XM Versus Sirius
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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XM Versus Sirius
So I 'm thinking about one of these services that will probably be going into my DD '99 Silverado Z71. The local FM radio stations seem to play more and more commercials and the "personalities" want to talk more than they play music. I also like a wide variety of music formats.
Which one is better: XM or Sirius? And why?? And which radio model is the best in terms of ease of operation and features?
Can you move the radio between cars on a single account? I would probably add an antenna to my 02 coupe at some point.
I don't know if the Silverado has an aux input for direct wiring ( the current sysem has a factory CD player in the center console) but I believe my 02 does (I don't have the CD changer). Does sound quality improve with hardwiring as opposed to the FM transmitter??
TIA for any insight and opinions.
Which one is better: XM or Sirius? And why?? And which radio model is the best in terms of ease of operation and features?
Can you move the radio between cars on a single account? I would probably add an antenna to my 02 coupe at some point.
I don't know if the Silverado has an aux input for direct wiring ( the current sysem has a factory CD player in the center console) but I believe my 02 does (I don't have the CD changer). Does sound quality improve with hardwiring as opposed to the FM transmitter??
TIA for any insight and opinions.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
I have not used XM, so I have no perspective there.
However, I have Sirius, and it's nice! I would recommend checking it out. If you are in the car a lot, you will love it! I know I did!!! I am not in the car as much, but I still enjoy it immensely.
A few thoughts:
1) My Sirius is hardwired to the head unit (Alpine 7998). If you do not have a sat ready head unit, you will need to get one of the external tuners. The SQ is excellent this way.
2) From my observation, both are just as easy to use as a regular FM tuner - hell, it's more like changing channels on your TV box. It's easy.
3) Overall, sat radio does not sound as nice as FM. So if you play it through the FM head, I doubt you will loose much.
4) Vehicle portability is key, here... that's why they make these portable units... to go from car to car, car to home, home to office.
Goto both companies websites, compare channels, sign up for the free three deal and make a decision based upon empirical data, not someone else's.
However, I have Sirius, and it's nice! I would recommend checking it out. If you are in the car a lot, you will love it! I know I did!!! I am not in the car as much, but I still enjoy it immensely.
A few thoughts:
1) My Sirius is hardwired to the head unit (Alpine 7998). If you do not have a sat ready head unit, you will need to get one of the external tuners. The SQ is excellent this way.
2) From my observation, both are just as easy to use as a regular FM tuner - hell, it's more like changing channels on your TV box. It's easy.
3) Overall, sat radio does not sound as nice as FM. So if you play it through the FM head, I doubt you will loose much.
4) Vehicle portability is key, here... that's why they make these portable units... to go from car to car, car to home, home to office.
Goto both companies websites, compare channels, sign up for the free three deal and make a decision based upon empirical data, not someone else's.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 488
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From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Sirius Family
We have eight Sirius units in my family (dad, brother, wife, etc) and we are all very happy with the product. As mentioned earlier, you may want to do a station to station comparison to see which one supports your tastes better.
I kinda liken them to Beta versus VHS; they both do the same thing but in this case I hope they both live.
VETSTYL
I kinda liken them to Beta versus VHS; they both do the same thing but in this case I hope they both live.
VETSTYL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I sold both for a while, and listened to both at work daily I ended up going XM, but I think its more what you listen to. If you are big on classic rock go sirius for sure
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Queen Anne Maryland
i have sirius in the vette,garage and my truck and i love it !!!! i just bought my wife a new CTS and it came with a 90 day trial of XM, IT SUCKS in comparison !!! sirius is the way to go !!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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Just finished with the 3 day freebie online trial with XM and overall, I liked the selections but there was still too much DJ talk especially on the 50's and 60's rock selection.
This weeking I'm going to sign up for the Sirius 3 day free trial to see how that compares in terms of music selections and any DJ banter.
This weeking I'm going to sign up for the Sirius 3 day free trial to see how that compares in terms of music selections and any DJ banter.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have had XM for around 5 years now. I have it in my garage and in my work car right now. I am getting ready to add it to my new truck and sell the work car. I cannot comment on the Sirius.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 105
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From: Cary North Carolina
Sirius is a much better choice! I had XM in my C6 and just installed the Sirius converter. The music programing is far better than XM. I truly feel the sound quality is also better with Sirius!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
The source sound quality on both is the same, crappy quality MP3. However quality definitely varies by hardware. The original SkyFi I have in my daily driver (hooked up via AUX) sounds much better than the GM XM box in my C6 and the system in the C6 is FAR superior to the one in my DD on CD.
