Sound quality with XM radio?
06-01-2009, 11:01 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-07-2009
Location: Denver
Posts: 58
Sound quality with XM radio?
I think the HHR has a pretty decent stereo, better than in my last car (a Hyundai Sonata) and WAY better than in my Mazda 6. My iPod and CDs sound particularly good in my opinion, with nice stereo separation and nice punchy bass, without being to "boomy". I've noticed however that some of the XM radio stations have pretty crappy sound, particularly XM8, the 80s station. It's sounds very dull and flat, almost like it's not even broadcast in stereo. Many of the same songs are also played on "The Blend" and "The Bridge", and they sound much better on those stations. "BPM" and "Area" sound very good too, but "Watercolors", the soft jazz station, always sounds way to "bassy", and I have to turn down the bass. Has anyone else noticed inconsistencies with audio quality on XM, or is it just me?
06-02-2009, 06:28 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-18-2009
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 129
xm quality
I agree. I canceled my xm because of the sound quality and thats after I deadened the interior and replaced all the speakers with JL. They simply put in to much compression so they can fit in more stations. I run audio for my church and work in the AV industry so I tend to be a little more critical of audio quality.
06-02-2009, 09:58 AM
#5
Member
Join Date: 07-20-2008
Location: Hudson Valley NY
Posts: 63
I've been an XM subscriber for 4 years now and I've never been impressed by their sound quality. It thought it might get better when the supposedly upgraded and upped their subscription charges...but I haven't heard any noticable difference. I still like the programming choices on XM though I think they made a mistake early on signing up a bunch of celebrities in the hope of attracting listeners. I'd prefer to just have choices in genres of music (commercial free) and skip all the other crap. It would certainly hold the price down! They should offer a very basic music subscription for $4.99 a month for up to 3 radios. That would attract listeners. Sorry...took a little tangent there!
06-03-2009, 07:03 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-21-2006
Location: Ft Walton Bch FL
Posts: 1,708
I agree that the XM sound quality is sub-par. It always sounds like they're in a a long tunnel. Other stations sound great on my HHR stereo so it must be XM. I rely on XM while on long trips and have often been disappointed.
06-03-2009, 07:22 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-26-2008
Location: Sparta, NJ, USA
Posts: 133
I agree. I get much better sound from my Ipod. Also, I am my own program director, and listen to exactly what I want to hear.
As XM is commercial-free, I wish it were D.J.-Free, as well. There's no way I'm going to pay for the mindless chatter of second rate DJs who endlessly plug their own station / channel.
When the trial subscription is up...
Good-bye
As XM is commercial-free, I wish it were D.J.-Free, as well. There's no way I'm going to pay for the mindless chatter of second rate DJs who endlessly plug their own station / channel.
When the trial subscription is up...
Good-bye
06-03-2009, 07:37 AM
#8
New Member
Join Date: 12-21-2008
Location: ohio
Posts: 18
I have the IPod hooked up and I don't miss the XM or the bill that comes with it.
Talking.... It drives me nuts!!!!
I'm paying for music, not "Dusty Street" prattling on about how many times she has seen the Stones or can't remember the 60's...
06-04-2009, 02:05 PM
#10
Member
Join Date: 11-28-2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 93