XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

fdthird

I'm shocked at the prices you folks are being quoted to get the pieces you need to make the OEM "satellite ready" radios work.

We've owned Sirius stock for some time and I have friends who work for the company. I was under the impression that having the vehicle OEMs on board was going to be the key to satellite radio taking off....but not if you need to pay $400-$500 to get the vehicles Satellite Radio to work!

I helped my son install a Kenwood Sat Ready tuner in his 2001 Focus over the summer. All he needed to add was the tuner and antenna which cost under $100. I'm looking forward to putting one of the plug and plays into my Mustang in the spring and looking at costs of about $150 (even less if I get the current Sirius rebate). Those prices seem much more in line with a reasonable cost.

I think they need to take a page out of GM's book with On Star and give you a year of free service and a free or reasonably priced "upgrade". If Kenwood can sell a sat tuner for their radios for $50 why doe the OEMs charge so much?? In my opinion, very stupid and short sited.

dklanecky

I think that this is simply the MSRP of the until installed by the dealer to work with the manufacturers head unit directly and like everything else in a car dealers shop, is able to be negotiated as far as price.

You can go to the online parts dealers for any make and find someone who will discount the parts. As far as the installation, the dealer would be my last choice. One you have the parts, any descent car stero shop can do the install for less than 2 hours labor, start to finish. The kits all come with instructions and they installation is pretty straight forward.

As far as the sound quality difference between the FM modulated solutions sold by the mass market stores (Best Buy,Circuit City and the like)there is a definitely noticeable difference in sound quality as well as the factory integeration in the install process.

If you buy the FM modulated version, I guarantee you you'll wish for the direct digital connection once you hear the difference in sound quality.

stever

Satellite Radio: XM vs. Sirius

Steve, Host

satman1

After reading the original article, I had to take some of the article with a grain of salt.

I have owned, and thoroughly listened to, XM and Sirius for over 2 years. I find it interesting that the final paragraph states that XM doesn't take as much "chances" in the music as does Sirius. Did you guys actually LISTEN to XM and Sirius' music channels while you had the services for 60 days.....XM's playlists are clearly MUCH bigger than that of Sirius', and it shows on many channels.

In the Rock category, Sirius is the clear winner when it comes to traditional "classic rock", jam-bands and hair-bands, but XM clearly beats Sirius in nearly ALL other rock formats, especially in playlists...the nod should go to XM.

Rap/Hip-hop should of had a seperate category from R&B. You gave the Rap/Hip-hop sector a tie, when it is Sirius that has this genre better covered. With Shade, Eminem's uncencored rap channel, coupled with nearly all (except Wax) the other un-edited hip-hop channels, Sirius is the clear winner here.

Dance should of had it's own category. Both offer a decent range of dance, but Sirius covers the trance/techno sector a little better (albeit, with more repeats). Both XM and Sirius have a Disco channel.

I agree with the reviewers, for the most part, in the talk/news categories.

Sports is another thing entirely. If you're looking to get into satellite for sports coverage alone, you simply pick the service that has what you want (exclusive NFL, NHL = Sirius /// exclusive MLB, NASCAR = XM)....it doesn't make one "better" than the other. When it comes to just the sports talk sector, I believe that XM handles the job better, and has more of the stations people rely on.

And what about Classical and Jazz music? Both XM and Sirius have 3 outstanding classical channels. It is simply too hard to pick a clear winner here. For Jazz, the nod goes to XM. Real Jazz and Watercolors on XM just can't be beat. Both services have a dedicated Blues channel, and they're both excellent...no winner here.

Here's my conclusion:
 
a) If you're looking for exclusives like the NFL, NHL and a more "FM" feel to your music, then Sirius is your choice.

b) If you're looking for exclusives like the MLB, NASCAR and a much deeper playlist of music, then XM is your choice.

Kirstie_H

I don't really care about any of the sports, so my decision was purely on cost - XM was a few $$ cheaper per month, so that's what I got.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

mtngal

Interesting insight into the differences in content - I don't like rock, hip-hop, jazz, etc. so I couldn't offer an opinion on them at all.

The main reason I chose XM over Sirius was that XM was (at that time) the only one with local traffic. It was nice that it was also a bit cheaper (did enter into it a bit). So do I ever listen to the traffic report? Hardly ever - I'm listening to music - country, classical or swing (40's station) almost all the time. Sure beats commercial radio!

lobsenza

I got a much better deal on Sirius equipment than I did on XM. In addition (at the time) Sirius was commercial free on music and XM wasn't. I liked the $400 (now $500) life time (of the equipmemt) subscription cost. I chose a lifetime subscription for my primary unit and use monthly subscriptions for my other units. Sirius is $10 per month provided you buy a year at once (or something like that).

