hong Kong. It has excellent reception. Since the place bought was in two floors down in the basement, the store owner was able do a sound test on the ICF-306 for me. The sound was lovely both on FM and AM even with the low volume setting. I love the simplistic boxy appearance. Now I have in my home, it will bring me joy for years to come.
Posted by: Athena | September 04, 2016 at 02:47 PM