The choice comes down to content, really. Sign up for the trials and take a listen to both. Whichever style of presentation for music channels (Sirius is a bit more commercial radio in their style) you prefer along with the other content (sports, Howard, etc) is the way you should go.
The choice comes down to content, really. Sign up for the trials and take a listen to both. Whichever style of presentation for music channels (Sirius is a bit more commercial radio in their style) you prefer along with the other content (sports, Howard, etc) is the way you should go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 935
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From: Melbourne Florida
Main idea is selection. I prefer the XM for the dance, tecno, and house selection. I have a cradle in my car and house. Either way no commercials and good content better than our local radio.
Jeff
Jeff
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 254
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From: Evansville IN
I've had XM for 3 years, but recently switched to Sirius. It all depends what you listen to.
I switched to Sirius because they have a better rock selection in classic, alternative, hard.
Also switched because they are getting NASCAR coverage in 07 and XM is losing it. We normally driving back from a lake on raceday and not in the range of stations that cover races.
I switched to Sirius because they have a better rock selection in classic, alternative, hard.
Also switched because they are getting NASCAR coverage in 07 and XM is losing it. We normally driving back from a lake on raceday and not in the range of stations that cover races.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by Gearhead65
I've had XM for 3 years, but recently switched to Sirius. It all depends what you listen to.
I switched to Sirius because they have a better rock selection in classic, alternative, hard.
Also switched because they are getting NASCAR coverage in 07 and XM is losing it. We normally driving back from a lake on raceday and not in the range of stations that cover races.
I switched to Sirius because they have a better rock selection in classic, alternative, hard.
Also switched because they are getting NASCAR coverage in 07 and XM is losing it. We normally driving back from a lake on raceday and not in the range of stations that cover races.
That channel became the Claire show and I stopped listening to it for anything except Larry Mac's show and the races if I happened to be in the car at that time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I got Sirius mainly for Howard, but that's my preference
try to listen to both and decide for yourself.
sports wise, about the only thing XM is going to have is baseball, Sirius has everything else!
try to listen to both and decide for yourself.
sports wise, about the only thing XM is going to have is baseball, Sirius has everything else!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
After listening to Sirius for a day, I think it's better than XM. A wider variety of music types that I like and the sound seems a bit better. Listening for the most part has been using headphones connected to a port on my PC.
So if I go with Sirius, is there any big differences between the receivers?
So if I go with Sirius, is there any big differences between the receivers?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
nope. from what I can tell, it's all about features.
I do believe that any RF based system will be a little weaker in SQ than a direct tie-in. As stated above, I have an Alpine 7998 with the Sirius Alpine interface. It sounds very good.
A few observations about sat radio:
1) The SQ varies from channel to channel. Talk sounds more like AM than FM.
2) The SQ also varies from music channel to music channel. Sometimes, Radio Margaritaville sounds better and at other times, sounds worse.
3) I have noticed that very heavy fog will kill the signal, but rain doesn't.
4) In some remote areas, don't be surprised if the signal fails on the wrong side of the building!
These are all temporary and rather nebulous problems. I don't really consider them show stoppers.... just something to be aware of.
I do believe that any RF based system will be a little weaker in SQ than a direct tie-in. As stated above, I have an Alpine 7998 with the Sirius Alpine interface. It sounds very good.
A few observations about sat radio:
1) The SQ varies from channel to channel. Talk sounds more like AM than FM.
2) The SQ also varies from music channel to music channel. Sometimes, Radio Margaritaville sounds better and at other times, sounds worse.
3) I have noticed that very heavy fog will kill the signal, but rain doesn't.
4) In some remote areas, don't be surprised if the signal fails on the wrong side of the building!
These are all temporary and rather nebulous problems. I don't really consider them show stoppers.... just something to be aware of.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
From what I have read on the Sirius website, they use repeaters on the ground for areas where satellite coverage is weak due to mountains, tall buildings and such. Didn't say what parts of the country that they use repeaters but at least it sounds like Sirius is trying to provide as wide a coverage as possible.
Rain not killing reception is a good thing here We just broke a record for November rainfall (15+ inches) that went back to 1953 
If it can handle that, I'm happy. 
Rain not killing reception is a good thing here
We just broke a record for November rainfall (15+ inches) that went back to 1953 If it can handle that, I'm happy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
From what I have read on the Sirius website, they use repeaters on the ground for areas where satellite coverage is weak due to mountains, tall buildings and such. Didn't say what parts of the country that they use repeaters but at least it sounds like Sirius is trying to provide as wide a coverage as possible.
XM does the same thing.
