Sirius vs. XM

[CapeCodTenor]

Ok, I know this has been talked about, but I'm considering getting one of the satellite radios and I was wondering what others prefered. I'm looking into satellite radio for two main reasons: 1) I love broadway, and both have a Broadway channel, 2) I also love Opera and classical singing, and both have a channel dedicated to the human voice, be it in chorus or solo form. So now I'm just trying to figure out which one I should get, and I thought I'd ask what the most listened to station is from my fellow Dis'ers. As before, I'll be away from my computer for a while, but will check back in as often as I can.

 

[Galahad]

I've listen to XM on airplanes and Sirius in rental cars. My car Stereo is Sirius "ready" but I haven't bought the reciever yet. My read on it, for Classical Music, including Opera (which CCT, you know are also my "thing") Siruis is better. Niether one give much bandwidth to classical music, but it seems the selection is better on Sirius in that regard. My car stereo is also HD radio ready and I want to look into that. Our local classical stations have each added HD stations.

 

[LindaR]

A couple of years ago, I did the work to buy my boss a new truck. It came with 3 months of XM for free. We got hooked! I now have XM in my office. Last month when purchasing my own new car, I actually purchased a 2006 (instead of a 2007) because Audi offered a choice between XM and Sirius. On the '07's they only offer Sirius.

There are a few more stations/choices on XM than on Sirius.

 

[airhead]

....since last March. I'm a big Howard Stern fan,so initially that's why I got Sirius. The music,sports and talk shows are too numerous to count. I'm VERY happy with my choice!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Love. love, love our Sirius!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

My read on it, for Classical Music, including Opera (which CCT, you know are also my "thing") Siruis is better. Niether one give much bandwidth to classical music, but it seems the selection is better on Sirius in that regard.

This is one reason I like Sirius. I like that they play a full opera very weekday at 1pm ET, and they have a listing telling you which one they'll be playing. I also like their Broadway channel more than XM's.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

From my signature you can guess my vote.

We are a two receiver Sirius household. I first bought it for my DH (for the NFL and Howard) and then soon became addicted. I listen to Howard most of the time, but LOVE the music options. I usually stick to Octane and Alt Nation, but I have been know to check out Super Shuffle and some dance stations.

I have not listened to Terrestrial radio since I bought my own receiver!

 

[momrek06]

My son has the SIRIUS and loves it for the NFL. It is only in his car.

My two sis' (45 & 50) have XM and love it for EVERYTHING. They also have it mounted in their cars and then some device so they can take it inside.

We all gather at my Mom's home in Maine during the summer months and one sis brings along her (inside mount) XM and we listen to everything from old time radio stories to classical music to comedy hour to jazz.

They esp love it at XMAS with all the Xmas music as well as Xmas stories.

Sis #2 had some time deciding and ended up with XM despite the fact she LOVES the Patriots, she really loves XM and the new Gayle King show and Oprah show starting soon on the XM. (it may have already started) and she loves all the home and garden shows as well.

I personally think it is a hard decision.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I guess I could have voted both actually now that I think about it. I have a trial subscription of XM that I received when I bought my Cadillac. I tried it, I don't really like it. I can honestly say I prefer Sirius. I am thinking of getting the components to change my car radio from XM to Sirius so I don't have to use my plug-n-play receiver (it will look nicer).

Oh and Sirius people, what do you think of the Stilleto? I think I will wait and see like I did with the S50 (I was VERY GLAD I did that, too many issues).

 

[PrincessDeb]

I am waiting on the Stiletto as well but think it's a great idea! My husband and I each have a receiver so we can listen to Howard! I am a big Broadway fan as well. I listen to the Broadway channel and especially like the live interview/cabaret sessions that they run on Friday nights with Seth Rudetsky. If it weren't for Howard, I may have bought XM though-I was just ready to move to satellite and friends who had that highly recommended it.
Deb

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

We just bought Sirius and love it. DH loves the comedy stations and the classic radio shows. Plus, it has Howard. The music stations are great too.

I think they are running a special now that you can get another receiver for little to no cost.

 

[tarmand]

I guess I could have voted both actually now that I think about it. I have a trial subscription of XM that I received when I bought my Cadillac. I tried it, I don't really like it. I can honestly say I prefer Sirius. I am thinking of getting the components to change my car radio from XM to Sirius so I don't have to use my plug-n-play receiver (it will look nicer).

