Anyone have satellite radio?

[01TriBlack]

I'm having it installed (along with Kenwood radio/CD player and a 10" sub). If you've got it, where is your antenna mounted? I went with Sirrius (Sirius?) and was told it must be mounted on metal - but I'm thinking it would be okay on the dash. What say you?

 

[Pegasus]

Yes I do and no it doesn't. Ahhh, the benefits of a plastic car! You can mount your antenna inside on the dash if you like but I chose to go inside the rear bumper fascia. This can be done after removing the license plate/backup light assembly (very easy) and the two R/H tailights. You can stick your magnetic based antenna onto a piece of the frame behind the license area and run the cable over to the right rear. If you have a coupe, then just drill a small hole through the fiberglass (from the inside) to run the cable through the bulkhead. If you have an FRC or vert then you can let the antenna cable share the bulkhead grommet with the factory antenna. Using a razorblade, cut a slit into the side of the factory grommet, slide the satellite radio antenna cable (it's really small) down next to the factory radio cable. Use a little black RTV on the slit and reinstall the grommet. Now you can just run the cable forward to your radio. I get excellent satellite reception. Much cleaner install and free from "prying eyes".


Robert

 

[01TriBlack]

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply, Robert. I printed it out to give to the installer. I really appreciate it. :cool

 

[Pegasus]

Anytime. It is really more simple than most people think and just requires the time (labor) to do it. Your installer will have to temporarily remove some of your inside panels/carpeting to run the cable but this is nothing that installers don't deal with all the time anyway. The cable is shielded so there's no problem running it right next to a power wire if they have to. Any questions, just let me know.


Robert

 

[01TriBlack]

Hi, Robert! I gave the sound system installer your instructions and he put the antenna exactly where you said.... not on the dash. Many thanks and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Mary

 

[Pegasus]

You too.

Robert

 

[01TriBlack]

Okay, it sounds like crap. What a waste. And I can't believe out of all the categories of music I thought I'd like that they never seem to have a good song on.... well not one I consider good, anyway.

 

[kdlp]

Yep, I hear ya.... it's kind of like the Springsteen song "57 Channels (and nothin' on). I have a buddy who has XM and I thought it might be better but he said not to bother. If you want what you want, I think the MP3 players are the way to go for fidelity and for having a load of tunes in a small place.


kdlp

 

[01TriBlack]

The installer was saying Sirius supposedly has better sound than XM. Man, it couldn't really get much worse than Sirius. I was told it had CD quality - shyeah, right!

You're right about the MP3 for tunes ya like - that's my next avenue.

 

[Roadster Fan]

I've got XM in my Sierra truck. Sound quality is every bit as good as the cd player, but doesn't have as much power/volume. I don't listen to fm anymore.....other than local morning drive.....as the fm sound quality is so inferior to satellite.

The thing I like most is being able to see the artist/song name on every song playing. I've "discovered" many new artists and never have to wonder "who's singing that song".

I liked it so much, I renewed my subscription for 2 more yrs.

Brett

 

[01TriBlack]

Hi, Brett. Doesn't it sound "tinny"? Mine does. I can adjust it, I would just prefer not to have to mess with the levels all the time - these newfangled decks don't make it easy.

 

[Roadster Fan]

Hey Mary, no, it doesn't sound tinny whatsoever. Keep in mind, this is my truck and not the vette. But it is the same bose system, I believe.


I'm thinking you might be getting some interference somewhere. I would take the vette back to your installer and ask him if the sound quality is up to par with his other installs. I had the XM as an option when I ordered my truck last fall. I was just looking for some music alternatives rather than the standard crap on fm. But the sound quality just blew me away. I honestly can't tell the difference between XM and a cd. However, listening to fm radio vs XM satellite is like listening to an old album vs a cd......night and day ;worship


As far as having "57 channels and nothins' on"....it all depends on your interests. If you only prefer one type of music, then you may be disappointed in having only a couple stations to choose from. Personally, I have a wide range of music I listen to - rock, reggae, R & B, blues, hard rock, indie labels, alternative.....depending on my present mood or the mood I'm trying to get into. If nothing catches my interest on the 15 or so channels I surf, then I'll listen to some R rated comedy and laugh my ass off (my 15 yr old daughters personal favorite). Since I've had the XM, I've been impressing my 13 yr old daughter with my knowledge of her music.....not that I like much of it, but I keep up with songs and artists. I always use to quiz her on who was singing the music I liked and she got pretty good at recognizing the artists. Now we do it with the top 20 station.....her music....and have a game "name the artist". She gets mad when I beat her and calls me a cheater now. She found out that while I'm out and about, I often check in on her station for a few seconds to get to know the songs/artists. We'll even sit in the driveway waiting for the next song to break a tie. Kids are :cool

Brett

 

[01TriBlack]

Awwwwwwwwww, Brett! What a great relationship you've got with your daughter. Thanks for sharing - it made me .

