The local radio stations in my area SUCK! The top 40 stations are nothing but horrible pop songs w/ techno beats & the 1 hip hop station seems to play 90% R&B. It's sad but the only radio station I really listen to in the car is classic rock, mainly because it's the only station w/out a commercial every other song.

So is XM radio worth the money?

Is the quality really better than FM? Better than just listening to Pandora on my iPhone?

 

Yeah it's better, but have you thought about HD Radio? Free, no subscriptions, extra stations, better (digital) reception...

 

Pandora?

edit: just saw you mentioned that already lol

 

streaming internet "radio" over cell phone data network

http://www.pandora.com/

 

I stream it to this over blue tooth and its pretty much all i listen to

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HxfTSDR...X-S310BTX.html

 

I like Pandora but the quality isnt cd quality. Also on long trips I'd like some talk radio stations (sports, etc)

 

XM/Sirius radio is something I would like to get for my car. I've been in and driven several cars with sat radio, and I like the channel choices. The comedy channel is funny to listen to since it's not censored. And when you're on a road trip, you can leave it on whatever station you like since you don't lose a signal.

 

It's definitely worth it. The one thing about SiriusXM, there is always something to listen to! You could have cable tv or satellite tv with all the channels, and end up channel surfing with nothing to watch. Sometimes you don't know where to go on the siriusxm because there is always stuff to listen to. 80's, 90's, top 20, all dance, all electronica, hairbands, heavy metal, old school rap, new rap, r&b...then if you're into classical music or 50's, 60's, it's there. I also love that I can get any bulls, bears, cubs, blackhawks game and it won't be crap AM reception...it's good reception. No commercials (obviously the sports channels have them on time outs or between quarters but the music channels don't), unlimited use, no streaming issues, and the sound quality is excellent if you do a direct connect. I could never go back to regular radio. Plus, you get the Stern show which is always great, especially his interviews.

I almost sound like an ad for them here! It's really good, and when you call them ALWAYS negotiate. I got 2 cars and internet access for $250 for the year, and that is all XM with the best of Sirius so I got all the channels. $20/month is more than worth it for both cars and the internet (internet lets me use my iPhone app when running or working out), even $25/month is because regular radio SUCKS.

 

I have had sirius for about 5 years now. I pay about 70 per year for everything. Keep speaking to managment and threatning to quit and they will keep offering you better deals to stay.

 

Well worth the money. I drive alot so i always have something to listen to

 

When I bought my G coupe, the PO had SiriusXM installed from the factory. He was going to leave the subscription on until it ran out, and I thought, "Heck, I'll just use it till it does, and then go back to my iPod."

Wrong. I got used to having it, ended up liking it, and ultimately ended up renewing the subscription for the year.

And yes, the quality is far, far better than that of FM. There's one SiriusXM station (Channel 57) that broadcasts out of Nashville. Flipping between the actual FM station and the XM station is like night and day.

 

I have 2 sirius units in my vehicles (both with lifetime subscriptions) and have XM in another. I almost NEVER listen to regular radio.

 

this is true about pandora, some song are not good quality and that poor quality gets lost when its transfered through the aux cable. but either way i'm not one that likes the BOOM nor BUMP, so as long as i can hear it its good enough for me lol

 

The only downfall to XM is if you want to get any other units (e.g.: a portable for your house so that you can take it outside of your car), you have to pay an extra amount per month.

I'm sure there's a way to talk them out of the extra charges, though.

 

Not with Sirius