I have not had the opportunity to listen to XM extensively, so I can't comment on the programming differences.

Kirstie_H

That's great! I imagine these two companies will continue to run special deals; perhaps not at the same time, but special pricing on service or equipment will help make the difference for many undecideds.

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

joe166

The main reason I picked Sirius is because it was what fit into the back of my factory radio from Ford. I did not want anything outside the radio on the console to tempt people to slice my soft top on my T-Bird. I overpaid because I bought it from my dealer, but I have since found several sites on the internet that offer the module at substantial discounts. I had even bought equipment from one of them in the past. I blew about $150 by not being patient, but I often do that when it comes to my car.

fdthird

Hey...we all do that sometimes when we want something and want it right now!

My son loves his Sirius and I can't wait for my Christmas present to get installed in my Mustang!

jdconrad

I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE and want to have a satellite radio installed. My wife only wants one that fits in the dash. I don't want to lose the existing radio because the DVD sound can be heard from the car speakers. This is great when you have young grandchildren who can't use the headphones. Anyone know of a make that will work or what's my best option.

joe166

Go to the Crutchfield site and I bet you will find lots of radios that fit. Then maybe you should search for others that carry those radios so you can get the best possible deal. I am afraid that I know nothing specifically about Toyotas, but if they offered a factory adapter or radio, you can probably find it on the internet lots cheaper than at the dealer.

vcheng

...VAISTECH.COM for the appropriate adapters for interfacing satellite radios and video inputs to the factory systems in Toyota Siennas.

jdconrad

Went to the VAISTECH web site. Found exactly what I am looking for. My local car audio store is going to check it out and order & install it for me. I hope it is available and will fit my Sienna minivan.

 

Thanks a lot for the info.

 

Dave

vcheng

Please let us know here how it all works out for you and observations.

jdconrad

Still waiting on my audio shop to find out if it will work. Sent an email to VAISTECH and received a reply that this is only for Lexus and will not work in a Toyota Sienna. I would have thought that the radios in the two vehicles would be compatible with each other but apparently not. Does anyone know if the radios in the Toyota & Lexus are basically the same????

bed

The best thing about Satellite is music without commercials and once you find channels you like you don't have to worry about loosing them when traveling out of your local area. I received XM with my new GMC truck and never intended to continue the service after the free 90 day trial. Wrong! I love it! All music, no dumb jocks and advertisements. Best $10 a month I spend. I can't comment on if XM is better or worse then Sirrus, my impression is that for the everyday listener, they are pretty much the same but Sirrus is 50% higher ($10 vs $15 a month). Anyway, I am sold. Sold enough to invest in XM. (Sirrus finances are little unsettled for me). I think if the price stays the same and the advertising stays away from the music channels, XM will do extremely well short & long term. I think the strongest selling point is the organized music without commercials. Everything else is fluff. Good article. Edmunds provides a great service.

fish8

I know this is just nit picking, but Sirius is $12.99 per month, not $15.00. XM is $9.99.

 

I am also trying to decide how I want to spend my Christmas gift card: XM or Sirius.

mtngal

I usually carpool to work in a vehicle with XM. Today we had to drive in separate cars, so I drove the one without XM (my Roady has been living at work attached to a co-worker's Bose Wave radio). Yuck! Regular radio has gotten even worse than I remember it, I think. I think my co-workers are going to be deprived of my Roady tomorrow - I have to take the day off - because I'm not sure I want to drive home without it!

bed

I thought I read in one of the articles about the stock of both companies that Sirius is 14.99. Just checked website and your right, it is $12.95 vs XM 9.99. But hey, 3 bucks is 3 bucks. Which one to buy? If you are into sports, depends on what sport you want covered. I like NASCAR (XM) but I prefer football (Sirius) to baseball (I'm still on strike) which XM has. I don't think the music choices are that much different from what I have read. Both have a wonderful selections. I like Country, Jazz, and most rock. There are several choices under each category. Comedy on XM is good too except when the person next to you is wondering why you are laughing while driving down the road. But they do give you more space though....

robr2

IMHO, I'd be more comfortable with XM being around longer. I just don't see how Sirius will be able to generate enough subscribers to cover their estimated $100 million annual cost just for Stern. They say it'll take 1 million listeners to cover the annual cost. As long as they're willing to pay $12.95 per month for at least 8 months.

lobsenza

Sirius will match the XM $10 per month pricing provided you pay for a block of time ahead of time.

dklanecky

XM maintains their pricing advantage. XM will also lower their monthly costs as well if you buy a block of time.

