XM Radio Sound Quality

DanGarion · 03-20-2007, 02:05 PM

I'm curious to find out what others have experiences sound quality wise with their XM radio service. I have a perfect level of service with my connection to XM but the quality of sound just seems to be missing something.

I'm using the "Sure Connect" FM device that came with my Audiovox unit, I'm wondering if I will see much of an improvement if I do a direct connect to the back of my aux (RCA) on my head unit...

?

Eaglesfan27 · 03-20-2007, 02:28 PM

I use sure connect via my FM bands in my car and I've always been very happy with the sound quality, so much so that I never considered doing anything differently. The only time it dips is when my signal gets weak (usually from going under an overpass.)

DanGarion · 03-20-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I use sure connect via my FM bands in my car and I've always been very happy with the sound quality, so much so that I never considered doing anything differently. The only time it dips is when my signal gets weak (usually from going under an overpass.)

Yeah I'm getting a perfect signal. But I can tell an obvious difference in sound quality from my FM stations compared to the XM unit.

Lathum · 03-20-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I use sure connect via my FM bands in my car and I've always been very happy with the sound quality, so much so that I never considered doing anything differently. The only time it dips is when my signal gets weak (usually from going under an overpass.)

same for me. I also have the XM boombox and get great sound quality.

My fiance has Sirius and we had horrible sound quailty, I go her a new antenna and that made a huge difference.

DanGarion · 03-20-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

same for me. I also have the XM boombox and get great sound quality.

My fiance has Sirius and we had horrible sound quailty, I go her a new antenna and that made a huge difference.

A new car antenna? I have the stock one that came with my Tacoma, it's painted black. On the bottom of my antenna there is the part that you use to screw it in, I'm wondering if I should hook up to that part of my antenna instead of the part right above that...

Lathum · 03-20-2007, 02:47 PM

I meant a new antenna for the sirius unit.

DanGarion · 03-20-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

I meant a new antenna for the sirius unit.

Yeah I don't think that's the problem since I'm getting 3 bars (which is the best) of the actual units signal.

terpkristin · 03-20-2007, 03:11 PM

In my old car, I had the XM as a part of the head unit and the sound quality was perfect. In the loaner car I'm driving around now, I'm using the Delphi SkyFi2 and using its FM transmitter and the quality is horrible, as I expected it would be. My new car will have an auxillary jack in a week and a half or so, so I will have it direct line-in'd then and I expect the quality to be very good (much better than the FM transmitter). FM transmitters work well enough in rural places where there aren't a lot of competing radio stations, but in most cities, it's a lost cause, whether you're listening to XM or an iPod or whatever else via FM transmitter.

I can't wait for the auxillary jack in my new car to be installed/activated, as it will yield much better audio experiences for me (hey, my new car has a Bose audio system, such a shame to waste that on crappy FM transmitted music!).

/tk

CU Tiger · 03-20-2007, 03:25 PM

My sound quality is fine, but in the last few months I have developed an extremely high frequency whine . It is almost off the audible scale, and seems much worse when in "playback" mode...

My FM transmitter is great, especially since I never listen to FM, I unscrewed my antenna to reduce interference. It picks the transmitted signal up fine do to its relative close proximity, but no interference.

Bose-Better sound through marketing. No highs No lows must be Bose

Ksyrup · 03-20-2007, 03:28 PM

I've got the manufacturer built-in model, and while the reception is fine, the sound quality is similar to MP3 in that I can't really crank it up to make it as loud as I would want it to be (or as loud as I crank my CDs).

terpkristin · 03-20-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

My sound quality is fine, but in the last few months I have developed an extremely high frequency whine . It is almost off the audible scale, and seems much worse when in "playback" mode...

That usually comes from it being powered by the cigarette lighter, though it's odd that it only "just developed."

/tk

FBPro · 03-20-2007, 03:58 PM

I've got Sirius and had my unit hardwired to the back of my radio, I have excellent sound quality.

markprior22 · 03-20-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBPro

I've got Sirius and had my unit hardwired to the back of my radio, I have excellent sound quality.

