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Can't Decide - XM or Sirius.

V

vpr

Senior member
Hello,

I've decided that I want to go ahead and jump on the Satellite Radio bandwagon, and i've been doing some research as to which service to go with... Problem is i've researched myself into a state of not being able to decide. I was hoping you fine people would be able to help me out. I've searched the boards here and read through all the previous threads, but I want a more updated opinion 🙂

I'm not really one for sports or talk radio...I don't even watch sports to begin with. I mostly will be listening to music, Rock/Alternative/Blues/Some Metal and the girl likes HipHop (GAG!), Since both services now offer Commercial Free music that advantage Sirius had is now null. I've listened to samples on both websites, and I liked Octane on Sirius and Squizz on XM, although XM is pre-recorded - so it's hard to do a true comparrison here.

I've herd that XM sounds better, but people have said Sirius has updated their codecs and they both sound just about the same? Is this true?

XM offers Playboy Radio - What exactly do they play on this? Is it just people calling in and/or erotic stories? If so, then not really interested.

Most people seem to have a hatred of 'Clear Channel' which has a stake in XM - I personally don't know anything about this company, so I don't quite understand why people dislike them? Could someone enlighten me on this topic - Many thanks 🙂

I think that pretty much sums that up?

I plan on buying a new head unit for my car that has built in satellite radio. I drive a 2000 Mercury Cougar if one needs to know, and i've looked at Crutchfield and found both XM and Sirius both have HU's that would fit. XM seems to have better manufactures, especially w/ Alpine, but again that's not factual, just subjective.

Monthly rate really doesn't botter me, price won't suade me over from one side or another, unless that's the only thing left that can help me decide.

So as you can probably tell from my endless rambling, I just need some help in deciding.

If you know some sites that would have more information and/or reviews from users/editors that could help with the information then that would be greatly appricated.

Thank You,
Vpr
 
Q: What does satellite radio sound like?

A: Think of the difference in fidelity between AM and FM ? it's at least that big a jump from FM to satellite radio! Most people listening for the first time are startled by the clarity, the strong bass response, and the lack of static (not to mention the amazing variety of programming).

Crutchfield

-Vpr
 
Originally posted by: vpr
Q: What does satellite radio sound like?

A: Think of the difference in fidelity between AM and FM ? it's at least that big a jump from FM to satellite radio! Most people listening for the first time are startled by the clarity, the strong bass response, and the lack of static (not to mention the amazing variety of programming).

Crutchfield

-Vpr
Click to expand...

That's cool and all, but I still can't see paying for radio, if I want CD quality, I'll burn a CD.
 
We have XM radio at my work and let me warn you, if you like rock music, do not get it. It has NO classic rock station, the closest you'll get is 'Deep Tracks' which plays, well, deep tracks on albums, or 'Top Tracks' which you'll hear the occassional Zeppelin or Hendrix song. These two stations are also loaded with crap, so you have to sit through it to get to the good stuff. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, etc. are rarely heard except on stations where you have to sit through even worse crap (think No Doubt, Blink 182, Simple Plan).

I don't know anything about Sirius, but I really don't understand the sattelite radio concept. Pay more money for worse stations than FM radio offers? Why not just but a boombox? If you need more song selection just get one with an MP3 player.
 
I've never used either sirius or XM but if I were to get one. I would get the cheaper one, which I believe is XM, right?
 
I had Sirius in a rental car and thought it was decent, had some cool classic rockish stations if i remember correctly.
 
Sirius has a nice all around selection of music. Personally I did go in to get the sports so Sirius is better on that end although I understand you're not interested in sports. It has a real nice selection insofar as music is concerned and has a decent selection of all the music that you're interested in. Frankly I feel it's a pretty even split for the two companies in terms of who has the better receivers. Yes XM has Alpine but Alpine is working on a Sirius unit. If you don't mind waiting you could get an Alpine that is Sirius ready. Otherwise the best route to go with them currently for head units is Kenwood. Kenwood does make some pretty decent head units IMHO.
 
