I loved the radio and the scanner is super fast, but the audio was the worst I have ever heard out of a Yaesu. I compared the audio with the FT70D and I don't know why it doesn't sound even better. The speaker to my cell phones which is are tiny speakers and the Samsung and Apple cell phones sound great. What were they thinking when they made such a great radio with sound that just doesn't sound great. I bought the radio from HRO and I had it for about 10 days and I loved the touch screen and everything about it, BUT the audio annoyed me. I called up HRO and said I don't want to complain, but I just can't stand how it sounds. HRO was very nice and said they would give me a full refund with no restocking fees. I suggested to HRO to compare the audio to the FT70 and an Anytone D878 and even a cheap cell phone with tiny speakers. I am hoping that Yaesu comes out with another version with great audio.
Wow.... big decision friend! Send back a radio with so many cool features. I love my FT3D! Sound is ok..... with rubber flaps lifted.... a lot better. The enemy of good is perfection.
I had 2 ft70s, one from the states and a uk version . Both had really bad battery life and ended up selling them both . I used to love the Yaesu brand but in last 3 or 4 years they have gone down the pan . I currently use a Anytone 878 plus and the audio quality and battery life are outstanding. I have got rid of radios in the past because of thin tinny audio and know what you mean . DMR seems to be leading the way in digital communications in the ham world at the moment . Fusion is a good system let down by poor equipment in my opinion.....
How easy would the Anytone be for APRS use? Can if run an APRS smart beacon in a second channel while out hiking? That would be my main use - APRS on 144.800 (UK) and RAYNET on the other VFO on whatever 2m frequency they're using (or 145.500 if out on a SOTA activation wanting to listen to and eventually call CQ).
The problem with all of these HTs is that there is no truly good audio from ANY of them. I have the 878 as well and can speak to the differences. The 878 sounds ‘better’, true. But it’s still not great. For great voices, at reference audio levels, with no compromises, you’ll need something in the range of a 6” driver, a few watts to power it and in an enclosure that adds up to a comfortable 250Hz-2KHz in response. And if you want to capture the ranges of sibilance, you need something that extends even higher. Bluetooth gets it close (but introduces its own issues). Really, the best audio you’ll get from any HT is from the 3.5mm headphone output. You need a decent IEM that fully seals off the ear canal and has an 8-12mm driver. That’s generalized. But that’s where to start. Then (and only then) will you truly be able to hear everything coming over the airwaves.
Excellent information thank you. I didn’t really want to do this video but I did as an honest opinion. And lots of people agree with me look in the comments. Incidentally I actually bought another one because it is a fantastic radio. It’s just annoying when it’s not sounding as good as my FT70 which is half the price.
The 3D units I’ve heard on America-Link sound very muffled. With the Bluetooth headsets, they sound even worse. I’ll stick with my Anytone 878 and Yaesu 70D.
I was just about to order one for myself yesterday, and then I read all the reviews on the poor receive audio quality. That is the reason I use mostly professional grade radios. I have many Motorola radios that I use for the hobby. They have great audio, but of course I can't do C4FM on a XTS5000. There is no excuse in my book for poor receive audio quality in a radio. When SMT came along, things got smaller. OK, now use that extra space for a good speaker, etc. So now I wait to see if a firmware update will correct this issue. And I think your also right in saying that not all people hear things the same. And some people will put up with the less then great audio this radio currently has. This radio cost a lot less then my IC-W2A did when it came out ($730.00). So I'm not complaining about the price at all. The features of that radio don't hold a candle to the FT3D. But please, give me great audio. WOW, did I just say all that? Thank for the video and all the other comments.
I’m less impressed the more time I spend with it. Audio wasn’t really a surprise for me though. I can’t tell the difference between 2D & 3D there. If anything, I’d say the 3D is better.
I'm still so torn, because I'd want APRS and because one other person in my normal network has Fusion in the form of the D70. D70 doesn't have APRS. Anytone has APRS, but it's DMR which is a different system and there's all the talk of needing Code Plugs and harder ad-hoc programming.
In my experience the best handhelds for aprs is in the following order best first. Kenwood th74. Ft3d and the anytone The new one. I have not even heard of anyone getting it working yet. Watch some TH-cam and see what other people think. It’s not on my list yet.
@@digitalanaloguehamradio I have the FT3 and am quite enjoying playing with APRS. The Kenwood is a lot more expensive (especially as I got the FT3 second hand!). The Anytone still looks interesting as a big battery beaconing device but at the moment the Yaesu system looks good to explore. A few in our radio club have Fusion so we'll have to do some testing.
