- In this report
- Overview
- Satellite radio
- HD Radio
- iPod & connectivity
- Car stereo upgrades
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May 2008
Satellite radio
Satellite radio has several advantages over conventional AM and FM stations:
In addition, according to a Consumer Reports survey, satellite radio users express a high level of satisfaction with their services.
The downside is that you have to pay a monthly fee for it. If your radio isn’t already set up for satellite reception, you’ll also need to buy compatible hardware, which can be relatively expensive and may not provide CD-quality music. And while the services broadcast nationwide, the satellite signal can be blocked by tunnels, overpasses, large buildings, mountains, and even trees, causing dropouts in the programming.
Choosing a service. There are two companies offering satellite radio, Sirius and XM. Both charge $12.95 a month for a subscription. (At press time, the two were awaiting approval to merge, which could change their prices and programming.)
Generally, the two services broadcast similar content, covering a broad range of interests. Sirius has more than 130 programming channels, with 69 commercial-free music channels. XM offers some 170 stations, including over 70 commercial-free music channels.
The music channels are remarkably diverse, exploring not only genres but also multiple subgenres. For example, Sirius has more than 20 channels listed under “rock.” Similarly, XM lists seven country music stations, including traditional, bluegrass, and new hits. With such a wide range of programming options, most people should find satisfying content on either service. You can review all of the programming choices at each company’s Web site, at www.sirius.com and www.xmradio.com.
Sports could be one reason to choose a service. Only Sirius broadcasts National Football League and National Basketball Association games and NASCAR races, while XM offers coverage of Major League Baseball and National Hockey League games.
Buying the hardware. If you’re shopping for a new car, you’ll find numerous models with optional satellite-capable radios, often with a starter subscription—from three months to a year—included in the car’s purchase price. But you may have little choice about which service you get. Most carmakers have partnered with either Sirius or XM and offer receivers designed to work only with one or the other.
If you prefer the service that’s offered, you’re in luck. But if, say, you’re buying a Volvo and want XM, a compatible receiver won’t be available from the factory. Even if a manufacturer offers both, you’ll have to choose one when you buy the car.
Sirius radios are offered as a factory- or dealer-installed feature by Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, and Volvo. XM receivers are available on General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, and Suzuki vehicles.
Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, and Toyota offer a choice of either.
If you want to add satellite radio to a car not originally equipped with it, you have several options. You can buy:
Sirius programs can be tuned in with Directed Electronics or Sirius-branded aftermarket car radios, on sale from $50 to $170;
for XM reception, Audiovox, Delphi, Pioneer, and XM-labeled aftermarket receivers are $70 to $200. Some of the newest models
include GPS navigation features.
But not all vehicles can accommodate an aftermarket head unit. Even if it can be installed in the dashboard, you may lose some functionality, such as steering wheel radio controls or station/track displays.
There are currently nine Sirius plug-and-play models from $20 to $170; the nine XM models cost from $40 to $180.
Satellite radio is not just for the car. There are several ways to listen to it at home. (Prices are based on the Sirius and XM Web sites and can vary among retailers.)
With a tuner (and antenna) you can add satellite radio to your current entertainment system or home theater. XM’s mini-tuner and docking kit is $60; the five Sirius-branded home-tuner models sell for $50 to $270.
A handheld portable lets you listen anywhere through headphones or a nearby FM radio. If you don’t get reception in a particular area, you can play recorded broadcasts. Sirius offers three portable models, from $150 to $330. There are several handheld models for XM, priced from $200 to $300.
You can add any of the above receivers to an existing account for $6.99 per month. The one-time activation charge for each receiver added is $10 online or $15 by phone.
Sirius and XM also let subscribers stream broadcasts from their Web sites using any Internet-enabled computer. XM charges $7.99 monthly for Internet-only access; Sirius collects the regular $12.95 a month fee.
- It’s broadcast over clear, static-free digital signals from orbiting satellites.
- You can receive the same radio content virtually anywhere you drive throughout the U.S. and Canada without ever losing a station
by going out of range.
- Satellite providers have a huge assortment of channels for varied tastes, and you’re more likely to find music that’s out
of the mainstream. Sports, news, traffic, weather, and comedy programming are also available.
The downside is that you have to pay a monthly fee for it. If your radio isn’t already set up for satellite reception, you’ll also need to buy compatible hardware, which can be relatively expensive and may not provide CD-quality music. And while the services broadcast nationwide, the satellite signal can be blocked by tunnels, overpasses, large buildings, mountains, and even trees, causing dropouts in the programming.
Choosing a service. There are two companies offering satellite radio, Sirius and XM. Both charge $12.95 a month for a subscription. (At press time, the two were awaiting approval to merge, which could change their prices and programming.)
Generally, the two services broadcast similar content, covering a broad range of interests. Sirius has more than 130 programming channels, with 69 commercial-free music channels. XM offers some 170 stations, including over 70 commercial-free music channels.
The music channels are remarkably diverse, exploring not only genres but also multiple subgenres. For example, Sirius has more than 20 channels listed under “rock.” Similarly, XM lists seven country music stations, including traditional, bluegrass, and new hits. With such a wide range of programming options, most people should find satisfying content on either service. You can review all of the programming choices at each company’s Web site, at www.sirius.com and www.xmradio.com.
Sports could be one reason to choose a service. Only Sirius broadcasts National Football League and National Basketball Association games and NASCAR races, while XM offers coverage of Major League Baseball and National Hockey League games.
Buying the hardware. If you’re shopping for a new car, you’ll find numerous models with optional satellite-capable radios, often with a starter subscription—from three months to a year—included in the car’s purchase price. But you may have little choice about which service you get. Most carmakers have partnered with either Sirius or XM and offer receivers designed to work only with one or the other.
If you prefer the service that’s offered, you’re in luck. But if, say, you’re buying a Volvo and want XM, a compatible receiver won’t be available from the factory. Even if a manufacturer offers both, you’ll have to choose one when you buy the car.
Sirius radios are offered as a factory- or dealer-installed feature by Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, and Volvo. XM receivers are available on General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, and Suzuki vehicles.
Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, and Toyota offer a choice of either.
If you want to add satellite radio to a car not originally equipped with it, you have several options. You can buy:
- A receiver that connects directly to a factory-installed audio system. The tuner usually sits in the car’s trunk.
- A complete in-dash head unit.
- A dock-and-play model that can be shuttled between car and home and installed easily in minutes.
But not all vehicles can accommodate an aftermarket head unit. Even if it can be installed in the dashboard, you may lose some functionality, such as steering wheel radio controls or station/track displays.
There are currently nine Sirius plug-and-play models from $20 to $170; the nine XM models cost from $40 to $180.
Satellite radio is not just for the car. There are several ways to listen to it at home. (Prices are based on the Sirius and XM Web sites and can vary among retailers.)
With a tuner (and antenna) you can add satellite radio to your current entertainment system or home theater. XM’s mini-tuner and docking kit is $60; the five Sirius-branded home-tuner models sell for $50 to $270.
A handheld portable lets you listen anywhere through headphones or a nearby FM radio. If you don’t get reception in a particular area, you can play recorded broadcasts. Sirius offers three portable models, from $150 to $330. There are several handheld models for XM, priced from $200 to $300.
You can add any of the above receivers to an existing account for $6.99 per month. The one-time activation charge for each receiver added is $10 online or $15 by phone.
Sirius and XM also let subscribers stream broadcasts from their Web sites using any Internet-enabled computer. XM charges $7.99 monthly for Internet-only access; Sirius collects the regular $12.95 a month fee.