 

I'm not sure I would enjoy listening to a football game on the radio as much as a baseball game.

 

There are obviously are WAY more baseball games to listen to than football games, and on almost everyday of the week.

lobsenza

I chose Sirius because I got the equipment for free and purchased a lifetime subscription (of the equipment) for $400 for my main unit. I pay $7 per month for secondary units. I don't listen to sports, so that did not influence my decision.

tomekk

Does anybody know if Bose sound system in a 2001 Mazda Millenia S has aux input?

I’m thinking of getting satellite radio (Sirius) and would like to avoid going through FM modulator (I don’t believe the sound will be as good quality as through aux connection).

cabokev

Wanted t know if anyone had any advice on antennas or increasing signal strength down here in Cabo San Lucas, MX. It works, but it would be nicer to get a little more juice!

salgo

There is no additional premium pricing on SIRIUS as there is for XMSR. For example, if you want to listen to Sirius while you're surfing the net on any computer, there is not an additional charge whereas XM charges an additional monthly fee upwards of $5 for this service. XM also has various other premium channel charges whereas Sirius has already stated that Howard Stern for example will not require an additional 'premium'. This makes a huge difference.

erickpl

to my Wrangler. As much as I hyped the Alpine integrated unit, I purchased it and returned it. Not because of the XM feature, but because the 3 preamp outputs I had on my previous head unit (front/rear/sub) were shrunk to 2 (front/rear or front/sub). That was not going to work for me and how I wanted it hooked up.

 

SO... I got the Alpine CDA9827 unit and the XM Direct adapter that you can see on xmradio.com's website. Installation was VERY simple once I found locations for the 2 pieces. The Alpine adapter is under my airbag setup and above my glovebox. That was fun. Then I mounted the receiver on the passenger side up out of the way. The antenna is run along the passenger side and up through the padding of the roll cage and the antenna itself is finally mounted UNDER my soundbar cloth and under the soft top.

 

I have 2 layers of fabric to go through and I was STILL able to receive the Preview channel (1) through that AND my house. I think that will work just fine and you cannot even see the XM components unless you REALLY search for them.

 

Activation today and I'll be a happy camper!

 

-Paul

robr2

Currently the only things that XM charges a premium for are Opie and Anthony, Playboy, and internet access. The first 2 are things you would pay a premium for on cable/satelitte TV so it's not much different.

 

Stern was on Letterman the other night and I thought I heard him say that he was developing multiple premium channels for Sirius.

 

Since I wouldn't waste my cash on any of the above premium services, it doesn't matter to me. But in straight economic terms, I don't see how a free Stern alone is going to vault Sirius past XM. I realize that satellite radio works on an ad free concept, but I wonder how long it will be before Stern starts talking about the products he uses on air.

let1

I have a Sirius FM modulator unit and I also had problems with my hand held GPS being interfered by my Sirius, the guy from the GPS company had no clue that satellite radio could interference or is an issue, he told me that it probably was broken. Not wanting to go 2+weeks without my GPS I ended up buying an external antenna on ebay that is on my dashboard on my passenger side and have never had a problem since. You can still, if set up right move your GPS to additional cars when needed. Just a suggestion for a fix on the interference.

jplyman

I have an 04 A4 with the sympony II radio - Sat ready - I would like to be able to conect my roady 2 into my stereo system and be able to push the Sat button to access the roady 2 anybody of a suggestion?

 

Thanks

blane

XM Radio's basic cost is $9.99 per month, XM's 5-year plan is $8.33 per month. Sirius is $12.99 per month.

 

To listen to XM Radio Online while surfing the net on any computer, the additional monthly fee to a current subscriber is $3.99, not upwards of $5.

 

Of the total of about 130 channels available on XM Radio, there are only two "premium" channels. Playboy @ $2.99 per month, and High Voltage (Opie & Anthony) @ $1.99 per month. This makes absolutely NO difference to the vast majority of subscribers who have no interest in that, or Stern's, material. They won't be paying the premiums.

dklanecky

Your Audi maybe different but most manufacturer headunits that are SAT compatible require a specially engineered connection on the back of the head unit to enable the controls through the head unit.

 

For example, my Nissan Murano (03) with the BOSE system requires a Clarion XM tuner in order to direct (digitally) connect to the BOSE headunit. It also required a special cable to connect my XM tuner to the headunit.

 

When I installed mine in July 2003, the parts were only available from Nissan or Infifniti dealers at about $300 cost.