I don't understand why Yaesu doesn't address the audio quality in these radios. My FT2D has the worst audio of any HT I have ever used. I hoped they would fix it in the FT3D but I guess not. If it weren't for all the features in the radio that I do use I would get rid of it.
@@digitalanaloguehamradio - I've yet to see any of the big 3 make any change in response to user feedback. IMO, Icom's the worst of the bunch in that respect. Stupid-loud cooling fans on VHF/UHF radios that come on every key press - regardless of how hot/cool the radio may be or how low the TX power may be set. Regardless of thousands of users howling about this issue... They just don't care. A user boycott would get their attention - but once a review appears that a rig's good, the sheep run to buy regardless.
Thanks Brian for the comment. You are right I have since bought another one. The audio issue only becomes apparent if you have got something like the FT 70 which is half the price and sounds a lot better. If you have only got the one you wouldn’t notice.
Bluetooth sounds like rubbish through Yaesu’s own Bluetooth earpiece, recorded audio sound like crap (it’s a 16 kHz wav), Yaesu’s case doesn’t fit it properly, and covers the mic, and hangs over the top of the radio, and the display cutout doesn’t match the display properly. I’d stick with the FT2D if I knew the upgrade wasn’t worth it.., actually the FT2D is better in some ways.
Hi there!... Thanks for a great video!... I've just ordered a shiny beautiful FT3DE (UK) but still haven't passed my Foundation Licence... (a few more weeks...) Can I still turn it on as a listen-only device?... Can you bypass / enter a temporary call-sign?... In advance, thank you very much for your time. 73
You will love the radio it's awesome. After selling this one I went ahead and bought another one because it's is good. But it's only fair to keep it up and let people know about the audio quality which is acceptable. You should be able to listen to stuff fine. I can't stop you from putting in a random made up call sign. But be aware that they can block your IP number if you transmitted by accident or caused unintentional interference. Good luck getting your licence my friend
I need 12 handsets and was gonna get these FT30's but now am having serious second thoughts cuz of the sound quality; after all, sound is like the main thing with a radio.
DAH. I'm having second thoughts, I may get the handsets only with ear phones. What changed my mind ? I heard that the Kenwood is like a precision instrument and does not carry well for everyday. The radios I need are for everyday and outdoors. I guess the speaker is just a back-up now or for indoor use. Got me thinking did that, what if Radio manufacturers took the view that Apple did with its 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, and removed the speaker all together or gave it minimum priority ? I wonder how small the handsets would be ? Interesting thought.
@@luciousbrun5437 I think the ft70 is fantastic rugged reliable easy to use. But get a couple of batteries and ignore the battery indicator because you only have two key up twice and it comes on
DAH. Yeah thanks for that. I have to conclude that you are most likely right and the speaker may be poor quality, but it may not too. The thing is I need gps enabled hand-helds and the offering of quality raidos with gps is small. I hear what u r saying about the other radios sounding louder and with more bass, but you can still hear the Yaesu and tbf it does sound more life-like than the other radio speakers. The way the sound comes out of those other speakers is not the way humans actually speak, the yaesu is far more life-like.
My ancient VX1 is awful sounding, extremely toppy, it can subjectively make a signal sound noisier than it really is. The Anytone 878 is a nice radio but IMHO DMR does not sound great at all, battery life is excellent though, and display is very clear. Funny what we regard as progress though, my ancient Icom IC32 does not have "features" like wide fm and medium wave AM but it does do full duplex, including crossband repeat. Sadly the last time I went into a ham shop intending to buy a VX7R (on the way back from a job, and I was bored) I ended up buying an FT817 instead. Good that the dealer accepted a return, always good to try before you buy though.
g0fvt Yes well it was just a suggestion to people try one first before you commit. I was on the understanding that the codec for DMR is the same as C4 FM it is just in a different container. Thanks for watching
2E0UKH Digital Analogue Ham , I know that a few of the digital modes do use the same codec. Having used a PC to recover DMR audio it sounds no better than the radio itself. Sorry, I know this is off topic to your “tinny” speaker.
2E0UKH Digital Analogue Ham , to be honest I don’t know, certainly DMR seems to have some.timing and synch issues with slots. I have enjoyed it as a distraction, but was very late to digital voice, never felt the closed standards systems fitted with the hobby.
