Satellite Radio: Anybody Have it?

[Coach_McGuirk]

And why did you pick your particular provider? The equipment is priced nearly identically, the best I can figure, and the monthly is about the same. I keep looking at both playlists, and I just can't make up my mind.

[Iceblink]

And why did you pick your particular provider? The equipment is priced nearly identically, the best I can figure, and the monthly is about the same. I keep looking at both playlists, and I just can't make up my mind.

There's a thread about this in the tech forum...

I have XM. I researched, like you did, re: the two choices. They're pretty similar. I went with XM for a couple reasons. But every time one does something, the other picks it up.

I am not sure how valid these are any more.

Anyway... I heard the comedy stations were better on XM. I listen to those a lot... particularly the uncensored one.

I heard that the sports stations are better for Sirius. I follow one sport that barely gets any press. It's not an issue for me.

I wanted Air America. They had America Left at the time. They added America Right. Sirius has both now too.

Better punk station on XM. Sirius's punk station has hip-hop too. I'd rather have straight punk/ska than hard rock, hiphop and punk. Fungus 53 on XM is pretty good. Nice, old stuff.

When I purchased it earlier this year... Sirius was $12.99/mo. XM was $9.99. I guess that was deterring many, as Sirius is now running a special.

Sirius has the top 40. XM has the top 20. I think the top 20 on XM is the top 20 requests from listeners though... not billboard or something. Dont know where they get the top 40 from on Sirius.

XM has a 40s station. That's nice on occasion... way before my time, but it's cool. Sirius starts with 50s.

In truth... I kinda need to know what you're into, and then I could tell you exactly what's on XM.

I'd recommend satellite radio to anyone though. It's changed my life! I commute an hour each way, and it's made it a complete and utter breeze. I love it.

I think XM's electronic stations are better too. The System is really quite good.

Also, XM has better international stations, I think. Sirius has World, Mexican, Caribbean dance, and Latin pop.

XM has all of those, but it also has straight African and straight reggae. Nice.

Anyway, tell me what you're into. I'll tell you whether XM will suit you.

Oh... added one more thing. I think the Sky-fi from delphi is better looking than the stuff from Sirius.

[ndp21f]

I researched also, and ended up choosing XM. I know someone who has Sirius though, and he likes it. I think either way you can't go wrong. I chose XM at the time, because:

1. The didn't crop songs. Not sure if Sirius does this, but at least last year they would play shorter versions or fade out songs on certain stations.

2. XM had a deeper playlist. Sirius was said to be better for people who liked the hits, and XM for those who wanted a little more variety.

Like the poster above me said, it would help to know what type of music you like. At least then I could tell you what the stations are like that play that type of music.

If you want more detailed analysis, I would sign up and post the same question at the following sites:

www.xmfan.com

www.xm411.com

www.siriusbackstage.com

Or, better yet, just search or scroll a few pages down on those boards. People are asking the same question all of the time.

By the way, the best part of either provider is that the music channels on both are commercial free. So, there is always plenty of music on, and very very little dj chatter.

[MikeLastort2]

I bought XM mainly because I like Alpine car systems. I have this

Alpine CDA-9820XM (http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/item_info?p_item_name=CDA-9820XM&p_category=150&p_subcategory=&p_main=10)

I bought it because it's AM/FM/XM and CD all in one unit.

[Iceblink]

I bought XM mainly because I like Alpine car systems. I have this

Alpine CDA-9820XM (http://iweb.alpine-usa.com/pls/admn/item_info?p_item_name=CDA-9820XM&p_category=150&p_subcategory=&p_main=10)

I bought it because it's AM/FM/XM and CD all in one unit.

Dat sounds 'spensive!

Hmm... clicked the link... 350 isn't so bad.

I gots ta have my cassette though!

Does it have an auxilliary thingie for my ipod? I didn't see it, but I didn't look hard.

[MikeLastort2]

Dat sounds 'spensive!

Hmm... clicked the link... 350 isn't so bad.

I gots ta have my cassette though!