Bet that didn't feel too good....

FBPro · 03-20-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markprior22

Bet that didn't feel too good....

Nice one.....

deserved.

I had my "sirius radio UNIT" hardwired......yada, yada.......

Fixed now.

DanGarion · 03-21-2007, 03:13 PM

I did a direct connection to the back of my head unit and although it does sound a bit better, the quality still appears to lack compared to terrestrial stereo. Plus now that I'm plugged into the back of my head unit, it says the signal isn't stereo...

sooner333 · 03-21-2007, 03:30 PM

This seems like as good a place to ask as any about getting XM and a receiver. Would it be best to get a portable receiver or just one for car/home. I want to be able to listen to it in the car, but also inside since I don't really commute all that much. I understand the portable would be the best for taking it anywhere, but is the reception any worse?

Also, do you need two antennas if you're going to use the XM reciever inside the home and in the car as well?

Toddzilla · 03-21-2007, 05:40 PM

Quick answer - get an Inno with a car kit. I <3 my Inno.

03-20-2007, 02:28 PM	#2
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I use sure connect via my FM bands in my car and I've always been very happy with the sound quality, so much so that I never considered doing anything differently. The only time it dips is when my signal gets weak (usually from going under an overpass.) __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

03-20-2007, 03:11 PM	#8
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	In my old car, I had the XM as a part of the head unit and the sound quality was perfect. In the loaner car I'm driving around now, I'm using the Delphi SkyFi2 and using its FM transmitter and the quality is horrible, as I expected it would be. My new car will have an auxillary jack in a week and a half or so, so I will have it direct line-in'd then and I expect the quality to be very good (much better than the FM transmitter). FM transmitters work well enough in rural places where there aren't a lot of competing radio stations, but in most cities, it's a lost cause, whether you're listening to XM or an iPod or whatever else via FM transmitter. I can't wait for the auxillary jack in my new car to be installed/activated, as it will yield much better audio experiences for me (hey, my new car has a Bose audio system, such a shame to waste that on crappy FM transmitted music!). /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

03-20-2007, 03:25 PM	#9
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	My sound quality is fine, but in the last few months I have developed an extremely high frequency whine . It is almost off the audible scale, and seems much worse when in "playback" mode... My FM transmitter is great, especially since I never listen to FM, I unscrewed my antenna to reduce interference. It picks the transmitted signal up fine do to its relative close proximity, but no interference. Bose-Better sound through marketing. No highs No lows must be Bose Last edited by CU Tiger : 03-20-2007 at 03:28 PM.

03-20-2007, 03:28 PM	#10
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I've got the manufacturer built-in model, and while the reception is fine, the sound quality is similar to MP3 in that I can't really crank it up to make it as loud as I would want it to be (or as loud as I crank my CDs). __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

03-20-2007, 03:58 PM	#12
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	I've got Sirius and had my unit hardwired to the back of my radio, I have excellent sound quality. __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

03-20-2007, 02:47 PM	#6
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	I meant a new antenna for the sirius unit.

03-21-2007, 03:13 PM	#15
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: PNW	I did a direct connection to the back of my head unit and although it does sound a bit better, the quality still appears to lack compared to terrestrial stereo. Plus now that I'm plugged into the back of my head unit, it says the signal isn't stereo... __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

03-21-2007, 03:30 PM	#16
sooner333 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Norman, OK	This seems like as good a place to ask as any about getting XM and a receiver. Would it be best to get a portable receiver or just one for car/home. I want to be able to listen to it in the car, but also inside since I don't really commute all that much. I understand the portable would be the best for taking it anywhere, but is the reception any worse? Also, do you need two antennas if you're going to use the XM reciever inside the home and in the car as well?

03-21-2007, 05:40 PM	#17
Toddzilla Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burke, VA	Quick answer - get an Inno with a car kit. I <3 my Inno.

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