I bought the FT3DR and the radio cost $ 350.00 but the using the APRS Your are invisible I set up the APRS and the GPS and can not see my call on APRS FI map the another thing when you scroll down the menu you will hear a static static noise and I check the squelch and still got the static noise I check on eham review and some others had the static problem , is the worst APRS and GPS radio I feel I got have of a radio the only thing is good for C4FM WIREX I sold my KENWOOD TH D74 A and I’m going to buy it again the FT3DR feel like a cheap Chinese radio Kenwood feel a commercial radio but you have to have both radio to notice the difference
I’m less impressed the more time I spend with it. Audio wasn’t really a surprise for me though. I can’t tell the difference between 2D & 3D there. If anything, I’d say the 3D is better.
I have had my FT3D for 4 days now and the more I use it the more I like it.
The audio can be greatly improved by opening up the DCin and 3.5mm rubber port protection. It becomes fuller and louder. It also has more base.
I loved the radio and the scanner is super fast, but the audio was the worst I have ever heard out of a Yaesu.
I compared the audio with the FT70D and I don't know why it doesn't sound even better.
The speaker to my cell phones which is are tiny speakers and the Samsung and Apple cell phones sound great. What were they thinking when they made such a great radio with sound that just doesn't sound great.
I bought the radio from HRO and I had it for about 10 days and I loved the touch screen and everything about it, BUT the audio annoyed me. I called up HRO and said I don't want to complain, but I just can't stand how it sounds.
HRO was very nice and said they would give me a full refund with no restocking fees.
I suggested to HRO to compare the audio to the FT70 and an Anytone D878 and even a cheap cell phone with tiny speakers. I am hoping that Yaesu comes out with another version with great audio.
Fred Feddersen spot on
Wow.... big decision friend! Send back a radio with so many cool features. I love my FT3D! Sound is ok..... with rubber flaps lifted.... a lot better. The enemy of good is perfection.
Yes good comments here I went back and bought another one a month later a lovely radio the same as the previous one but it's awesome
I had 2 ft70s, one from the states and a uk version . Both had really bad battery life and ended up selling them both . I used to love the Yaesu brand but in last 3 or 4 years they have gone down the pan . I currently use a Anytone 878 plus and the audio quality and battery life are outstanding. I have got rid of radios in the past because of thin tinny audio and know what you mean . DMR seems to be leading the way in digital communications in the ham world at the moment . Fusion is a good system let down by poor equipment in my opinion.....
How easy would the Anytone be for APRS use? Can if run an APRS smart beacon in a second channel while out hiking? That would be my main use - APRS on 144.800 (UK) and RAYNET on the other VFO on whatever 2m frequency they're using (or 145.500 if out on a SOTA activation wanting to listen to and eventually call CQ).
Only ic ib52
Opening one/both of the rubber side gaskets improves the audio significantly. Just don't drop it in the loo while open!!!
Yes headphones would make it better and you could use a handheld microphone. But it makes the portability of it awkward. Thanks for commenting
The problem with all of these HTs is that there is no truly good audio from ANY of them. I have the 878 as well and can speak to the differences. The 878 sounds ‘better’, true. But it’s still not great. For great voices, at reference audio levels, with no compromises, you’ll need something in the range of a 6” driver, a few watts to power it and in an enclosure that adds up to a comfortable 250Hz-2KHz in response. And if you want to capture the ranges of sibilance, you need something that extends even higher. Bluetooth gets it close (but introduces its own issues). Really, the best audio you’ll get from any HT is from the 3.5mm headphone output. You need a decent IEM that fully seals off the ear canal and has an 8-12mm driver. That’s generalized. But that’s where to start. Then (and only then) will you truly be able to hear everything coming over the airwaves.
Excellent information thank you. I didn’t really want to do this video but I did as an honest opinion. And lots of people agree with me look in the comments. Incidentally I actually bought another one because it is a fantastic radio. It’s just annoying when it’s not sounding as good as my FT70 which is half the price.
Waterproofing will always affect the audio qualities
The 3D units I’ve heard on America-Link sound very muffled. With the Bluetooth headsets, they sound even worse. I’ll stick with my Anytone 878 and Yaesu 70D.
I was just about to order one for myself yesterday, and then I read all the reviews on the poor receive audio quality. That is the reason I use mostly professional grade radios. I have many Motorola radios that I use for the hobby. They have great audio, but of course I can't do C4FM on a XTS5000. There is no excuse in my book for poor receive audio quality in a radio. When SMT came along, things got smaller. OK, now use that extra space for a good speaker, etc. So now I wait to see if a firmware update will correct this issue. And I think your also right in saying that not all people hear things the same. And some people will put up with the less then great audio this radio currently has. This radio cost a lot less then my IC-W2A did when it came out ($730.00). So I'm not complaining
about the price at all. The features of that radio don't hold a candle to the FT3D. But please, give me great audio. WOW, did I just say all that? Thank for the video and all the other comments.
