Xm

[BostonAmy]

Hey all

So tomorrows the big day. I am going to check out the CX-7's and possibly be driving home in one. I think I will want to get XM radio installed instead of the dealer installed sirius. Does anyone have XM and which do you prefer?

 

[milhouse19]

I have both Sirius (in the car) and XM (at home, though DirecTV). They are pretty comparable in most respects - they each cover a lot of the same genres of music. I would say the biggest difference is that XM plays more obscure tracks while Sirius is prone to repeat songs a lot more. This holds true even on mainstream channels.

As for sports coverage, there is a huge difference. MLB is only on XM. NFL is only on Sirius.

I *believe* both services have free online trials so you can hear them beofer you make a selection. And there are websites that can tell you every song played on every station to get an idea of what is being played and how often.

 

[CX7_Scott]

If I can use this thread as an outlet to vent about Sirius:

I am unimpressed with the offering/performance of the Sirius package in my CX7. Not only am I less than impressed with the actual content within certain stations (they repeat playlists just as frequently as regular FM) but the actual performance of the unit/service itself is lacking.

In my region (New England/Northeast area) the signal is easily disturbed by driving under bridges, around certain hilly areas - even heavy tree cover can disrupt the signal. I am told that the antenna placement on my vehicle is the reccommended placement and is "at its best".

Another issue (unsure if it's related to signal, but I tend to doubt it) is the fidelity, or lack thereof. When switching from Sirius radio to FM... the FM signal is Louder, better separation, less compressed and less degraded. I was under the (false?) impression that satellite radio was supposed to be an IMPROVEMENT over FM signal(s)...(???).

When my 6-month "freebie" trial ends, I do not plan on becoming a "subscriber".

Just thought I'd share my experience.

 

[milhouse19]

In my region (New England/Northeast area) the signal is easily disturbed by driving under bridges, around certain hilly areas - even heavy tree cover can disrupt the signal.

Thats not a Sirius problem. Any satellite service will have issues when you don't have LOS to the satellite. Sirius, and I assume XM, have terrestrial transmitters which fix this problem in major cities, as those transmit using RF. But unless you are close to a transmitter, you will have issues with LOS.

Another issue (unsure if it's related to signal, but I tend to doubt it) is the fidelity, or lack thereof. When switching from Sirius radio to FM... the FM signal is Louder, better separation, less compressed and less degraded. I was under the (false?) impression that satellite radio was supposed to be an IMPROVEMENT over FM signal(s)...(???).

The audio quality of satellite radio is not as good as FM. Its is compressed while FM is not (at least in the way you mean). Unfortunately, as they add more stations and do not increase the number of satellites, this problem will get worse. I have heard that XM uses less compression than Sirius, but I beleive that you can hear compression on either service.

Satellite is better than FM because of diverse programming, lack of commercials, uncensored content, and the ability to get sportcasts for a local team anywhere in the country. Despite any claims to the contrary, its NOT for the audio quality.

 

[CX7_Scott]

To make a slight change to your list; Sirius is FAR from commercial-free.

 

[wicked]

To make a slight change to your list; Sirius is FAR from commercial-free.

\


it is commercial free on music channels,but news/comedy and such isn't

I have had siruis for over a year now,and it's a huge improvment over FM,and unlike XM and FM it's completely uncensored.that's a big deal to me.(I hate chopped up songs)

...........BUT,THEY DO REPEAT THE **** OUT OF SONGS!!!!!!!
then theres the issue of having the only punk station split with rap(thats BS!)
and if you like hard rock your stuck with older rock like AC/DC,Van halen,Zeplin,and such or alt. like newwer popy stuff,or straight DEATH METAL like canibal corpse,slayer.
there are no happy mediums,or mix type stuff.

the blue coller channel is ******* FUNNY!

 

[CXRabbit]

Satellite cutting out when you lose site of the sky is normal. Tunnels, some bridges, heavy tree-cover can all do it. I don't have too much of a problem other than longer overpasses or tunnels.

I did NOT get Sirius Satellite radio for the music...you can hear the compression and a good FM station sounds better... but commercial-free music makes it's a nice convenience from time to time, I really got it for the news, and talk... Though I'd LOVE the MLB lineup that XM offers.

Anyone have experience with HD radio?

 

[jmhumr]

I will also throw in my 2-cents about my disappointment with SIRIUS. My biggest gripes:

1. The signal will cut-out/skip even when driving on an open road at least 2-3 times a day while I drive around.

2. The music station selection is weak. They pretty much have ONE station for each particular genre. If I'm paying for radio, I expect to get multiple choices for each genre. Otherwise, what's the point?

3. The commercial-free slogan is a joke. Only SIRIUS-owned stations are commercial-free, and they STILL throw in SIRIUS promo pitches.

4. The music station playlists are horribly small. It sure seems like stations such as "Alternative Nation" play the same 15 songs on loop all day long.

