Satellite Radio Reviews

[jacketsfan]

Calling all Satellite Radio Owners (Regardless of service):

I need to know what you think of the sound of your systems. I'm intensively reviewing sat radio as an option vs. MP3 player. I'm keenly interested in ease of installation and sound of the system once installed. I like quality audio. I also like not being bored on long trips.

Any of you who have experienced both are especially valuable, but all who currently use it are welcome to give your opinion/experience a voice.

Thanks in advance.

[ccryder]

I have a Roady XT on the XM system. I'm running with an AmpliRider amp through a Starcom intercom. Since the Roady really doesn't have a amp and no "real" volume adjustment I chose this route. I am in the last stages of mounting this on my dash shelf via a Ram mount. BTW in my first tests I picked up an alternator whine so I'm using a line filter on the 12v. No of my other audio has this whine (they are independently powered, so I'm guessing it's the 12v supply and not the line back to the Starcom)

When the final iteration is completed I'll post some picts. I run this unit in my truck and in the garage and it sounds GREAT! (especially with 450watts on the Yamaha reciever, too bad Honda doesn't make stero equipment).

Time to work on the naked girl in the garage (Indigo my ST, don't get any funny ideas) Maybe it will get into the 40's today, yesterday was pretty chilly. Today looks like brake flushing, LED reflector mounting and relays. Maybe by next weekend she will be back on the road.

Neil S.

[Highrider]

I too had the same concerns when I looked into investing in XM radio and the cost subscription service( back then the cheapest radios were $250, now you can get into XM radio for $29). The sound quality on satellite radio is the same as high quality MP3. I find the choices XM provides are worth the difference, if you feel the need for the variety satellite radio has to offer. The only problem with satellite radio interference of the satellite signal from buildings, dense tree clusters and mountains. XM radio is my primary source for entertainment on my long trips. I use an MP3 player as a backup if I am in areas that reception is interupted or I feel the need to run with my own selections. If I am putting down 800 to 900 miles per day by myself, satellite radio makes the trip so much more enjoyable.

Ride Safe!

Dave
:biker:

[Earache]

I have a Sirius syetm in my car and I drive around 1,800 miles per week for work. So I listen to it a good deal more than msot people.

The only complaint I have as far as programming goes, is that the stations do repeat the songs a lot mroe often them traditional radio does. But there are a lot more stations which I like to listen to, so I just have to surf a lot while listening -something I usually don't do with FM radio.

The tlak shows are great! If you like talk radio, then it's a great system. Howard Stern, G. Gordon Liddy, Right and Left wing radio, CNN, etc - all very good.

Haven't put the system on my ST yet, but probably will do so next year.

Eric

[Louie Louie]

I have XM in the car. I'm hooked on XM channel 46(Classic Rock), 150(Comedy) and 122(CNN), Quality is outstanding. There is no static and if you are under a bridge for instance it just stops until it can pick the Satellite again. Looking for options to carry an XM on the bike also, probably a portable one!.

[Earache]

Yup, it's their car and they pay all of the associated bills. New car every year as well. Couldn't afford to work there if I had to supply the ride!

[Blue STreak]

Before buying, preview them on the web. You'll get a feel for the musical sections each have. I chose XM because it plays a wider variety of artists and songs, in two ways. It seems to offer channels with a wider variety of musical types. More importantly, though, the play lists on each channel seem to be deeper, so you hear fewer repeats.

As for sound quality, XM is certainly good enough for motorcycle or automobile use. I've got a home kit for my XM SkyFi 2, and if I hook it up to my high end stereo it's certainly not as good as the best audiophile quality CDs. Even in this use, though, it's still very good. I think you have to listen farily carefully to notice the compression effects. It's as good as FM through a high quality tuner, though, and better than FM in a moving car.

In my car, I think XM sounds better than my son's Ipod.

On a bike, the external noise is going to overwhelm any loss in sound quality compared to a better source.

Note that you have 3 choices for hooking your satellite receiver to your sound system: an FM transmitter (built in to some of the newer XM receivers), a cassette adapter (included with most XM units) and a direct connection to an auxilliary input. Sound quality improves in the order I listed them.

[Earache]

Riding a bike would be fun, but I cover PA to ND and MI to MO - would kinda suck in teh snow. Plus, Minnesota ain;t all that great for riding in the winter:D

[DubT]

I have XM on the bike, in the car and in the garage. I started out with a Roady, then a Roady 2 and now have a Roady XT. The XT is on the bike and works great.

I have it mounted on the front brake reservoir using the mount that came with the Roady. I power it using the supplied adapter. BMW style plug in on the bike, with an adapter cable that I locate in the tank bag. The unit plays through the Autocom and the sound is great. I am able to adjust the sound level using the volume control on the XT.

Pictures are posted in another XM post on this board. If interested I can post them again.

DubT

[jeffmiller]

I love the Pioneer Airware.....built in FM modulator, fantastic remote, easy installation...XM is great....although during football months I would love to have Sirius.

[Louie Louie]

I became so addicted to the XM in the house that I tried it on the bike. The bike now has it's own Roady 2. I use the ER6 ear buds and have no problem with sound level or quality. Don't leave home without it.