Can't you just plug headphones into it?
I too feel slightly butthurt because it won't connect to my Ford transit
I’m less impressed the more time I spend with it. Audio wasn’t really a surprise for me though. I can’t tell the difference between 2D & 3D there. If anything, I’d say the 3D is better.
Thanks for your comments I like to hear both sides people that like it and people that do not. Thanks for watching
Mine has very good audio sound. Wont comment to my car either since my car tries to download a phone book and wont get past that.
Sounds fine to me, Its a hand held radio not a Hi-Fi. Its all all about the bass no treble.
Nothing wrong with the sound. It is a fantastic radio an i just ordered a second one.
Thanks for the comment I sold it but I got another one haha
@@digitalanaloguehamradio That comment is worthy of a note up at the top. Or a pin.
I'm still so torn, because I'd want APRS and because one other person in my normal network has Fusion in the form of the D70. D70 doesn't have APRS. Anytone has APRS, but it's DMR which is a different system and there's all the talk of needing Code Plugs and harder ad-hoc programming.
In my experience the best handhelds for aprs is in the following order best first. Kenwood th74. Ft3d and the anytone The new one. I have not even heard of anyone getting it working yet. Watch some TH-cam and see what other people think. It’s not on my list yet.
@@digitalanaloguehamradio I have the FT3 and am quite enjoying playing with APRS. The Kenwood is a lot more expensive (especially as I got the FT3 second hand!). The Anytone still looks interesting as a big battery beaconing device but at the moment the Yaesu system looks good to explore.
A few in our radio club have Fusion so we'll have to do some testing.
Apparently they sound much better when they are in the leatherette protector case
I don't understand why Yaesu doesn't address the audio quality in these radios. My FT2D has the worst audio of any HT I have ever used. I hoped they would fix it in the FT3D but I guess not. If it weren't for all the features in the radio that I do use I would get rid of it.
km4giy Exactly and that is why I am making the video I will happily remove the video if they fix the audio issues thanks
@@digitalanaloguehamradio - I've yet to see any of the big 3 make any change in response to user feedback. IMO, Icom's the worst of the bunch in that respect. Stupid-loud cooling fans on VHF/UHF radios that come on every key press - regardless of how hot/cool the radio may be or how low the TX power may be set. Regardless of thousands of users howling about this issue... They just don't care. A user boycott would get their attention - but once a review appears that a rig's good, the sheep run to buy regardless.
Yes I think I summed it up with your impressions. Fantastic features poor audio
There is a mod for the fan, change it.
I like this radio ive had it for 2 week..no complaints yet,i think the audio is fine imo,i graduated up from Baofeng lol 73
Thanks Brian for the comment. You are right I have since bought another one. The audio issue only becomes apparent if you have got something like the FT 70 which is half the price and sounds a lot better. If you have only got the one you wouldn’t notice.
I will get the Kenwood DH74. Heard a comparison with the FT2 which is not great and it sounded better than the FT3. Looks like a great radio though.
Bluetooth sounds like rubbish through Yaesu’s own Bluetooth earpiece, recorded audio sound like crap (it’s a 16 kHz wav), Yaesu’s case doesn’t fit it properly, and covers the mic, and hangs over the top of the radio, and the display cutout doesn’t match the display properly. I’d stick with the FT2D if I knew the upgrade wasn’t worth it.., actually the FT2D is better in some ways.
Hi there!... Thanks for a great video!... I've just ordered a shiny beautiful FT3DE (UK) but still haven't passed my Foundation Licence... (a few more weeks...) Can I still turn it on as a listen-only device?... Can you bypass / enter a temporary call-sign?... In advance, thank you very much for your time. 73
You will love the radio it's awesome. After selling this one I went ahead and bought another one because it's is good. But it's only fair to keep it up and let people know about the audio quality which is acceptable. You should be able to listen to stuff fine. I can't stop you from putting in a random made up call sign. But be aware that they can block your IP number if you transmitted by accident or caused unintentional interference. Good luck getting your licence my friend
@@digitalanaloguehamradio Thank you... 👍🏻 Well... perhaps a lot safer to be patient and not turn anything on... (NOT my style! 🤣)
@@EssexCountyPhoto switch it on and have a brain around in FM mode. It has quite a wide coverage so you can hear aircraft and stuff
@@digitalanaloguehamradio ...I'm still learning my way around a Uniden UBC-125XLT scanner... Ham radio is quite a step up... can't wait! 🥳
I'm wondering if you got a bad unit. mine sounds great, better than my 2d, worth every penny.
