satellite radio sound quality

[bassthrive]

Content aside, XM or Sirius, was it all you were hoping for and more?

Satellite compresses the hell out of their music channels. I think it sounds worse than FM, and I have direct connect - supposedly your "best case scenario". Sound off if you agree/disagree.

['00vegas-solara]

I currently have SIRIUS hooked up with the analog outputs in my Solara and I'm not real happy about the sound quality. I would say its better than FM but not quite CD quality. I am getting an optical in soundcard for X-Mas so I'll be connecting that way when I get it. Hopefully it improves the sound a bit.

[Yanks0114]

I have XM and I think it sounds very good. It's on par with burned CDs (not direct copies, but cds that were made from MP3s)

[BradOwens]

my quality is very good and i mounted the antenna inside. its up to par with cds

[made in china]

I have had both Sirius and XM. Sound quality is similar to MP3, well, it is probably similar technology as MP3. Of course, a audio CD will sound better, and when I had a DVD player in my other car, DVD Audio sounds by far best.

On a side note, once I realized that my DVD player could play MP3 DVDs of over 4GB of content, I cancelled my Sirius as I already had it all (that I care for, I'm not into live/news/sports) on one DVD.

[SpeedSTARs]

The XM is not bad. The only draw back is the signal coverage. Especially in heavy concret ares on the freeway where the reception signal is cutting in and out. Some channels come in are stronger than others which make the SQ vary. "O" well, the Comedy channel (150) is the BOM.

[Sap Z]

Can anyone do a DIY on how to do the direct connect? i'm fed up the basic install cuz the sound quality is worse than local radio stations.

Satellite radio my a$$

[MCOjerry]

I voted for the 2nd option, but I suppose the quality isn't there for me because mine transmits over FM. The sound is low vs. a CD or even the regular FM stations.

I agree with one one other person said...in the highway, with lots of concrete, I get signal interruptions sometimes.

I like it (Sirius) because I still get to listen to Howard and I like the First Wave channel. I think that it is definitely better than the crap they play on regular radio.

[FreakinJARED]

I have XM and I think it sounds very good. It's on par with burned CDs (not direct copies, but cds that were made from MP3s)

My XM is part of my HU/receiver and the sound is good, but not great. Definitely better than FM, but nowhere near CD quality. Like the post I quoted, it's definitely on par with burned mp3s quality.

[theprodigy79]

I'd say "Other" as well... It sounds far superior to FM, however it's not on par with CDs. It IS, however to my satisfaction.

It also depends on what you listen on... If you listen on a crappy factory deck with crappy speakers you may not hear much of a difference over FM... I can't see it sounding worst unless there's something wrong with your receiver or antenna...

[ChrYstiE]

mine is hardwired into the back of my alpine 9815 head unit. I agree that it sounds like mp3 quality. When I turn it up loud, it's not really all that great. Regardless, I'm going to keep XM because of what it offers me as opposed to crappy regular radio stations. I hate the philly radio stations!