Paul


I am trying to find a way to carry an XM on the bike or in my pocket. I usually carry my Ipod in my pocket and also use ER6's. What is a Roady? What other options do I have to get XM w/ out getting a 2730 or a solid install?

[Louie Louie]

The Roady was replaced by the Roady 2 and it was replaced by the Roady XT.
They just kept getting smaller. About everything you need in satellite radio can be had here. http://www.myradiostore.us/
There are some Walkman type XM radios.

Paul

Thanks Paul...Is the reception acceptable if I carry one in my jacket pocket?

[STeve1300]

The XT is on the bike and works great.

I have it mounted on the front brake reservoir using the mount that came with the Roady. I power it using the supplied adapter. BMW style plug in on the bike, with an adapter cable that I locate in the tank bag. The unit plays through the Autocom and the sound is great. I am able to adjust the sound level using the volume control on the XT. DubT

I'm reading all about this on Paul's link: http://www.myradiostore.us/ and have the Autocom. I see the XT is relatively inexpensive, and has a $20 hard wire kit for motorcycles.

Here is my question....Can I picture this small radio mounting to the clutch reservoir mount, with velcro (or other in-transit method of quick removal...I have a bunch of Ram Mount stuff), so I can leave enough cord to use the unit while it is there or in the locked comp for rain or for just keeping it in there on a set channel for commuting? For longer trips I would pull it out & place in mount for access to controls. In other words, can I just set it and forget it, and not even bring it out (unless I'm changing channels), like my car radio, or would I have to switch it manually on every time I get on the bike? I would only have it powered when ignition is on, or in accessory.

[jacketsfan]

Wow, I knew this would generate interest, but not this much!

Haven't heard too many people pipe in about MP3 players. Also, I'm thinking about the Delphi MyFi hand-held. Anybody know anything about these?

[Louie Louie]

I would be surprised to hear it would not work in a pocket, they can't expect you to carry the thing around facing south all the time.
Paul

lol..lol..Very true..thanks:D

[SpEd]

Wow, I knew this would generate interest, but not this much!

Haven't heard too many people pipe in about MP3 players. Also, I'm thinking about the Delphi MyFi hand-held. Anybody know anything about these?

I got a MyFi for Christmas and I like it's versatility as I can wear it when I'm out and about if I want to. For example, I put air in the ST's tires yesterday listening to the comedy channel while laying on the ground in my front yard. It plays great on the bike, and I run it through my Starcom unit.

I also have a Creative Labs Nomad Zen Xtra (30 gig) unit that I play often. Sound quality is awesome from both the MP3 player as well as the XM. I think the main difference is that using the MP3 player gives me more control over what I listen to. I have several play lists on the player that really help pass the time when I'm riding. I also have a portable AM/FM radio which I'll play on the way to school to keep up with local events and weather. Its good to have choices. :cool:

I thought I heard the other day that life doesn't have a soundtrack, but it should.

There are a number of deals on the MyFi. I paid about $149, but I think you can get one for about $100 after rebates from the site listed above.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your search, and ride safe.

[Blrfl]

The bottom line on XM and Sirius is that you really can't go wrong with either. I've spent a lot time listening to both, and each excel in some areas and come up short in others. The big differentiators are what each has in sports and talk; less significant are some minor differences in

is sports and a few genres that one has and the other doesn't. I already got the music channels as part of my DISH Network subscription, so that and Howard Stern tipped it toward Sirius for me.

As for sound quality: If you're looking for sound that's 100% up to snuff with a CD played on a decent home system, neither XM or Sirius is going to give you that. I'd call the sound from either "much better than decent but not incredible." You may find the sound from both a little less "loud" than what you're used to hearing on FM, which is because they don't have to process it to within an inch of its life to make it jump off the dial.

I've had a lot of difficulties with the FM modulator in the car, largely because the FM band around DC is packed like a can of sardines and there are very few spots that don't pick up splatter from adjacent stations. So use the line output if you can... It makes a huge difference.

My radio is the original Sirius Starmate, which I selected largely because the line out's level is adjustable. That'll become important when I get around to putting on the bike and connecting it to the Autocom.

--Mark

[sherob]

Thanks Paul...Is the reception acceptable if I carry one in my jacket pocket?

Try a MyFi for that... it has an antenna that will clip to your clothing. I have one, but I use the standard RAM mount and antenna. I've been having issues with the mini plug due to mounting/dismounting all of the time over the past x months.... :mad: This will be the 2nd time to send back for a new one... 1rst was it wouldn't turn on after x months :rolleyes:

[Diggers1300]

Wow, I knew this would generate interest, but not this much!

Haven't heard too many people pipe in about MP3 players. Also, I'm thinking about the Delphi MyFi hand-held. Anybody know anything about these?


Used an mp3 player before the Sirius Starmate was installed on the bike. Never looked back. The Starmate reciever is fairly small, powers by 12v and is direct wired into my Starcom intercom. No need for an amplifier! The unit has plenty of volume through the Starcom even at triple digit speeds. I haven't noticed the repetition that others talk about (maybe different channels). Riding on Sunday is great now that I don't have to miss football.