Satellite radio (xm vs sirius)?

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AcingTeam
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Satellite radio (xm vs sirius)?

Post by AcingTeam »

Hey guys,

Well from many of the reviews that I've seen, everyone is saying that sirius is WAY better than XM. Can anyone confirm this?
Also, can anyone link me to a good deal (receiver+service)?
Also, how does it work (does the unit needs to be hooked up to antenna? Cigarette lighter?)

Thanks a lot

p.s. OZ and Kinky are welcome to help :lol: since they have it
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kinkyllama
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Post by kinkyllama »

I havnt heard XM much but from what ive heard from my friend is they seam to have ads or something.. like maybe not commercials but they sneak them in there.

Personally i love serius b ut i dont know how it compares.



I should have a pic somewhere on car domain that shows the little antenna.. its on the roof just above the rearview mirror.. small little thing.
www.KinkyMotorsports.com
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-Coil-overs, sway bars, 13" brakes, LSD, 235mm tires, the works
-Turbo in the works
01' Lanos Sport
-Undergoing 2.0 swap w/ lots of performance bits
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TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
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Post by TheGreatAndPowerfulOz »

My antenna is on the roof in the center just above the glass of the hatchback.

Here are the main differences that I have seen:

XM has more variety of music available, but also has more advertising and more talking between the music on more of the stations.
They are trying to compete with Sirius by trying to reduce the amount of time not used for music.
They have some cool looking tuners, but the buttons are hard or impossible to see and use at night unless you have memorized the button locations. Some of the tuners have hard to press buttons, too.

Sirius has better compression software for better sound quality, less talking, and no commercials on ANY of the music stations.
There are a few commercials on the talk and news stations, but they have to fill the gaps with something because the news and talk stations don't go non stop.
Sirius has some cool looking tuners that are easy to know what the buttons are just by touch, and all the units (that I have seen) have backlit buttons and also an easier to read screen; the information is orginized in a more user friendly mannor.

Cliff
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AcingTeam
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Post by AcingTeam »

Some more questions:

1) Does a receiver unit require the antenna or is it just recommended to have one?
2) How do most of them hook up (cigarette lighter)?
3) Do you have to position the unit close to the windshield, or could you put it by the shifter?
4) I hear that many people are complaining about the FM mod (I don't have a cassette player), what do you guys say about that?

THANKS A LOT!!! :D
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Post by CHNDROSE »

I do not have Sirius in my car, but I did have it at home for a little bit via my sat provider. The sound quality was great.

Good luck with everything.
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TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
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Post by TheGreatAndPowerfulOz »

AcingTeam wrote:Some more questions:

1) Does a receiver unit require the antenna or is it just recommended to have one?
2) How do most of them hook up (cigarette lighter)?
3) Do you have to position the unit close to the windshield, or could you put it by the shifter?
4) I hear that many people are complaining about the FM mod (I don't have a cassette player), what do you guys say about that?

THANKS A LOT!!! :D
1) An antenna IS required. The signal does not come from the satellite in space by magic. :)

2) They plug into the cigarette lighter for power. An FM modulator units are usually used, like what I have because my stereo does not have aux inputs. The power cord doubles as the antenna for the FM modulator so the signal is inside your car. You can also buy a CD player with the tuner controlls built in so you just change station/functions directly on the CD player itself. For better FM modulation sound, there is an antenna wire adapter that connects directly into and inline with the FM antenna cable.

3) The unit can be positioned anywhere you want, even in uncomfortable, dark stinky places. LOL

4) The FM modulator is only a problem is a strong local station is broadcasting on the station you are trying to use. The newer units have at least 10 stations to choose from, and there is usually always at least 2 or 3 unused stations you can use.

Cliff
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AcingTeam
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Post by AcingTeam »

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz wrote:
AcingTeam wrote:Some more questions:

1) Does a receiver unit require the antenna or is it just recommended to have one?
2) How do most of them hook up (cigarette lighter)?
3) Do you have to position the unit close to the windshield, or could you put it by the shifter?
4) I hear that many people are complaining about the FM mod (I don't have a cassette player), what do you guys say about that?