Leo Metcalfe It is better than FT2. But not as good as FT70. If you only had this one radio you would think it was fine until you hear the other ones
Digital Analogue Ham I bought the FT3DR and it sound better using a Bluetooth speaker but the APRS , GPS is junk I will buy the KENWOOD TH D74A AGAIN
My Bluetooth earphones connected to FT3D straight away!
I need 12 handsets and was gonna get these FT30's but now am having serious second thoughts cuz of the sound quality; after all, sound is like the main thing with a radio.
Look in the comments on my video I am not the only one that says this
DAH. I'm having second thoughts, I may get the handsets only with ear phones.
What changed my mind ? I heard that the Kenwood is like a precision instrument and does not carry well for everyday. The radios I need are for everyday and outdoors.
I guess the speaker is just a back-up now or for indoor use.
Got me thinking did that, what if Radio manufacturers took the view that Apple did with its 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, and removed the speaker all together or gave it minimum priority ? I wonder how small the handsets would be ? Interesting thought.
@@luciousbrun5437 I think the ft70 is fantastic rugged reliable easy to use. But get a couple of batteries and ignore the battery indicator because you only have two key up twice and it comes on
This will help you make your mind up
th-cam.com/video/wsutZRMg-K0/w-d-xo.html
DAH. Yeah thanks for that. I have to conclude that you are most likely right and the speaker may be poor quality, but it may not too.
The thing is I need gps enabled hand-helds and the offering of quality raidos with gps is small.
I hear what u r saying about the other radios sounding louder and with more bass, but you can still hear the Yaesu and tbf it does sound more life-like than the other radio speakers. The way the sound comes out of those other speakers is not the way humans actually speak, the yaesu is far more life-like.
My ancient VX1 is awful sounding, extremely toppy, it can subjectively make a signal sound noisier than it really is. The Anytone 878 is a nice radio but IMHO DMR does not sound great at all, battery life is excellent though, and display is very clear. Funny what we regard as progress though, my ancient Icom IC32 does not have "features" like wide fm and medium wave AM but it does do full duplex, including crossband repeat. Sadly the last time I went into a ham shop intending to buy a VX7R (on the way back from a job, and I was bored) I ended up buying an FT817 instead. Good that the dealer accepted a return, always good to try before you buy though.
g0fvt Yes well it was just a suggestion to people try one first before you commit. I was on the understanding that the codec for DMR is the same as C4 FM it is just in a different container. Thanks for watching
2E0UKH Digital Analogue Ham , I know that a few of the digital modes do use the same codec. Having used a PC to recover DMR audio it sounds no better than the radio itself. Sorry, I know this is off topic to your “tinny” speaker.
g0fvt no it’s interesting. I find ysf does not suffer as much from break up. This must be because there is no time slots maybe
2E0UKH Digital Analogue Ham , to be honest I don’t know, certainly DMR seems to have some.timing and synch issues with slots. I have enjoyed it as a distraction, but was very late to digital voice, never felt the closed standards systems fitted with the hobby.
I like mine.
My Unit also has an audio fault in both TX and RX im sending it back to be repaired and im very angry as it cost nearly £400
but i do like the features and the display
Did they repaired it or does it appeared to be more design related?
I bought the FT3DR and the radio cost $ 350.00 but the using the APRS Your are invisible I set up the APRS and the GPS and can not see my call on APRS FI map the another thing when you scroll down the menu you will hear a static static noise and I check the squelch and still got the static noise I check on eham review and some others had the static problem , is the worst APRS and GPS radio I feel I got have of a radio the only thing is good for C4FM WIREX I sold my KENWOOD TH D74 A and I’m going to buy it again the FT3DR feel like a cheap Chinese radio Kenwood feel a commercial radio but you have to have both radio to notice the difference
ALPHA1 wow I was just on the site looking to purchase one. Glad I ran into your review
Yes I did not match them to the 3D d r. I have got the Kenwood th d74 and you're right there is no comparison it is a beast
Is good for shortwave listen?
It works but it's am only. I would not buy it for this reason
going to say you sent it back no one on it dead like dmr G7GRU
Get a ft 70. Just like those dstar radios like the 91ad those 200mw speakers sucks
What a prima-donna.... English bloke, figures
I’m less impressed the more time I spend with it. Audio wasn’t really a surprise for me though. I can’t tell the difference between 2D & 3D there. If anything, I’d say the 3D is better.