 

Since Audi and VW are sister companies like Nissan and Infiniti, you should check with both the parts departments at VW and Audi dealers to see what they have to say.

 

By the way, the direct digital connection is so far superior in sound quality and operational integeration that while it is more expensive, it is definitely worth it, IMO, especially compared to the FM modulated sound quality and extra tuner.

stanesq

Any way I can connect my new Honda Oddessey EX-L to XM using the AUM/XM ready button? What do I need to do?

 

I hear the FM modulated is crap so I guess thats not an option.

stever

Try the Honda Odyssey Owners-Audio & Video Ideas discussion too.

 

Steve, Host

inthenavy

Just got XM in a new car and absolutely love it! BTW, as I see you live in MD and I do also, I was wondering if you have any recommendations on car alarms or where to get it installed.

 

Thanks (I live in Southern MD)

pao

head over to www.xm411.com there is a help section there on installation....complete with all the connectors.....I use FM mod install on my explorer and works like a charm, have it factory installed in my malibu......

erickpl

so getting it connected w/o modulation should be fine.

 

BTW, the FM modulator works just fine and still has a very clear signal in my BMW's setup. My modulator is soldered to my antenna lead so it is essentially connected directly.

 

-Paul

greasykid1

Want XM for my 2001 MB E320 w/ Bose radio. How can I get XM direct? Prefer not to go the modulator route. Thanks

pao

do you have an aux input.....some MB have a 3.5 mm aux inputs in the glove compartment...you could connect thru there...there isnt an XM direct bundle for MB that I am aware of....checked here which has the most current hardware for XM

http://www.myradiostore.us/bundles/car/

stever

If you own SIRI, you know all about the rumor mill. Here's another:

 

Rumors Abound of Merger for XM and Sirius (Inside Line)

 

Steve, Host

phillybigeasy

Just thought I'd let you know about how Sirius defines "Lifetime". I thought that the lifetime fee of close to $500 would be worth it until the guy installing my unit told me that if the receiver breaks or gets stolen, I would need to purchase a new receiver AND lifetime subscription. I called up Sirius and they confirmed that was true - the "lifetime" refers only to the receiver not my lifetime. To me, that doesn't make sense, but that's "life"!

 

Regardless, I love Sirius (for the sports) and have not listened to the radio since I purchased.

lobsenza

You are correct about the lifetime subscription, it is the lifetime of the unit. I bought mine when they were $400. I used it for my home unit, not my car unit since i felt it will get banged around less. In addition, Audiovox will fix my unit if it breaks for $80. So, I thought it was worthwhile.

fish8

For a little more than $80 you could buy a brand new Sirius unit.

pao

fish..but you miss the point...if he replaces the unit..he loses his lifetime subscription to worth $400 and has to purchase a new since they are assigned to each unit...and not the user

jenswallows

does alpine know make a unit where I can run both. I am running xm thru my 7676 and using the orbit thru the aux in my alpine

erickpl

There is the XM integrated unit CDA9820XM. It is supposed to have the XM tuner built in. You MAY be able to add the Sirius module that plugs into the AiNet interface in the back and thereby get both, but I'm not at all sure if this is possible.

 

Just curious... why would you want both?

 

-Paul

uni1

Thinking of having satellite radio installed in my 2005 Maxima. Interested to hear other's experience. How does it work with the factory radio? It is intuitive? XM vs Sirius? Any advise, hints, comments?

dklanecky

Does your Maxima have a SAT button on the head unit? I have a 03 Nissan Murano that has a SAT button on the head unit.

I was able to add a cable to the back of the head unit to allow a direct digital input of SAT radio (XM in my case) so that it appears to the head unit as just anopther radio band. I get AM, FM and XM now and all the head unit controls including the sterring wheel audio controls switch everything.

The choice between XM and Sirius comes down to whose programing you prefer. They have slightly different offerings and like everything else, you'll find proponents for both sides.

jeffhoover

Here's my question: With all the airbags in new models these days (my '05 Subaru Outback has 6), is there any concern about aftermarket installs causing interference (mechanical, electrical or RF) with either airbag electronics or with the airbags themselves?

Subaru doesn't offer factory satellite, so I'm thinking about having it installed aftermarket. Because of Subaru's restrictive combination of AC and radio and lack of AUX or antenna connector, I'll have to go FM modulation. That's OK I had it in my last car. I just wonder if it's really safe, or if I should leave well enough alone.

Of course, when I contacted Subaru of America they gave the standard liability disclaimer that they don't recommend I do *anything* aftermarket to the car.