THANKS A LOT!!! :D
1) An antenna IS required. The signal does not come from the satellite in space by magic. :)

2) They plug into the cigarette lighter for power. An FM modulator units are usually used, like what I have because my stereo does not have aux inputs. The power cord doubles as the antenna for the FM modulator so the signal is inside your car. You can also buy a CD player with the tuner controlls built in so you just change station/functions directly on the CD player itself. For better FM modulation sound, there is an antenna wire adapter that connects directly into and inline with the FM antenna cable.

3) The unit can be positioned anywhere you want, even in uncomfortable, dark stinky places. LOL

4) The FM modulator is only a problem is a strong local station is broadcasting on the station you are trying to use. The newer units have at least 10 stations to choose from, and there is usually always at least 2 or 3 unused stations you can use.

Cliff
What would I do without you OZ? LOL

Thanks again :lol:
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Post by DomWoo »

here is the sad part...

in the business side of the world..

XM is killing Sirius.. sirus stock went from $3 to $9 than back down to 3 and is slowly going down from there

i personally like Sirius better, the one part i dont like is how they say... Your listening to ### on sirius radio, after every song.. well duhh.. i think i know what channel i turned it too.. and it says it right there on the unit
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Post by TheGreatAndPowerfulOz »

WooHoo wrote: i personally like Sirius better, the one part i dont like is how they say... Your listening to ### on sirius radio, after every song.. well duhh.. i think i know what channel i turned it too.. and it says it right there on the unit
Not everyone uses satellite radio in their car or home.
Many companies use the business package to supply music to their stores or offices. People can hear what they are listening to without ever seeing the radio in front of them.

Don't worry, XM plugs the station name often, too.


Cliff
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Post by kinkyllama »

Yeah serius seams to advertise themselfs alot....
www.KinkyMotorsports.com
04' Dropped Foreno
-Coil-overs, sway bars, 13" brakes, LSD, 235mm tires, the works
-Turbo in the works
01' Lanos Sport
-Undergoing 2.0 swap w/ lots of performance bits
http://www.cardomain.com/id/kinkyllama
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also

Post by damian007vk »

sirius also has exclusive contract with nfl, howard stern, and eminem. Also has badass rock channels called octane, hard attack, and alt nation, and of course it also has the hip hop and jazz and pop, etc. However it is $3.00 more a month than XM. Also something that might help u decide would be: check if your radio headunit or the one u plan to get is xm or sirius ready...this means the station info is displayed via the main radio and not via an additional receiver that you would have to mount. Then you would just need like an adaptor for it depending on the brand of your headunit.
kinkyllama
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Post by kinkyllama »

Also if your headunit isnt already "ready" you'll be paying more money for the adapter.


I like the octane ch too.. and for hip-hop they have soem very good stations. I havnt really listened to much else... oh and good old 60s music to sing along on long road trips :roll:
www.KinkyMotorsports.com
04' Dropped Foreno
-Coil-overs, sway bars, 13" brakes, LSD, 235mm tires, the works
-Turbo in the works
01' Lanos Sport
-Undergoing 2.0 swap w/ lots of performance bits
http://www.cardomain.com/id/kinkyllama
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AcingTeam
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Post by AcingTeam »

Nah, my sony reciever isn't "ready" for sattellite radio...
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TheGreatAndPowerfulOz
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Post by TheGreatAndPowerfulOz »

Here is the Sirius ready head unit I want to buy this summer:

Kenwood DDX7015

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It is touch screen with a built in DVD player, CD/MP3 and available speaking GPS navigation with trip planner and travel management to compensate for detours. I don't think I would want to get the TV tuner.

The Sirius radio I have now will go in the other car and also be taken in the house.

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Post by CHNDROSE »

How much is that unit with GPS? It would look great in my Reno. And my birthday is coming up. (hint, hint. LOL).

Seriously, that is sweet looking.

Rose
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