I had the car back in because of some "feedback" (I don't know what it's called) when switching between CD tracks (I could hear the sub) and to upgrade the Kenwood I had put in two weeks ago. The installer listened to the satellite radio and said, Yep! That's what they all sound like. He's not pleased with the sound, either - but said between Sirius and XM that Sirius has a little better sound. I may be nitpicky, though.... I've always liked the bass a little heavy.



Mary

 

[kdlp]

OK, not to belabor the "57 Channels" aspect of XM and Sirius too much, here's my basic complaint: The very same people who turned "underground radio", the late 60's/early 70's radio that was an adventure to listen to, into "formulaic radio" are running both XM & Sirius programming departments. When XM and Sirius were lining up their personel, they raided commercial radio for their programming talent. What I was hoping for was a channel or two (among the 500 or so) that might allow an announcer to say what they wanted and play what they wanted. Every format (channel) seems to offer the carefully auditorium tested music (specific to format) that commercial FM offers. Believe it or not, there was a time when announcers could segue and talk there way from a country sounding Flying Burrito Bros. track right into Hendrix psycho rock track and make it all make sense. (And no, I wasn't on drugs.) It was a SHOW, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONALITY! And you know what, I don't remember anyone being fined for obscenity.

And regarding "fidelity". Sometime in the very near future (it's testing right now) AM radio and FM radio will be digitized. You won't be able to tell the two apart and if you have any reception of the station at all, it will be digitally crisp. I know tests are underway in New York right now. No doubt it will be necessary to upgrade head units when it becomes widely available.

I still hope that once XM and Sirius get profitable, they'll get more "sirius" (sorry) about offering better variety.

kdlp

 

[Pegasus]

Not sure if it's any help here, but I replaced my rear speakers with a pair of Boston Acoustic co-axials for better mid-range and high frequencies. I also have a 10" sub-woofer in the trunk too. I left my door speakers stock for now. I'm very happy with my XM sound quality. Not "tinny" in the least.


Robert

 

[01TriBlack]

OK, not to belabor the "57 Channels" aspect of XM and Sirius too much, here's my basic complaint: The very same people who turned "underground radio", the late 60's/early 70's radio that was an adventure to listen to, into "formulaic radio" are running both XM & Sirius programming departments. When XM and Sirius were lining up their personel, they raided commercial radio for their programming talent. What I was hoping for was a channel or two (among the 500 or so) that might allow an announcer to say what they wanted and play what they wanted. Every format (channel) seems to offer the carefully auditorium tested music (specific to format) that commercial FM offers. Believe it or not, there was a time when announcers could segue and talk there way from a country sounding Flying Burrito Bros. track right into Hendrix psycho rock track and make it all make sense. (And no, I wasn't on drugs.) It was a SHOW, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONALITY! And you know what, I don't remember anyone being fined for obscenity.

And regarding "fidelity". Sometime in the very near future (it's testing right now) AM radio and FM radio will be digitized. You won't be able to tell the two apart and if you have any reception of the station at all, it will be digitally crisp. I know tests are underway in New York right now. No doubt it will be necessary to upgrade head units when it becomes widely available.

I still hope that once XM and Sirius get profitable, they'll get more "sirius" (sorry) about offering better variety.

kdlp

Hmmmm....very, very interesting perspective and food for thought. I enjoyed your post, kdlp. Thanks!

 

[01TriBlack]

Not sure if it's any help here, but I replaced my rear speakers with a pair of Boston Acoustic co-axials for better mid-range and high frequencies. I also have a 10" sub-woofer in the trunk too. I left my door speakers stock for now. I'm very happy with my XM sound quality. Not "tinny" in the least.


Robert

Robert, I'm glad you brought the speakers up. I was wondering about that. I wrote down what kind you got for the rear. Thanks. You're turning into my sound system advisor. Hehehehehe.

 

[Pegasus]

Glad to help. Speaker upgrades are pretty much always a good thing to consider, especially the rears. If you're where you can do it I would recommend a sub-woofer be added too. I'm using a JL Audio 10" in their "stealthbox" enclosure with one of their amplifiers to drive it. Regardless of who's brand you might pick though, a good quality sub-woofer really helps a lot.


Robert

 

[01TriBlack]

I got a sub and amp when I changed out to a Kenwood. My nephew, who's somewhat of an audiophile, was impressed with the sub and amp I got - in fact, he got the sub for me... can't remember the brand. The audio store said it was top of the line, yet they didn't carry it. It's a 10". They really didn't think I needed to change stock speakers out, though. BUT! They did say if I wasn't pleased with the sound that the speakers would be something to consider. I'm glad you mentioned the rears, because that's all I'd go with for the timebeing. Oh...I had them upgrade the Kenwood a week after the initial install to a model I could separately control the sub - the first one they installed, you couldn't....and they mentioned the possibility of blowing out the stock speakers. :confused

 

[Pegasus]

Sounds like you've been busy already. As far as the rear speakers, I think that whatever quality brand you go with, I would make sure that they are of a co-axial type as they are much better suited to reproducing the mid-range and high frequencies than the factory stock single cone type. I think you'll really notice a big improvement!


Robert