XM or Sirius Opinions Please - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shoe · #1 04-16-2006, 09:43 AM

I am about to get a sat radio kit for my Alpine and I am trying to determine which sat radio provider to go with anyone have opinions or facts about each one? My parents have XM and are very satisfied but we do not listen to the same type of music fomats. The local bar I frequent uses Sirius and I really like the msic in there. I assume each provider has simliar stations or music formats so what would put one ahead of another, price, service, or number of stations? I would like your opinions.

Dee8go · #2 04-16-2006, 12:21 PM

You basically have to see what the programming is on each and base your decision on that. I have Sirius and love it. Of course, I'm a Howard Stern fan. If you like humorous talk radio (check out the Blue Collar Comedy channel. You'll bust a gut!), most pro sports, and completely commercial free music of every variety, I highly recommend Sirius. They were late starters, but they're kicking XM's ass these days and will probably surpass XM in subscribers before year's end.
Sirius also has no premium channels. Once you sign up, you get everything. Not so on XM. They offer some of their programming at a premium. Sirius also has some excellent pre-paid deals. Pay for a year and you get a free month, two years and you get two free months, etc.
Good luck! Either way, it beats the hell out of terrestrial radio.

and no, I don't work for Sirius . . . .

shoe · #3 04-17-2006, 08:07 AM

Dee thanks for the input I did not know there were different levels to XM.

TX76513 · #4 04-17-2006, 08:28 AM

I will go the other way having had Sirus (and owning SIRI stock) thought it was great programing until driving a rental with XM installed. We changed the next week. XM now has 168 channels that are standard with the basic package. But as Dee8go stated, it's a matter of taste and features. I like the rolling stock ticker, song replay and pause along with their channel selection.

Pete Geither · #5 04-17-2006, 08:57 AM

Have had Sirius for about a year now and really like the programming. I have had a problem though, and it may end up making me leave Sirius. I have one head that I like to swap from car to car to home. I started having trouble getting the antenna plugged into the head unit at home until I finally couldn't get it to work. I went to Radio Shack, and they told me Sirius doesn't make that setup any more, and I would have to get a new head and antenna.

I was able to find the antenna on line at Sirius, but now the antenna in one of my cars won't plug into the head unit. Is this common ? Is the XM hardware any more user friendly ?

TX76513 · #6 04-17-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

: I was able to find the antenna on line at Sirius, but now the antenna in one of my cars won't plug into the head unit. Is this common ? Is the XM hardware any more user friendly ?

I have found the XM hardware to be smaller in size (antenna is size of quarter) and easier to program/use. With that said I declare myself completely anal when it comes to car audio.

Dee8go · #7 04-20-2006, 04:51 PM

I can say that trying to resolve a problem with Sirius is no easier than with most other electronic gadgets I own. Endless automated phone attendants, useless E Mail addresses, and unresponsive customer (dis)service people.
I don't know how XM is in this regard, but it doesn't seem to be confined to any one company.

Anybody else have particularly positive or negative customer service experiences with either?

kitchenrat · #8 04-20-2006, 05:53 PM

i've had both and i think they both suck. i hate paying for programming that includes so much self promotion and chatter by deejays. the receiver identifies the artist and song, why the hell do i need some american bandstand blathering between songs? commercial radio used to tune in for free and we've now been tricked in to paying for it.

Dee8go · #9 04-21-2006, 04:33 PM

Kitchenrat, but commercial radio just really sucks. I need the laughs I get in the morning on the way to work, so I listen to Howard Stern. Nearly every other talk radio show still on commercial radio bases some or all of what he/she does on Howard's schtick. Nobody does Howard like Howard, though. I pay a lot more for cable TV and I don't even watch TV (the family insists, though), so Sirius is cheap by comparison.

bfisher · #10 04-22-2006, 08:37 AM

I have Sirius and REALLY like it. The music selection is very wide and varied, and their other channels are interesting as well (comedy, news, talk, sports, etc).

I've riden in rentals/friends cars with XM and it never clicked with me - mostly due to music choice (although it's been 4 or 5 months, it's possible it's changed by now).

As for satellite vs FM - no comparison. I never use FM anymore, can't stand it. Drives me nuts to get in my wifes car without satellite...

Dee8go · #11 04-27-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfisher

I have Sirius and REALLY like it. The music selection is very wide and varied, and their other channels are interesting as well (comedy, news, talk, sports, etc).

I've riden in rentals/friends cars with XM and it never clicked with me - mostly due to music choice (although it's been 4 or 5 months, it's possible it's changed by now).

As for satellite vs FM - no comparison. I never use FM anymore, can't stand it. Drives me nuts to get in my wifes car without satellite...

Same here, bfisher. The comedy stuff on Sirius is great. The blues and jazz channels are terrific. My only real frustration is not being able to listen to more of the channels. Just don't have the time.
Do you have a hard-wire connection from the Sirius receiver to your car stereo or just use the FM transmitter option?
Dee8go

steve93 · #12 04-30-2006, 11:24 AM

I have sirius hardwired into my alpine 9853 and it works and sounds great.

bfisher · #13 04-30-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

Do you have a hard-wire connection from the Sirius receiver to your car stereo or just use the FM transmitter option?
Dee8go

sorry - missed this question.

I have it hardwired. I replaced my factory system with a Pioneer setup - the HU looks classy and understated, and controls my Sirius tuner. Very nice

rg2098 · #14 05-11-2006, 06:24 PM

If your parents have XM , you can add onto their account for a cheaper rate. Thats something to consider. I prefer XM personally.

Dee8go · #15 05-11-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rg2098

If your parents have XM , you can add onto their account for a cheaper rate. Thats something to consider. I prefer XM personally.

Same is true for Sirius. If there's already one account, additional radios can be added for $6.95 a month. Sirius has a new very tiny, portable radio coming out this summer like the S-50 only it actually has the receiver built in. Should be very sweet.