Does it have an auxilliary thingie for my ipod? I didn't see it, but I didn't look hard.Sorry, I dunno about cassette or IPod. It does have aux input that will accept standard RCA connections, so if the IPod does RCA out, it should work.

It's the best car system I've ever owned.

[nancyb]

I won a 1 year subscription to XM sattelite, with a home boom box. Unfortunately, I get really lousy reception in the house and have found it frustrating, yet tantalizing to listen to. I like what I hear on XMU, their college radio format staion, and X-Country, which is new, alt, old timey and whatever the DJ feels like playing music. And I mean whatever. I'm considering buying a car adaptor, but worry about buying into a subscrption service. I really don't spend that much time in the car and, since I can't get decent reception at home, I just don't think it's worth it.

[Coach_McGuirk]

There's a thread about this in the tech forum...

I have XM. I researched, like you did, re: the two choices. They're pretty similar. I went with XM for a couple reasons. But every time one does something, the other picks it up.

I am not sure how valid these are any more.

Anyway... I heard the comedy stations were better on XM. I listen to those a lot... particularly the uncensored one.

I heard that the sports stations are better for Sirius. I follow one sport that barely gets any press. It's not an issue for me.

I wanted Air America. They had America Left at the time. They added America Right. Sirius has both now too.

Better punk station on XM. Sirius's punk station has hip-hop too. I'd rather have straight punk/ska than hard rock, hiphop and punk. Fungus 53 on XM is pretty good. Nice, old stuff.

When I purchased it earlier this year... Sirius was $12.99/mo. XM was $9.99. I guess that was deterring many, as Sirius is now running a special.

Sirius has the top 40. XM has the top 20. I think the top 20 on XM is the top 20 requests from listeners though... not billboard or something. Dont know where they get the top 40 from on Sirius.

XM has a 40s station. That's nice on occasion... way before my time, but it's cool. Sirius starts with 50s.

In truth... I kinda need to know what you're into, and then I could tell you exactly what's on XM.

I'd recommend satellite radio to anyone though. It's changed my life! I commute an hour each way, and it's made it a complete and utter breeze. I love it.

I think XM's electronic stations are better too. The System is really quite good.

Also, XM has better international stations, I think. Sirius has World, Mexican, Caribbean dance, and Latin pop.

XM has all of those, but it also has straight African and straight reggae. Nice.

Anyway, tell me what you're into. I'll tell you whether XM will suit you.

Oh... added one more thing. I think the Sky-fi from delphi is better looking than the stuff from Sirius.
What I'd be listening to for the most part is the talk and news programming, along with sports. Sirius has the NHL, which would be great, but it seems to me that XM has a better selection of talk and news.

Also, how is the XM lineup for Jazz? I'm particularly ineterested in classic jazz from around 1950 - 1970. Bop and the like.

I was sort of leaning towards XM right now because the "Roady" is $119 and it includes a free car kit plus an FM modulator, and their is a free Home kit available by mail.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Well, my decision got made for me. Here is a link to get the Delphi Roady for only $49 (includes car kit). You do have to agree to subscribe for at least 6 months, and you have to pay for 3 months in advance, but I just saved myself $70 (on the $119 I'd pay at Best Buy or Circuit City).

Here's the link: https://xmradio.metrononline.com/xmpromotion/accesslogin.aspx

Once you're there, type in this access code: xmdphxm04

That's all you need to do. I got my Roady ordered and with the 3 months it only set me back $79. Not a bad deal at all, especially since, if I hate it, I won't be out a huge chunk of change on the equipment.

[shwantzme]

What I'd be listening to for the most part is the talk and news programming, along with sports. Sirius has the NHL, which would be great, but it seems to me that XM has a better selection of talk and news.

Also, how is the XM lineup for Jazz? I'm particularly ineterested in classic jazz from around 1950 - 1970. Bop and the like.

I was sort of leaning towards XM right now because the "Roady" is $119 and it includes a free car kit plus an FM modulator, and their is a free Home kit available by mail.

Sirius offers a $400 lifetime subscription.

They also have a "jam band" stream. That is what convinced me to go with them.

I can also take my receiver out of the car and connect it to my stereo in the house.

I wish they had Jim Rome's show.