Sony ICF 506 Radio review

Sony ICF-506

Design & Build
The ICF-506 sports a medium-sized, paperback-book form factor (roughly 8¾” × 5” × 2½”) with a fold-down carrying handle, analog tuning dial, and simple controls. It’s lightweight and portable—ideal for desk or on-the-go use.

Power & Battery
You’ve got dual power options:
• 3 × AA batteries, offering approximately 35 hours of playtime on both FM and AM.
• Or plug it into the wall—no “wall wart” adapters needed, thanks to its built-in AC power supply.
In real-world testing, users have reported up to 85 hours of battery life at moderate volume, far exceeding the stated spec.

Tuning Behavior & Performance
While displaying analog tuning, the ICF-506 actually uses a DSP-like automatic locking mechanism. When you tune close to a station, a tune LED lights up and “locks in”—no smooth, fine tuning as you might expect.This can feel odd to analog tuning purists, but it helps you know once you’re optimally tuned in.

Reception & Sound Quality
• AM/FM reception is notably strong for its class—excellent sensitivity and selectivity on both bands.
• Sound: Clear and natural on FM; slightly muffled on AM, though acceptable to many users.
• Users have praised its ability to lock onto FM stations without interference from adjacent channels.