satellite radio (xm/sirius)

J

joflewbyu2

Senior Member
want to hear from others that have either xm or sirius? did you replace the headunit? if not, fm modulated? sound quality? better than cd?
 
I have XM radio in my escalade, it came stock. The sound quality is as good as CD. There is reception everywhere, it is well worth the money in my opinion.
 
I have the XM Skyfi and play it throught the tape deck. No sound quality issues, at least as good as a CD. PM me if you have questions about this particular XM unit.
 
joflewbyu2@aol. said:
want to hear from others that have either xm or sirius? did you replace the headunit? if not, fm modulated? sound quality? better than cd?
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I have a Sirius FM-modulated unit (the silver-face Kenwood model). Play volume is slightly less than normal stereo, but the lack of commercials makes up for it...don't listen to local channels much anymore. Put it in last year around this time, in my blue '01 Mustang, transferred it over when I got the MM. Circuit City did all the install work both times. Kinda scary to watch 'em work...they had to take the CF trim strip off the dash and the trim around the climate controls to run some of the wiring, but it all went back together well. Then they had to replace the controller, processor box, and the antenna (trying to figure out why it wasn't working) last summer. Since then it's worked almost flawlessly; the antenna's a little smaller and I lose reception under some of the really big overpasses (unless I go really fast!)

Before this I had a XM Pioneer FM-mod unit...for about 3 days. It never worked, and XM's people copped a 'tude when I tried to find out why it wasn't working. Took it back, got it removed, and went with Sirius, and haven't been disappointed with the service since. Definitely recommend Sirius. :up:
 
I bought a XM COMMANDER & a PIE cd changer port adapter for a direct connection. Haven't installed the XM commander yet because I decided to go with replacing the headunit that is sirius ready and a separate sirius tuner. Couldn't make up my mind so I now own both. anyone interested in the xm commander or the adater please e-mail me at joflewbyu2@aol.com . Soon to have satellite radio to enjoy on my 30 minute drive to work each day, not mention the 30 minute drive home - all without BS talk that has taken over the air waves.
 
I got an Audiovox FM modulator. The quality is pretty good. I got it when one of the retailers here had a sale. The whole shot ran me $150.00. Sirius had a $100.00 rebate. I got the Sirius because all of their stations are commercial free. XM has commercials on some of their stations. Overall I like the Sirius. Also, I got Sirius stock too.
 
I have Alpine XM tuner with a 9813 radio in my Tahoe and a factory job on the 03 SS. I like the XM and as of March 1 they will be 100% commercial free as well. The Sirius is less expensive to purchase initially but the subscription fee is more. For the type of music I listen to mainly rock, I think XM is better. :banana:
 
lgetz said:
I have Alpine XM tuner with a 9813 radio in my Tahoe and a factory job on the 03 SS. I like the XM and as of March 1 they will be 100% commercial free as well. The Sirius is less expensive to purchase initially but the subscription fee is more. For the type of music I listen to mainly rock, I think XM is better. :banana:
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I thought I heard that XM was going commercial free. I wonder if they will go up on subscription fees to offset the lack of commercials. I like the Sirius because I listen to mostly R&B and dance music (house music). I never liked it before but I find myself listening to more Rap now. I forgot to mention that music is uncut, uncensored on satellite radio.
 
I had an XM Commander installed yesterday. For the time being it is using a wired FM modulator. My stereo is stock besides the XM Commander. I feel that the sound quality is very close to CD quality.

When the originally installed the Commander they set the FM output level to the highest setting, 8. The sound quality wasn't very good. I backed it off to 6 and the sound is much better. The only side effect is that I have to turn up the radio a little more.

I think the XM Commander is a great unit. I think it looks like it belongs in the Marauder unlike some of the other units I have seen. I have it double stick taped to the dot matrix trim piece above the climate control and the single wire the unit requries goes right into the dash next to the climate control. It is a super clean install.

I just picked up a set of Pioneer 4 way 6x8's. I'll be installing them tomorrow morning. I anticipate that they'll greatly improve the sound.
 
bigslim said:
I got an Audiovox FM modulator. The quality is pretty good. I got it when one of the retailers here had a sale. The whole shot ran me $150.00. Sirius had a $100.00 rebate. I got the Sirius because all of their stations are commercial free. XM has commercials on some of their stations. Overall I like the Sirius. Also, I got Sirius stock too.
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Here are some pictures of my unit.
 

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bigslim said:
I thought I heard that XM was going commercial free. I wonder if they will go up on subscription fees to offset the lack of commercials. I like the Sirius because I listen to mostly R&B and dance music (house music). I never liked it before but I find myself listening to more Rap now. I forgot to mention that music is uncut, uncensored on satellite radio.
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No commercials, no rate hike and soon real time traffic reports in ~15 major US cities. They added a few more channels too.
 
Sat radios

XM,
Have the Ski-Fi, use it in the car,house,boombox,work.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
FM modulator is damn good quality. Even throught the stock head.
I am looking at getting the Visteon head unit that is in my wifes' Mountaineer as it takes an XM module directly, and is an indash 6CD changer, so it would be an all-in-one solution, and would maintain the look of the dash.
 
I have had XM for a year and a half, I have three receivers, home, car, boat. I get Sirius on Hertz rental cars when I travel, so I have listened to both a lot. Sirius reception is nowhere near as good as XM, it cuts out when you pass big trees, etc. XM does not cut out until you are obstructed for five seconds or so. It even works in underpasses in downtown Atlanta. I like classic rock, both XM and Sirius have excellent stations, both are completely commercial free. Sirius has a smaller playlist, after three days or so I have heard the same songs more than once. I think XM is better in every respect. XM has about 3X the subscribers, they are less likely to fold. Either way, if they go under you are stuck with useless equipment. I would get either one, they are both great but IMHO XM is better. XM has Nascar, Sirius will carry NFL next year.
 
Alternative XM/Sirius Mount for MM

bigslim said:
Here are some pictures of my unit.
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BigSlim,

You might look at ProClipUSA's mount for the MM, part no. 852157. No drilling, and it comes right off without marring the car. Perfect for your satellite radio head (or phone, or PDA, or GPS, or whatever).

www.proclipusa.com

Mark
 
I don't care for anything except CD. I make my own CDs with the songs I like and want to hear. With satellite radio you still get about 1 in every 4 songs that you might enjoy. Just my opinion of satellite though.
 
I've got the fm modulated sirius unit by kenwood. Like it so much I equipped three of my vehicles with it (the base unit is transferable). Highly recommend it.
 
N40GL said:
BigSlim,

You might look at ProClipUSA's mount for the MM, part no. 852157. No drilling, and it comes right off without marring the car. Perfect for your satellite radio head (or phone, or PDA, or GPS, or whatever).

www.proclipusa.com

Mark
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My unit is put with velcro. It is a neat install. No damage to the dash. Thank you for the info. I may get one for the PT.
 
I use that same bracket for my GPS (thanks to Sarge) it's fairly sturdy. It bobs a bit over bumps, but I'm sure my GPS is quite a bit heavier than a satillite radio unit. Shouldn't really be a problem.

The install is fairly easy, it took me all of 20 minutes. Mostly because I had to fight with the dash clips.

Tom
 
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