It's time for another "XM or Sirius?" thread

[obie]

At Footix's suggestion...

OK, so I've decided that I want satellite radio. It's bonus season for my company, and I'm getting one, and I want something fun so sat radio is it. Here's what I really want:

-- A portable device that I can use in my auxiliary jack in my car (the one that normally gets my iPod), or in a receiver at home. Something like this (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006G02YW/qid=1122427638/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-3456081-6412968?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846). But it has to be able to work in an apartment building with concrete walls. Remote control and iPod-style portability not necessary.

-- The best possible channels. For regular radio that means WFMU-style alternative, NPR, and jazz. I'd love to pick up a world music channel or two, too. I don't care at all about talk radio or Stern or O&A. NFL (which is only on Sirius, I know) would be nice but not necessary.

So what should I get, and why? Which service, which equipment?

[Claymore]

I actually worked on the XM ground-based network of repeaters. XM has two distinct advantages from an infrastructure perspective: they have two satellites (I think Sirius has only one) and a much larger repeater network, so their coverage/signal is much better, and they're in a better position to expand their channel offerings because of their bandwidth advantage.

Other than that it comes down to personal preference. Sirius has attracted some big names recently (Howard Stern), but I think XM has better overall programming.

[Footix]

Sirius' inclusion of BBC 1 soon is what will probably seal the deal for me.

[CHICO13]

We sell sirius at work and I own XM so I've heard them both. I think the programming is better on XM. My 2 cents...

[obie]

Looking through the programming last night, I'm leaning toward Sirius - they both cover the basics (decent free-form, PRI, BBC World Service), but EPL, NFL, and Underground Garage are the big wins for me on Sirius. But the coverage issue that Claymore brings up concerns me. I had to give up Directv when we moved into our apartment because our patio faces north, not south. What's the deal on the antennas? Does it matter the direction in which they face?

[obie]

We sell sirius at work and I own XM so I've heard them both. I think the programming is better on XM. My 2 cents...More detail, please -- is it that the channel selection is better, or the actual stuff played is better?

[writered21]

With as many EPL and other matches that you can listen to online, that didn't hook me in for Sirius. I liked XM's programming better.

XM also has the World Cup in 2006, and on August 15, is debuting an all-Spanish sports station. Not sure what programming they will have, but surely some soccer is involved.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/2005/04/xm_world_cup_so.html

[writered21]

More detail, please -- is it that the channel selection is better, or the actual stuff played is better?

I think the stuff played is better, especially since I have a wide range of listening interests (classic rock, bluegrass, blues, R&B, 80s). Channels 40-54 (the rock bank) on XM are money.

I would recommend getting the free trial of both XM and Sirius (it's free for like 3 days) and listening to them both.

[peruytu]

Howard Stern on Serius and now the World Cup on XM??
I wish they would just merge!

[obie]

XM also has the World Cup in 2006Thanks for that info, it makes things very, very hard to decide. Damn.

[I am Joe²]

I've been listening to XM online for the past 8 months, mainly for O&A. My g/f recently got me the MiFi for my birthday. The MiFI is the portable unit, it's simply amazing. If you want a portable unit, you can't beat the Mifi. Sirius' portable unit is a joke, much like most of their equipment. XM will be releasing it's newest version of the Mifi around the holidays. As you can see I recommend XM, if you have any questions fire away.

[CHICO13]

I think the stuff played is better, especially since I have a wide range of listening interests (classic rock, bluegrass, blues, R&B, 80s). Channels 40-54 (the rock bank) on XM are money.

I would recommend getting the free trial of both XM and Sirius (it's free for like 3 days) and listening to them both.
Good advise from Ed, but I do think the music is better programmed at XM. Tom Petty does a show every monday morning at 10:00 called "Buried Treasures" on the Deep Tracks channel 40 which is great. They also do in studio live shows like Rush, Mark Knopfler, Loggins and Messina, etc...

A real eclectic mix. I'm just impressed more with XM's music programming.

[Labdarugo]

With as many EPL and other matches that you can listen to online, that didn't hook me in for Sirius. I liked XM's programming better.

XM also has the World Cup in 2006, and on August 15, is debuting an all-Spanish sports station. Not sure what programming they will have, but surely some soccer is involved.

http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/2005/04/xm_world_cup_so.html


Unless you're planning on LISTENING to the World Cup instead of WATCHING it, I can't see how this would influence your decision ...