 

[kailua]

I have sirius and with all the channels, I still only listen to their 80's station and a station called first wave, which is essentially all 80's new wave rock. (Yeah, I'm an 80's child, have Miami Vice season one and two on DVD) (rockon)

I had XM previously and they also have an 80's station and new wave rock station called "Fred" which is what I listened to when I had it.

A funny bit of trivial pursuit, the actual Fred Sneider from B-52's fame hosts a show on Sirius channel first wave, but XM has a new wave station named "Fred". I wonder if they did that to poke at sirius?

Anyways, quality of reception and selection, in my opinion is about the same. They also cost the same to suscribe to also.

I guess for you Howard Stern fans, he's on sirius, however I really only listened to his station a couple times.

 

[shrexster]

I'm reading some pretty bad experiences here about the Sirius tuner that comes with the CX-7. I didn't get the factory one for this very same reason. However, I wanted to get satellite and I see on the Sirius site that they have a SIR-PNR2

I think the hardware on the sound system is Pioneer (I got the Tech pkg), so wouldn't this tuner work with the CX-7 as well?

Anyone tried this or already have info on it?

 

[vbbuilt01]

XM and SIRIUS

I've both installed, XM in my Hyundai and SIRIUS in my CX-7.

1. Both will cutout in tunnels, in the city where tall buildings are prevalent, and under heavy tree canopy. Additionally, I've had cutouts on both services periodically on the open road. Not sure why that happens, it's irritating.

2. Channel selection on both are diverse. On SIRIUS, there are 7 - 8 channels dedicated to rock, alone, so I'm not sure where some posters seem to think there aren't enough channels to suit their needs. As for repeating songs, I've noticed that as well, but if that occurs I simply change channels. (shady) .

3. XM is NOT totally commercial free. Quote from their website: "as well as four music channels programmed by Clear Channel Communications carry a limited amount of commercials". SIRIUS is similar. I'm a bit disappointed that commercials have crept in, but considering that their subscriber base subscription fees aren't covering expenses, it's understandable. If I'm bothered by the commercials, I'll change channels.

Later, Vince.

 

[cruzdreamer]

Not impressed with Sirius. Will not get a subscription after free trial. I get cut out several times a day but it's not the Sirius...it happens on CD's too! May need a new audio system?

 

[vbbuilt01]

Not impressed with Sirius. Will not get a subscription after free trial. I get cut out several times a day but it's not the Sirius...it happens on CD's too! May need a new audio system?

Question for ya: If you're not going to buy a subscription then what are you going to do with the SIRIUS components? Did you buy the Mazda after market kit (the MSRP for the component, without installation, is $380) or did SIRIUS come factory installed? Either way, will you leave the components or have it uninstalled?

Vince.

 

[cruzdreamer]

vbbuilt01...Leave the components in the car for now. The Sirius just happened to be installed on the car I wanted......got such a good deal I don't mind.

 

[tomweston]

xm

Hey all

So tomorrows the big day. I am going to check out the CX-7's and possibly be driving home in one. I think I will want to get XM radio installed instead of the dealer installed sirius. Does anyone have XM and which do you prefer?

i think xm is better for my tastes, but i did not want anyone but the dealer to intall sat radio, so this time i have sirius, installed by dealer 599.99
and i am happy with the sirius, music wise they are very similar, but sports wise sirius has more, if baseball is your thing go to xm but again, i dont like anyone but dealer to install that kind of stuff, (warranty issues and such)

 

[vbbuilt01]

vbbuilt01...Leave the components in the car for now. The Sirius just happened to be installed on the car I wanted......got such a good deal I don't mind.

Ah, was thinking you spent some money for that component and it would have been a waste not to renew the subscription.

Guess you have the opportunity to explore other options. (cheers2)

Take care, Vince.

 

[meanstreak]

Hey all

So tomorrows the big day. I am going to check out the CX-7's and possibly be driving home in one. I think I will want to get XM radio installed instead of the dealer installed sirius. Does anyone have XM and which do you prefer?

I have both and I like XM programming better but so far Sirus seems to cut out less. Unfortuantely the CX7 only offers Sirius so XM will have to be installed through through your FM or the have head unit changed out.

 

[BostonAmy]

To give an update, I love my XM radio! As you can tell, I obviously live in Boston and one of my main concerns was signal strength especially in the city. I haven't experienced one sign of static or crackle break up during any station. I've had the unit for a week now and it's been great. My XM unit that I purchased (xpress) came with the "sure connect" antenna, additionally I purchased an FM modulator that was hard wired to my current antenna. Not sure maybe that has something to do with the great signal? No complaints here!

 

[CXRabbit]

Nah, cities are usually better for reception with satellite because they put repeaters throughout the city to ensure a signal. A place like Boston is gonna be the type of city with good coverage.

I have Sirius now, but I'm considering going for XM (if I decide to swap out my radio)... I'm a huge baseball fan, so it's really the way to go.

 

[mikey1981]

well i wouldnt swap just yet, they are rumored to merge very soon