XM satellite sound fidelity?

OPINIONATOR_xD · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Countryside, IL.

I have no problems with SAT reception but the sound quality is nothing compared to regular FM broadcast. The bass and treble levels aren't as crisp as FM. It's as if i'm listening to AM broadcast quality (not acceptable). The dealer said they could not do anything to improve the sound and that it had something to do with XMs service end. They did suggest adjusting the equilizer settings but I have to keep adjusting it everytime I switch to FM to XM. I wasn't sure about that so i'm here asking ppl how their XM radio sounds versus FM. I think I'm gonna give XM a call or maybe cancel the service all together. What's your experience?

oboogie · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 191

I have noticed a degradation in the broadcast quality of XM. I called to cancel it last week, and they gave me free three months "to think about it." I'll still cancel it when the three months are up because it simply doesn't compare to the quality of FM or CDs/MP3s.

ChelsDS · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 2461 Location: SoCal

I wonder if its XM only because when I had Sirius it sounded much better than FM or AM. :ponder:

Either way I miss my satellite radio! I HATE the damned commercials on FM and the constant replay of songs. :doh:

xDrug · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 77 Location: Miami Beach, FL

The XM sound is WAY better than FM/AM and somewhere close but not as good as CD. It is definitely worth keeping. The problem is most likely either a defect in your receiver, antenna, wiring or the install.
As for the dealership(in my experience) - they don't want to spend too much of their overpriced time on trying to solve your issue. So they give you some stupid advice(like adjusting the EQ) and get you out the door.
If the XM receiver came with your car or was later installed by dealrship and covered by the warranty I'd suggest you call Scion Customer Service @ 866 707 2466. These guys are serious about their product and they will make your dealer do his job.
If it is not on the warranty then just go to some professional audio installers and ask them to look into it. Either way, when it's taken care of I'm sure you'll enjoy the XM experience. Good luck !

oboogie · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 191

My husband and I have two different receivers, and the sound quality sucks on both. There goes that theory.

We're still going to dump it. I listen to my iPod almost all of the time anyway.

xDrug · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 77 Location: Miami Beach, FL

oboogie, I can not stop you from dumping them. I was trying to dump the service a few months ago on my other car(for different reason) and they convinced me to stay by offering 50% off subscription :rofl:

What you said sounds a bit strange. XM is not CD quality as they promote it, but in my case it's not even comparable to FM or AM. What kind of receivers/audio setups do you guys have ? My setup is Scion Navigation head unit and Scion factory XM receiver/antenna. I'd say I'm getting XM sound very close to MP3 quality ...

OPINIONATOR_xD · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Countryside, IL.

^I have the same setup as yours and I'm not satisfied with the audio fidelity.

btw, the dealership tech i dealt with just didn't throw me out the door with his suggestion. I first saw him do some procedure on the radio that checks the XM reciever, XM antenna, GPS antenna and the SNS radio receiver itself to see if there are problems within any of those components. It must of been an on-board radio diagnostics built into the radio. It showed the components were all good and recieving strong signals. The tech figured it was normal that it wasn't CD quality so he told me he'd have to discuss the issue with his manager at the scion corp. headquarters to see if there were similar cases like my issue. I could not wait for an answer that moment so they did call me back for a follow up. They all said there wasn't any cases and it was considered normal.

idk what it is but between you and boogie, pros & cons break out even... i'm confused.
anyone else have their XM quality inputs?

xDrug · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 77 Location: Miami Beach, FL

OPINIONATOR_xD wrote: ... The tech figured it was normal that it wasn't CD quality ...

Sorry, I might have misunderstood your original post. I thought you were getting AM quality sound and that's why I suggested to check the system. You do realize there is a huge gap between CD and AM quality ? )) If you expect it to sound like the CD - dump it ! You will be disappointed.

I have XM in both - my wife's xD and my GMC Yukon Denali. They both sound great to me and I'm not tone deaf ))) Plus the variety of programming is unbeatable considering the sucking FM alternatives. But no, I do not expect audiofile quality from the car radio setup ...

Hope it was helpful. Good luck in your research !

oboogie · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 191

My Mom has Sirius in her Prius, and it sounds great. Maybe I'll switch back to that? I had it a long time ago, and I loved it.

I'm glad your sound is better than mine, xDrug!

xDrug · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 77 Location: Miami Beach, FL

I've got this email 3 days ago:

Dear Greg,

At GM, we’re focused on each and every aspect of our owners’ driving experience. So we’ve naturally paid close attention to the merger of XM and SIRIUS.
The merger has been approved, and now XM and SIRIUS will move forward with their plans. I’m writing today to tell you that we think that’s great news for GM owners. Here are three reasons why:
You’ll have new choices. A combined company will be able to offer an even broader spectrum of audio entertainment. You’ll have the choice of the best of both companies’ programming.
You’ll get new pricing and packages. In fact, there will be exciting new subscription packages that combine the best of what each company has to offer. Packages including the best of both XM and SIRIUS programming will be priced below the cost of subscribing to them separately.
You’ll use the same radios. XM has guaranteed us that no radio will become obsolete due to the merger. Both companies have millions of radios entertaining loyal listeners. The combined company wants subscribers to enjoy those radios more than ever!
There’s nothing you need to do right now. Look for an e-mail in the next few months with programming and pricing specifics. For any questions in the meantime, go to xmradio.com.
XM and SIRIUS will soon bring you the level of service you’ve come to expect, along with new plans and programming that will exceed your expectations. You, as a valued GM owner, deserve nothing less.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Lee
Executive Director
Satellite Radio Services
GM

GeoUSA · Posted: 9/8/08 5:49AM Post subject:

Some people are more sensitive to compression "artifacts." I've gradually become accustomed to it and it doesn't bother me greatly. Satellite radio is made possible by using a great deal of digital compression.

Not sure about Sirius, but XM uses different amounts of compression on different channels. If your favorite channels happen to be the ones with the most compression, you may think XM sucks while another listener thinks it's near CD quality. I can tell the "talk" channels have serious compression.

I think Squizz sounds clearer than Ethel or Fred. I like Fungus, but it seems they have really cranked the compression on that channel. Punk recordings are often not the best, but I think the sound quality of Fungus is my most dissapointing. XM has surveyed me a few times. I always ask for fewer channels so they don't have to use as much compression.