Gregster Report post Posted January 18, 2010 (edited) I was enjoying the wide variety of music available on the free 6 month Sirius subscription but the overall sound quality is a disappointment. Local FM stations are clearer and cleaner sounding. The Sirius audio sounds like a lower bit-rate stream (less than 96kbs). I signed up for the 7-day trial for the Sirius Internet feed at 128kbs and it sounds great on my computer compared to the car. Has anyone else experienced this? I guess I was expecting better sound on the car system, considering the monthly charge. Edited January 18, 2010 by Gregster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FtLewis2002 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 Sirius sounds like you're inside a can, stuffed with cotton. I would never pay for it, but my wife liked it so I bought a lifetime for her Edge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fusionff Report post Posted January 19, 2010 With my stereo, I feel like Sirius sounds better than FM Stations. Crystal clear and cranks up pretty damn good for stock equipment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
svtenthusiast Report post Posted January 19, 2010 Sounds terrible on the 12 speaker sony system in my car, you can hear digital compression artifacts like crazy on certain songs. I am embarrassed that I paid for another year of this crap, even at the reduced rate I got. I hope Ford releases a HD radio retrofit that uses the existing Sirus interface so I can go to that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akirby Report post Posted January 19, 2010 It also depends on the channel and the quality of the original audio recording. I found that a lot of the pre-80's channels sounded terrible from time to time and it was mostly due to the quality of the original audio recording. I'm sure they also vary the compression by channel and possibly by time of day. It's the same issue we had with cable and satellite HDTV (compressed to varying degrees due to limited bandwidth) compared to local broadcast HDTV (without multi-casting). I'm sure Sirius is a bit cleaner but FM is probably higher bandwidth most of the time. That said, it's good enough for me. If I want higher quality I'll use audio cds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FtLewis2002 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 It also depends on the channel and the quality of the original audio recording. I found that a lot of the pre-80's channels sounded terrible from time to time and it was mostly due to the quality of the original audio recording. I'm sure they also vary the compression by channel and possibly by time of day. It's the same issue we had with cable and satellite HDTV (compressed to varying degrees due to limited bandwidth) compared to local broadcast HDTV (without multi-casting). I'm sure Sirius is a bit cleaner but FM is probably higher bandwidth most of the time. That said, it's good enough for me. If I want higher quality I'll use audio cds. Yes, Sirius admits compressing certain channels more than others based upon which they think is most popular...I use my iPod, so I've got a little over 6000 CD's to choose from. Remembering them all can be trying... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howie411 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 Yes, Sirius admits compressing certain channels more than others based upon which they think is most popular...I use my iPod, so I've got a little over 6000 CD's to choose from. Remembering them all can be trying... Prior to Sirius I had XM for 8 years (2 cars and 1 portable receiver) and both the quality and signal was 100x better. if I go under the tiniest bridge with my it cuts out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FtLewis2002 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 Prior to Sirius I had XM for 8 years (2 cars and 1 portable receiver) and both the quality and signal was 100x better. if I go under the tiniest bridge with my it cuts out. I've never heard XM, so I couldn't say if it was any better or not. I haven't driven a GM product since 1980, and never will again. Just my stance on GM. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ravenzfusion Report post Posted January 22, 2010 i had xm for 6 years. was great for the first 2 til they started compressing channels. i canceled. now i have the free 6 month in my fusion sport. i will not renew it.i use slacker radio instead. once i get a blackberry you can stream it over the bluetooth in sync equipped cars. or any bluetooth equipped stereo in general. slacker.com free and way better than pandora. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregster Report post Posted January 23, 2010 Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad the poor sound is not my stereo's fault. What a shame it doesn't sound better. I have no problem getting the signal but I won't be renewing after the 6 months is up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2010SportAWD Report post Posted January 23, 2010 In my '10 Fusion Sport with the Sony system, Sirius sounds awful. The "tin can with cotton" effect as others mentioned. But in my company's '10 Fusion SEL with the standard stereo, it sounds great, even better than FM. I have no idea why. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ravenzfusion Report post Posted February 12, 2010 In my '10 Fusion Sport with the Sony system, Sirius sounds awful. The "tin can with cotton" effect as others mentioned. But in my company's '10 Fusion SEL with the standard stereo, it sounds great, even better than FM. I have no idea why. its because any audiophile system really uncovers the flaws in the low bandwidth for each music channel on sirius/xm if i play a 320kb/s mp3 and a 128 kb/s mp3 on my car stereo i built on my other car you can hear the flaws. if i play them on a stock radio you cant tell the difference. sirius sounds like a 64kb/s mp3 horrible sound quality... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
