SL/R230: XM versus Sirius...Satellite radio services
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
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XM versus Sirius...Satellite radio services
I have XM in an Audi, and like the service. I presumed that the two were about the same. But XM only loses service when there is serious obstruction to the signal from the satellite, parking garage, tunnel, etc.
In my new SL 550, I am receiving a few months of Sirius as a freebie. In terms of content and sound quality, they seem about the same. The only difference is that Sirius' signal is much more easily interrupted as I drive down the highway--in places the XM signal would never be interrupted.
A tree will interrupt the music and send the Sirius radio searching for signal. It is really annoying. Is Sirius' signal less powerful, or at a different frequency?
Is there anything I can do to improve the Sirius signal? Do others experience this with Sirius or is something wrong with my car's antenna?
Thanks...
In my new SL 550, I am receiving a few months of Sirius as a freebie. In terms of content and sound quality, they seem about the same. The only difference is that Sirius' signal is much more easily interrupted as I drive down the highway--in places the XM signal would never be interrupted.
A tree will interrupt the music and send the Sirius radio searching for signal. It is really annoying. Is Sirius' signal less powerful, or at a different frequency?
Is there anything I can do to improve the Sirius signal? Do others experience this with Sirius or is something wrong with my car's antenna?
Thanks...
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
2021 s580, Past: 2020 BMW M8 Comp, 2018 BMW M5, 2015 BMW X5M, 2008 CL600, 2007 SL550
same
I've experienced the same problem with my Sirius reception in SL550. I live near Boston and when i am driving on small roads, reception often is horrible. In downtown or on highways receptions is good. I thought that i have a faulty antenna or something, but it seems that there is nothing wrong with a car.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: orange county, CA
Tesla Roadster Sport
I have XM in an Audi, and like the service. I presumed that the two were about the same. But XM only loses service when there is serious obstruction to the signal from the satellite, parking garage, tunnel, etc.
In my new SL 550, I am receiving a few months of Sirius as a freebie. In terms of content and sound quality, they seem about the same. The only difference is that Sirius' signal is much more easily interrupted as I drive down the highway--in places the XM signal would never be interrupted.
A tree will interrupt the music and send the Sirius radio searching for signal. It is really annoying. Is Sirius' signal less powerful, or at a different frequency?
Is there anything I can do to improve the Sirius signal? Do others experience this with Sirius or is something wrong with my car's antenna?
Thanks...
In my new SL 550, I am receiving a few months of Sirius as a freebie. In terms of content and sound quality, they seem about the same. The only difference is that Sirius' signal is much more easily interrupted as I drive down the highway--in places the XM signal would never be interrupted.
A tree will interrupt the music and send the Sirius radio searching for signal. It is really annoying. Is Sirius' signal less powerful, or at a different frequency?
Is there anything I can do to improve the Sirius signal? Do others experience this with Sirius or is something wrong with my car's antenna?
Thanks...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
This makes perfect sense...Thanks!!
I did not realize these services utilize terrestrial repeaters--I thought the issue was signal strength from the satellites themselves. The Audi is used in the city, the Mercedes is kept at our place in a little village.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Annapolis, MD
'97 RENNtech E60RS
I have seen news articles about a possible merger of the two sat radio companies. The articles did not indicate that something was going to happen soon, but the fact that a merger is now being discussed, at least on some level, is quite interesting. Both XM and Sirius have been bleeding money for years. I think one of them is finally showing some profit, but it will take a long time to erase the accumulated losses.
