So I just got a trial period on my XM radio, and I wanted to ask the people out there who pay for the XM radio some questions.

It seems to me that the quality of the radio is not as good as my CD's/Ipod/Normal Radio/or the Music Box.

When I switch it to the XM signal the sound quality goes down.

For example when I am listening to a CD and have the volume half way when I switch to XM radio the sound goes down like 30%... I end up needing to turn the sound up to almost the top to get any volume.

Does any one else have this problem?

I am not sure the $12-19 bucks a month is worth it for this quality level.

I am hoping that this is just part of the TRIAL service.

Also does anyone have the traffic portion of the service? Any do you like it?

 

You are correct that the quality isn't going to be as good compared to a direct input, however, I have always been more impressed with XM vs. FM. My main attraction to XM has always been been the fact that I travel and I don't have to search for terrestrial stations in a specific area. In a nut shell, it's a paid alternative to FM. I don't and probably won't the traffic because I don't live in an area where I need it. As with anything, it's going to be a personal decision based on your wants.

 

Yep, like anrman said, the quality of XM is reduced. However the gains that you get in variety, no commercials (mostly), and the ability to drive cross-country and not have to constantly tune to another station more than makes up for it (IMHO). You pay for cable TV, this is like cable for the radio.

I've been an XM subscriber for more than 6 years. I have it in my car, my wife's car, and an online subscription for work. I also stream it through my iPod Touch for when I'm working in the yard. And I have a set of speakers to hook my iPod Touch up to, for when I'm in the garage.

I have no experience with the traffic.

 

For variety and the price, XM IMHO is quite a good deal.

It doesn't sound as good as a properly recorded CD (there's a bunch of crap out there, too) or even a high bitrate MP3, but it sure beats the FM stations around here.

If anything, my only annoyance with XM is how not all channels are streamed the same. A song playing on 20 will almost always sound tinny compared to the same song that plays on a different channel, like 68. (yes, they do overlap songs between a variety of channels). Even with engine, road and wind noise factored in you do hear the difference.

Thankfully, my favorite, 71, always seem to play at a higher bitrate.

I have NavTraffic, it's kind of useless though as it only warns you if you set a destination/route, which is kinda cumbersome if all i'm just heading out to work, home or some other typical route. There's also a delay with the traffic reports --- i've noticed reports with the roads completely clear, or the complete opposite of gridlocks but no reports.

Been a customer since late 2002.

 

Wow Really?

My buddy has it in his car with an aftermarket radio from Best Buy and he says its just as good as a CD...

I wonder if it is the XM reciever in our cars. I just dont understand why it drops so much...

I love all the stations and the choices, but I was hoping the quality problem was due to my trial service..

Thanks for the comments...

 

i'm pretty addicted to XM now. trial service is almost over and i will subscribe when they call me post-trial. i hear they're pretty easy to haggle with on the price if you say you want the service but can't afford the full monthly charge.

 

When you re-up, if you're able to haggle them down, post what you get them down to. I could use every extra dollar I could get.

 

i know 2 people who both have been offered service for $5 per month for 6-months and they retain this rate when they call every 6-months. that's what i'm aiming for.

 

^^ I've had them since 05. My most recent offer 6months @ $20 is nice. Since I just got this G last Nov, I had to xfer svc from my previous vehicle. They don't want to loose you so they will deal. They count on folks forgetting their svc is about to expire so they get hit with the renewal at full price. Believe me 90% (not scientific) of folks probably forget. Like hey it's been 11 1/2 months my XM is about to expire.

 

It really varies, i could hear the same song play on one channel, flip to a different channel and it sounds much better.

Comparing to CD is relative, IMHO. Again, because there are well-recorded CD's, and a lot of bad ones.

 

I loooooove my XM! I got the trial version too when I bought my G in 2009. I can't imagine driving without it and I only drive 30 mins a day (to and from work). I haven't noticed a decrease in quality. The only thing that sucks is if you go under a bridge or are surrounded by a lot of foliage, you lose signal but it doesn't last long. I pay yearly and it averages out to be around $12 a month and I only listen to two channels; Area and BPM.

 

I get the $77 dollar deal, it's about $85 after royalty fees taxes, etc. It's worth the $77 but not worth their initial rate they'll offer you IMO (usually somewhere around $145/yr).

 

Good to note all the price differences.. I think it may be worth it at the sub $10 range...

Thanks for your help everyone... I do enjoy the comedy channels and also the3 or 4 channels for each type of music. So the variety helps. But the quailty still has me a bit miffed....