[CHICO13]

Unless you're planning on LISTENING to the World Cup instead of WATCHING it, I can't see how this would influence your decision ...
Not out of the realm. I couldn't watch the US v Portugal game live so 5 of us were huddled around my buddies car at work while Andres Cantor did the play by play. I still remember the goosebumps when he yelled "Se Acabo...USA, USA, USA, USA!!! :)

[obie]

Unless you're planning on LISTENING to the World Cup instead of WATCHING it, I can't see how this would influence your decision ...Some of us have jobs that will keep us from planting ourselves on the couch or in a bar every day. I plan to go the first week but then I'll be back at my desk.

[servotron]

I've listened to both and I'm far more impressed with XM. XMPR ("Public" radio) is awesome (daily runs of This American Life, etc) the alternative retro channel is flippin amazing a lot of the time, and I even get the signal at full strength while travelling through LONG TUNNELS.

Sirius will have some EPL and that was actually making me think about getting it but then I thought: When I'm in the car..... when am I EVER in there at the same time as a live game? Rarely.

World Cup on XM might be nice... keep in mind that it MIGHT not be broadcast on the internet-streaming version, if you were hoping to listen at work or something.

and hey, you have the AIWA car stereo with the 1/8" input? Word, I have that too !:)

[kopiteinkc]

I prefer XM and really like their range of Alt-Rock stations.

I hadn't heard about the upcoming World Cup coverage, I would imagine I would mute the TV and have the XM coverage depending on who they have do the commentary. Anything would be better than the ESPN announcers.

I did hear something about a portable combo XM/MP3 player yesterday that is coming out soon.

[Kryptonite]

I actually worked on the XM ground-based network of repeaters. XM has two distinct advantages from an infrastructure perspective: they have two satellites (I think Sirius has only one) and a much larger repeater network, so their coverage/signal is much better, and they're in a better position to expand their channel offerings because of their bandwidth advantage.

Other than that it comes down to personal preference. Sirius has attracted some big names recently (Howard Stern), but I think XM has better overall programming.

Martha Stewart will also be on Sirius.

Sirius will have Premiership play by play during the season.
XM will have World Cup 2006 play by play.

Sirius has an all-Elvis channel, as well as an all-Eminem channel.




I think Sirius has multiple satellites. I believe they have their satellites go in a figure 8 pattern, while XM's are stationary (whatever the difference is.)

XM has a portable (walkman style) radio, which is either the greatest thing ever, or the crappiest thing ever, depending on where you live. Sirius has nothing of the sort.


There was a rumor about a Sirius/Apple combination. You'd store MP3's on the unit, and be able to listen to Sirius radio. Don't know what ever happened to it.

I also heard something about a device that will convert your Sirius to XM or vice-versa. While supposedly RadioShack sells it, it sounds very black market.

[I am Joe²]

XM has a portable (walkman style) radio, which is either the greatest thing ever, or the crappiest thing ever, depending on where you live. Sirius has nothing of the sort.


There was a rumor about a Sirius/Apple combination. You'd store MP3's on the unit, and be able to listen to Sirius radio. Don't know what ever happened to it.



XM announced today a deal w/ Napster that their new portable unit will be able to store MP3's with.

I'm from the NY/NJ area and haven't had any problems w/ the portable unit.

[emp2b3]

I have listened to both stations extensively. If you want to hear a lot of songs you can sing along to, Sirius is probably your best bet. They claim to have a wide playlist, but it definitely doesn't seem that way to me. I hear a lot of the same songs within the same day, that almost never happens on XM. XM is good for me for hearing new stuff. Also, there is not the large amount of dj chatter like on Sirius, but again that is a personal preference.
I think the decades channels are better on Sirius, mostly because the 60s one is pretty good and the 80s one sucks on XM. But, XM makes up for this by having stations like Fred, Ethel etc. that play alternative/indie music from the past. Each have some good things that the other doesn't.
Fave stations on XM: Fred, Ethel, Lucy, XMU. (On Sirius, Left of Center would be about the only thing comparable).
Fave stations on Sirius: BBC Mundo, Tropical, Big 80's, Margaritaville