Love BPM 
Satellite Radio sound quality
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 152
From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Satellite Radio sound quality
If this is the wrong sub-forum please let me know.
I have a 2013 C63 with the up-optioned sound system and navigation screen. The vehicle came with a Sirius/XM subscription and I rather enjoy it. Never had satellite radio before.
My only qualm is the sound quality/clarity. It seems to not be quite as good as "HD" FM stations, and is definitely not as clear as CD, iPod/AUX, or even Bluetooth.
Is this something that can be improved with some sort of receiver upgrade, or is that just the nature of the beast?
I really like my music, and up-optioned Benz audio systems are the only ones I don't find myself completely tearing out and replacing with RFs and Pioneers after a month!
Thanks for looking!
I have a 2013 C63 with the up-optioned sound system and navigation screen. The vehicle came with a Sirius/XM subscription and I rather enjoy it. Never had satellite radio before.
My only qualm is the sound quality/clarity. It seems to not be quite as good as "HD" FM stations, and is definitely not as clear as CD, iPod/AUX, or even Bluetooth.
Is this something that can be improved with some sort of receiver upgrade, or is that just the nature of the beast?
I really like my music, and up-optioned Benz audio systems are the only ones I don't find myself completely tearing out and replacing with RFs and Pioneers after a month!
Thanks for looking!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 482
Likes: 125
From: Las Vegas, NV
2014 C63 Coupe
That’s the nature of the bandwidth limitations of beaming stuff from space unfortunately. I do love the commercial free programming and since there are plenty of places I drive through with intermittently crappy or non-existent cell coverage, it’s a must have.
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 230
Likes: 46
2013 C63 AMG Sedan
@G_Money,
Sirius/XM is not the tune your supposed to be listening to in a 6.3L Monster V8..kidding
I have the same car with the HK setup, have you tried adjusting the settings/surround? Happy all except BT which I haven't tried. If you go aftermarket please keep us posted
Sirius/XM is not the tune your supposed to be listening to in a 6.3L Monster V8..kidding
I have the same car with the HK setup, have you tried adjusting the settings/surround? Happy all except BT which I haven't tried. If you go aftermarket please keep us posted
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 93
C63 AMG
I keep subscribing but this will be my last full year as I have moved over to Pandora Premium. The Sirius XM bitrate is so low (something like 8kbps to 64kbps depending upon the channel) that the sound quality for music is really poor. Sirius XM is useful for some things but not for extended listening to any kind of music IMHO.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 152
From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
I keep subscribing but this will be my last full year as I have moved over to Pandora Premium. The Sirius XM bitrate is so low (something like 8kbps to 64kbps depending upon the channel) that the sound quality for music is really poor. Sirius XM is useful for some things but not for extended listening to any kind of music IMHO.
So to confirm, that's 64kbps is the maximum that XM actually broadcasts? I guess that leaves pretty much no hope for improved clarity =/ Lame...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,899
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C63 AMG
I do use Pandora and Spotify, and even YouTube, a lot where I can. But like LudeDude, my travels often put me in areas with little to no cell coverage unfortunately.
So to confirm, that's 64kbps is the maximum that XM actually broadcasts? I guess that leaves pretty much no hope for improved clarity =/ Lame...
So to confirm, that's 64kbps is the maximum that XM actually broadcasts? I guess that leaves pretty much no hope for improved clarity =/ Lame...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 93
C63 AMG
I've compared Sirius XM on Ch 51 BPM with the same songs at 64kbps MP3 played from one of my iPod nano's, preamp out. The iPod definitely sounds better. (My iPod music is normally 256kbps AAC, 320kbps MP3 or Apple Lossless).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
I have this too and had the free subscription for 30 days. The only thing for me is the ease of changing channels with the hardware provided.
I listen to the BBC live through the Media interface otherwise.
I prefer to use the subscription money for Mercedes Me, which provides an insurance reduction and possible practical advantages too. For people with newer cars like a 2014 and such, you may get remote start via smartphone too.
I listen to the BBC live through the Media interface otherwise.
I prefer to use the subscription money for Mercedes Me, which provides an insurance reduction and possible practical advantages too. For people with newer cars like a 2014 and such, you may get remote start via smartphone too.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 152
From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
I have this too and had the free subscription for 30 days. The only thing for me is the ease of changing channels with the hardware provided.
I listen to the BBC live through the Media interface otherwise.
I prefer to use the subscription money for Mercedes Me, which provides an insurance reduction and possible practical advantages too. For people with newer cars like a 2014 and such, you may get remote start via smartphone too.
