Sirius or XM
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
One of the magazines in my dentist's office, did a comparison. Besides the above, they said that XM music was more "computerized", whereas Sirius seemed to be more of an individual DJ. I guess how you like the selections depends on that individual.
Personally, I probably would go with Sirius, but at this point, I don't feel the need to make the commitment. It's probably like cable TV: When that's the only way to get certain essential programming (eg.; Cubs games), I'll break down and do it.
What I am doing, is putting an iPod adaptor onto my receiver. I believe this works on any recent Ford receiver through the CD changer controls. You then control the iPod and get a read-out on the car stereo.
Personally, I probably would go with Sirius, but at this point, I don't feel the need to make the commitment. It's probably like cable TV: When that's the only way to get certain essential programming (eg.; Cubs games), I'll break down and do it.
What I am doing, is putting an iPod adaptor onto my receiver. I believe this works on any recent Ford receiver through the CD changer controls. You then control the iPod and get a read-out on the car stereo.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
I'm a F150 owner and an early investor in both XM (XMSR) and Sirius (SIRI).
Here's a couple of links to the fan sites of both companies, each have excellent forums regarding programming, hardware, installs, etc.
XM
www.xmfan.com
Sirius
www.siriusbackstage.com
Cheers, Wm.
Here's a couple of links to the fan sites of both companies, each have excellent forums regarding programming, hardware, installs, etc.
XM
www.xmfan.com
Sirius
www.siriusbackstage.com
Cheers, Wm.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I have XM and love it, although I haven't heard or dealt with the Sirius. If you do a lot of long distance driving, you can't beat them. I have XM in my truck and I drag race often driving long distance to different tracks, I know I won't lose the music I like to listen to. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I made a drive to pittsburg (8 hours) in her car without XM and I about went nuts!! I'm sure you would be very happy with either choice.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 285
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From: Maryland
I have XM radio. Installed in my 03 F150. The unit plays thru the cassette deck. It is important to know how you get playback. Either thru the FM modulation or the cassette deck or other. Like Ipods and such, the FM modulation leaves a lot to be desired and many folks have complained about poor sound quality and having to change the FM freq. mod when traveling. The cassette set up is darn good. Not as good as a new integrated setup but nice.
I don't know much about Sirius but 8 months later I am still discovering new music stations and XM sometimes adds/deletes stations. As an example, I am not a country music fan but I found a XM station called Hanks place that plays a lot of country from the 50s and 60s and I like the sound. So one really has to listen to various stations and figure out what appeals to you.
Hope this helps...
I don't know much about Sirius but 8 months later I am still discovering new music stations and XM sometimes adds/deletes stations. As an example, I am not a country music fan but I found a XM station called Hanks place that plays a lot of country from the 50s and 60s and I like the sound. So one really has to listen to various stations and figure out what appeals to you.
Hope this helps...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 308
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From: St.Paul, MN
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
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From: Southern Louisiana
I own an XM and tried Sirius online after a few months and the music programming left a lot to be desired. My boss also had Sirius and after using my truck to go to a job 10 hours away he got back in his and bought an XM the next day. Than again, I really dont get into football or any other kind of sports. Just music and talk radio, and I am not all that sure the Howard would cut it for me.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Nether, I have over 3000 mp3's, and with a DVD player you can have many hours of music, books on tape and "pod cast" of talk radio on a single dvd with no monthly charge or drop out due to mountains, valleys or high buildings.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 38
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From: Florida
XM user here
Around my area its about 50/50 Sirius and XM users. I have a few family members who have Sirius in their cars/trucks and I like it alot. However I'm slightly partial to XM. Setup is very easy and while the Sirius has better sports stations, I find I always listen to Sporting News anyway with Tony Bruno and Tim Brando in the afternoons so I don't need much else. Comedy on XM is good too.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Everett, Washington
I originally planned to go with XM but ended up getting a Kenwood music keg for Chirstmas ('04). It was just easier to buy a Kenwood tuner and keep the everything in one system. I've got friends with XM and all in all both are very comparable. There seems to be a lot of specials around now for the equipment so the startup prices are getting better. As far reception goes expect dead spots with either system. The new generation antenna are much better but still you will get occasional dead spots and they can be irritating. Also, my wifes car has a set up that moves between the house and car and uses FM retransmission to get the signal into the car radio. We adjusted it to use a locally blank frequency but as you travel the frequency will very probably be occupied by a station somewhere down the road. Plan on changing the freq often. If you buy a unit that uses this method, make sure it has LOTS of frequencies to choose from.
All in all I love the Sirius. Never thought I'd be subscribing to a radio, but the lack of commercials and huge variety of music news and sports is great.
All in all I love the Sirius. Never thought I'd be subscribing to a radio, but the lack of commercials and huge variety of music news and sports is great.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
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From: Southern Louisiana
Originally Posted by Cowman
I originally planned to go with XM but ended up getting a Kenwood music keg for Chirstmas ('04). It was just easier to buy a Kenwood tuner and keep the everything in one system. I've got friends with XM and all in all both are very comparable. There seems to be a lot of specials around now for the equipment so the startup prices are getting better. As far reception goes expect dead spots with either system. The new generation antenna are much better but still you will get occasional dead spots and they can be irritating. Also, my wifes car has a set up that moves between the house and car and uses FM retransmission to get the signal into the car radio. We adjusted it to use a locally blank frequency but as you travel the frequency will very probably be occupied by a station somewhere down the road. Plan on changing the freq often. If you buy a unit that uses this method, make sure it has LOTS of frequencies to choose from.
All in all I love the Sirius. Never thought I'd be subscribing to a radio, but the lack of commercials and huge variety of music news and sports is great.
All in all I love the Sirius. Never thought I'd be subscribing to a radio, but the lack of commercials and huge variety of music news and sports is great.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Cary
I got Sirius for pro football, English soccer and b/c I hate commericals and dj's who don't know when to stop talking. So far (three months) I've had no problems with the reception or my receiver.
I recently drove from Atlanta to New Orleans, back to Atlanta, then to the mountains of North Carolina (way back in the woods for a camping trip). Not once did I lose reception or have any issues.
I've switched it back and forth between my two Jeeps and the truck several times and that is very easy to do.
Can't say anything negative about XM b/c I've never tried it - but I do REALLY like this Sirius system.
I recently drove from Atlanta to New Orleans, back to Atlanta, then to the mountains of North Carolina (way back in the woods for a camping trip). Not once did I lose reception or have any issues.
I've switched it back and forth between my two Jeeps and the truck several times and that is very easy to do.
Can't say anything negative about XM b/c I've never tried it - but I do REALLY like this Sirius system.