From what I can gather (and from listening to one of my employee's Sirius), Sirius sounds better and has cheaper hardware, but more expensive monthly fees. They seem to cater to popular music more and repeat their playlist more often.

XM is more expensive upfront, but cheaper monthly, doesn't sound as good (compression technology), but has a far better playlist. I'm thinking about XM mainly because they carry the CNN feed and I would love to have that.
 
I have XM and highly recommend it. But you can't go wrong with either.

Make your choice by the programming you prefer.
 
For XM discussion: http://www.xmfan.com

For Sirius discussion: http://www.siriusbackstage.com

It comes down to a few main differences..

XM has much deeper playlists. They will be playing a lot more songs by the artists, including B side tracks and other not very well known songs, as well as the hits. XM also has Nascar.

Sirius has a more hits based music approach. They will be playing all songs that you know and recognize, but because of this many people complain that the tracks repeat themselves way too much. This is a common complain by everyone over at Sirius Backstage. Sirius has exclusive rights to all the major sports teams including the NFL. You also get to listen to Sirius over the internet for free with your subscription. XM does not offer this.

So it depends.. do you want really deep playlists with new and non-mainstream songs, or, do you want to hear the songs you know and recognize? If it comes down to sports, do you want Nascar or the NFL and other pro league sports?
 
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: vpr
Q: What does satellite radio sound like?

A: Think of the difference in fidelity between AM and FM ? it's at least that big a jump from FM to satellite radio! Most people listening for the first time are startled by the clarity, the strong bass response, and the lack of static (not to mention the amazing variety of programming).

Crutchfield

-Vpr
Click to expand...

That's cool and all, but I still can't see paying for radio, if I want CD quality, I'll burn a CD.
Click to expand...


thats good in theory, but burning cds all the time is a big pain. and digging for cds while in car is not kewl. having a constantly changing selection with multiple channels/music types at a flick of a button is much more convenient.
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: vpr
Q: What does satellite radio sound like?

A: Think of the difference in fidelity between AM and FM ? it's at least that big a jump from FM to satellite radio! Most people listening for the first time are startled by the clarity, the strong bass response, and the lack of static (not to mention the amazing variety of programming).

Crutchfield

-Vpr
Click to expand...

That's cool and all, but I still can't see paying for radio, if I want CD quality, I'll burn a CD.
Click to expand...


thats good in theory, but burning cds all the time is a big pain. and digging for cds while in car is not kewl. having a constantly changing selection with multiple channels/music types at a flick of a button is much more convenient.
Click to expand...

Now see, this is what I thought before I got an MP3 headunit. Got a nice JVC organic display model, and you can fit, say, 7 albums on one disc at really high quality. Really nulifies the downside of having to scrounge through discs, plus changing artists is much easier that way.

 
Originally posted by: aircooled
I have XM and highly recommend it. But you can't go wrong with either.

Make your choice by the programming you prefer.
Click to expand...

Does your damn white cat prefer that one too? 😀
 
Originally posted by: Dacalo
Originally posted by: aircooled
I have XM and highly recommend it. But you can't go wrong with either.

Make your choice by the programming you prefer.
Click to expand...

Does your damn white cat prefer that one too? 😀
Click to expand...
lol!
 
I have Sirius and I really like it. The reception is excellent and it sounds near CD quality. It also has a very wide variety of stations. That's about all I'm concrete on. I just got tired of hearing commercials one day and went into Car Toys and bought it. At the time XM had commercials so it was an automatic no.

Eric
 
Does either XM or Sirius have like a channel where they have movie reviews of the current movies in theaters?
 
Man, to all the people that say they can distinguish the sonic differences between satellite radio and CD, YOU ARE ALL FCUKING DELUSIONAL!

They both have 24 bit DAC, some of your CD players only have a 1 bit DAC, so quit kidding yourselves, and it's a digital feed. Get over it.

Between your noisy ass engine and road noise, and some one say almost CD quality, STFU. Get a better head unit and EQ the shiet to your liking.


I used to like XM, but lately, the uncensored stations just keep dwindling down, and Sirius has improve their line up. I really don't have a favorite as of now, but Sirius has given me lots of interuption in service. Take your pick.
 
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