I listen to the BBC live through the Media interface otherwise.
I prefer to use the subscription money for Mercedes Me, which provides an insurance reduction and possible practical advantages too. For people with newer cars like a 2014 and such, you may get remote start via smartphone too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
I know of the negative reviews and had the negative experience too, which matched what is written.
However my decision to subscribe was based on me having peace of mind with the included LoJack feature.
But roughly 7 months into my subscription came a huge revision of the ap. To figure exactly when look for a thread that I've started.
Since this revision, the ap became stable and I have no complaints.
However, the disclaimer is that in the case of my car a remote start is not offered. So I am not able to review for you how reliable the remote start is as compared with how it was.
But the locate my car feature and the lock and unlock are good.
Also, a justified complaint about the old ap was that the track my car feature was limited to 3 miles. Since the ap revision I can locate my car from work, more than 20 Miles away.
The introductory membership is free so if this seems to not work for you, you can cancel.
I just renewed for second year.
Also I tried the in car features which are now active (the information button road side assistance and sos) I tried the information button on a Sunday to ask someone about hw size of winter tires. I didn't really get a technical answer, but hey someone did pick up the phone and told me that they can answer most owner manual questions.
However my decision to subscribe was based on me having peace of mind with the included LoJack feature.
But roughly 7 months into my subscription came a huge revision of the ap. To figure exactly when look for a thread that I've started.
Since this revision, the ap became stable and I have no complaints.
However, the disclaimer is that in the case of my car a remote start is not offered. So I am not able to review for you how reliable the remote start is as compared with how it was.
But the locate my car feature and the lock and unlock are good.
Also, a justified complaint about the old ap was that the track my car feature was limited to 3 miles. Since the ap revision I can locate my car from work, more than 20 Miles away.
The introductory membership is free so if this seems to not work for you, you can cancel.
I just renewed for second year.
Also I tried the in car features which are now active (the information button road side assistance and sos) I tried the information button on a Sunday to ask someone about hw size of winter tires. I didn't really get a technical answer, but hey someone did pick up the phone and told me that they can answer most owner manual questions.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 41
From: DFW Texas
C63 AMG Black Series
I know of the negative reviews and had the negative experience too, which matched what is written.
However my decision to subscribe was based on me having peace of mind with the included LoJack feature.
But roughly 7 months into my subscription came a huge revision of the ap. To figure exactly when look for a thread that I've started.
Since this revision, the ap became stable and I have no complaints.
However, the disclaimer is that in the case of my car a remote start is not offered. So I am not able to review for you how reliable the remote start is as compared with how it was.
But the locate my car feature and the lock and unlock are good.
Also, a justified complaint about the old ap was that the track my car feature was limited to 3 miles. Since the ap revision I can locate my car from work, more than 20 Miles away.
The introductory membership is free so if this seems to not work for you, you can cancel.
I just renewed for second year.
Also I tried the in car features which are now active (the information button road side assistance and sos) I tried the information button on a Sunday to ask someone about hw size of winter tires. I didn't really get a technical answer, but hey someone did pick up the phone and told me that they can answer most owner manual questions.
However my decision to subscribe was based on me having peace of mind with the included LoJack feature.
But roughly 7 months into my subscription came a huge revision of the ap. To figure exactly when look for a thread that I've started.
Since this revision, the ap became stable and I have no complaints.
However, the disclaimer is that in the case of my car a remote start is not offered. So I am not able to review for you how reliable the remote start is as compared with how it was.
But the locate my car feature and the lock and unlock are good.
Also, a justified complaint about the old ap was that the track my car feature was limited to 3 miles. Since the ap revision I can locate my car from work, more than 20 Miles away.
The introductory membership is free so if this seems to not work for you, you can cancel.
I just renewed for second year.
Also I tried the in car features which are now active (the information button road side assistance and sos) I tried the information button on a Sunday to ask someone about hw size of winter tires. I didn't really get a technical answer, but hey someone did pick up the phone and told me that they can answer most owner manual questions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
on a 2010 you have to go to the dealer. They change the firmware in your Teleaid system and convert it into Mercedes me. This may or may not be free. For me it was. Once the conversion is complete, you get a phone number and there's a person to walk you through the activation process on the line.
On your Black Series (probably a 2012), try from the Mercedes USA page to go to Mercedes me and there should be a phone number for activation, as well as a statement of how it's for free for this or that duration.
On your Black Series (probably a 2012), try from the Mercedes USA page to go to Mercedes me and there should be a phone number for activation, as well as a statement of how it's for free for this or that duration.
