Sirius Satellite Poor Quality
#11
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lorette Manitoba
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had sirius since '09 and quality is not that bad IMO, Better reception in Canada (JK)
Between my Wife and I we listen to about a dozen stations as we like a broad spectrum of music.
We love our Satellite and plan on getting another for in the house and other vehicles.
Ya it has dropped out on occasion but still beats stupid ass DJ's and crappy commercials.
Between my Wife and I we listen to about a dozen stations as we like a broad spectrum of music.
We love our Satellite and plan on getting another for in the house and other vehicles.
Ya it has dropped out on occasion but still beats stupid ass DJ's and crappy commercials.
#12
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mine cuts out anytime I pass under a shadow, but its nice to get a new set of music. My wife likes it enough that she wants a radio for her car for xmas. Personally I don't think it's worth spending the money on, but eh. It's at least nice to get music that isn't censored without having to spend the time to download it
#13
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: O'Fallon, IL
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have found sat radio to be a shady operation in every way. First of all, they will automatically deduct payment every time unless you go in and switch that function off, which is a PITA to do. Then, after your subscription is up and you tell them you won't be resubscribing, they turn around and offer the same thing at half price. If you take that offer (BTW why don't they just offer that price all thhe time and have more subscribers??), then they tack on all kids of royalty fees and other hidden costs. It's BS. Couple that with the shallow depth playlists and the sub par sound, and I'm about ready to quit for good. It was a good idea whose time has passed. I can dial up slacker radio or any number of free stuff on my phone.
#14
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had XM or Sirius in my cars since 2005 and I am pretty satisfied with it. Though to be honest I pretty much only listen to Stern and maybe 2 other channels.
#15
I didn't renew after my trial ended.
I couldn't stand the quality of the feed.
It sounded like the music was being beamed from a soup can.
Also, in my wrangler, there was a 3-4 second delay every time I changed the channels (sometimes it would be as high as 7 or 8 seconds).
That might not seem like much, but it wore on me and became quite annoying.
The guys I work with all have Sat radio, and none of them have the MASSIVE delay when changing channels.
I couldn't stand it. Ipod + Spotify (premium) "fixed" my problem.
I couldn't stand the quality of the feed.
It sounded like the music was being beamed from a soup can.
Also, in my wrangler, there was a 3-4 second delay every time I changed the channels (sometimes it would be as high as 7 or 8 seconds).
That might not seem like much, but it wore on me and became quite annoying.
The guys I work with all have Sat radio, and none of them have the MASSIVE delay when changing channels.
I couldn't stand it. Ipod + Spotify (premium) "fixed" my problem.
#16
JK Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Huber Heights, OH
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ive noticed when I first switch to satellite the audio is the suck.
Leave it on SAT for 20 mins or so and the quality gets much better.
All things considered, I still dont think its worth paying for.
Leave it on SAT for 20 mins or so and the quality gets much better.
All things considered, I still dont think its worth paying for.
#17
Super Moderator
You guys are absolutely right. I did a study awhile back and analyzed the quality of the audio of Sirius and it was mostly Mono and equivalent to about a 128kbs MP3 file....but since it's mostly mono, that actually makes it equivalent to a 64kbs Mono MP3 file.
I did not renew my subscription, I only liked a couple stations and the sound quality sucked, and that's what I told the rep when they called me to renew.
FYI....the reason the sound quality sucks is that the more stations they try to add, the more they have to limit the bit rate for each station. They're directly proportionate. So if they add more content to appeal to a wider audience, the quality is affected negatively. If they reduced the number of available stations, then they could make it CD quality.
The one thing I do like about Sirius is their data services which is separate from their radio services. So you can get real time traffic information, Sports scores, gas prices..etc. I'm sure with those services added, that probably makes the audio take another drop in quality though.
I'll have to dig around and see if I can find my data of when I did my study and post it, where I can show you how Sirius audio quality compares to CD quality. Put it this way....FM radio audio quality is much closer to CD quality than Sirius is. The only good thing I find about Sirius radio is that you don't have to keep changing stations when traveling long distances
I did not renew my subscription, I only liked a couple stations and the sound quality sucked, and that's what I told the rep when they called me to renew.
FYI....the reason the sound quality sucks is that the more stations they try to add, the more they have to limit the bit rate for each station. They're directly proportionate. So if they add more content to appeal to a wider audience, the quality is affected negatively. If they reduced the number of available stations, then they could make it CD quality.
The one thing I do like about Sirius is their data services which is separate from their radio services. So you can get real time traffic information, Sports scores, gas prices..etc. I'm sure with those services added, that probably makes the audio take another drop in quality though.
I'll have to dig around and see if I can find my data of when I did my study and post it, where I can show you how Sirius audio quality compares to CD quality. Put it this way....FM radio audio quality is much closer to CD quality than Sirius is. The only good thing I find about Sirius radio is that you don't have to keep changing stations when traveling long distances
Last edited by Rednroll; 11-11-2011 at 06:36 AM.
#20
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: On the trap line
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the sound quality sucks. Big time. I cancelled both my Sirius radios 2 months ago, and when asked why I told them their broadcast quality is garbage. They didn't argue, but did try to get me to buy a new radio at a big discount!!?? A 2GB iPOD is $50 up here at Future shop. Money better spent as far as I'm concerned.