Oh and Sirius people, what do you think of the Stilleto? I think I will wait and see like I did with the S50 (I was VERY GLAD I did that, too many issues).

There is a component to change from one to another? Where do I get it? We have XM and Nascar is moving to Sirius so my husband wants to switch. We paid extra to have an XM in our new SUV and now it will be useless.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

There is a component to change from one to another? Where do I get it? We have XM and Nascar is moving to Sirius so my husband wants to switch. We paid extra to have an XM in our new SUV and now it will be useless.

What is the make and model of your vehicle? The one I am talking about is for certain GM vehicles. It's the SIR-GM1 http://www.tss-radio.com/sirius-connect-p-228.html?osCsid=3e23fad11ed9b1d6dfb

 

[salmoneous]

I am a huge, huge XM fan and have personally convinced at least a dozen people to get the service (XM should pay me some sort of fee). But what I tell everyone is that the choice between XM and Sirius isn't the important choice. Get one, get the other, whatever. The services are more similar than they are different. The important choice is to get satellite radio period.

Actually, that isn't 100% true. If you are specifically getting satellite radio for baseball or Howard Stern, you obviously have to get the service that carries it/him. But if you are getting it for something like Broadway - you've already seen that both services have you covered.

I've never listened to the Sirius channel. As for XM's, one thing I can say is that I'm a casual Broadway fan and about 2/3 of the time when I flip to the channel it's a song I'm not familiar with. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending upon your tastes. But if you want all Rodgers, Hammerstein and Lloyd Webber all the time, you will be disappointed. One thing the channel is especially good at is playing the music of current shows. I was listening to the music from Wicked and Avenue Q before almost anyone had heard of them. Of course, I've also heard the music to dozen of not-so-good shows that have come and gone for good reason.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I've never listened to the Sirius channel. As for XM's, one thing I can say is that I'm a casual Broadway fan and about 2/3 of the time when I flip to the channel it's a song I'm not familiar with. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending upon your tastes. But if you want all Rodgers, Hammerstein and Lloyd Webber all the time, you will be disappointed.

Everytime I've listened to XM's Broadway this is what I get...show's I've never heard of or don't like. Now, this could have been just when I tuned in, but I'm going to give it another go to and check it out. I think I already know what I'm going to choose, but I want to make sure I look into it further and not just jump into it. This is why I'm posted a poll, I wanted to see what other people thought and why they choose it. So thanks everyone for posting.

 

[Crankyshank]

Not to hijack the thread, but DH's new work vehicle only has a radio (no tape deck or cd player) and he's on the road a lot so I was looking at getting him Sirius. Which receiver would you recommend? He wants something he can bring into the house or office as well as use in the car.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Jenn, DH and I both have the Sportster Replay, which we both like. However, the Sportster 4 is the newest plug-n-play receiver. There are some issues with the FM trasmitter being very weak though (thanks to the stupid FCC). The good thing though is that the Sportster 4 is part of the new Sirius universal platform. In the future other Sirius receivers will use the same car, home and boombox docks. Here is a great place to read up on different choices. http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[wdw4us2]

We actually have both. We have Sirius through DISH Network in the house and we have XM in one of our vehicles and on the computer.

At first, I liked Sirius better because I liked the First Wave channel, which is different than what they have on XM. That said, I like the Decades and Soul Street better on XM and I like the Decades DJ's better. They play a better variety of songs.

As for the Broadway stations, I've heard a lot of what I'm familiar with as well as not as popular songs on XM Broadway. I also like Cinemagic on XM.

If it were up to my husband, we wouldn't have XM. It came on the Avalanche we bought last year and he said we weren't keeping it after the three month free trial. He was outvoted by the other three members of the house - we bought a three year subscription! I never thought I'd see the day when I'd pay for music in my vehicle, but I can't stand the garbage they play on commercial radio anymore - especially the multitude of commercials.

 

[Crankyshank]

thanks

So I would need to get something with a car kit and a plug & play home kit?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

thanks

So I would need to get something with a car kit and a plug & play home kit?

The receiver usually comes with a car kit so you would have to buy a home kit. If you were considering the Spprster 4 The Sirius Store (not owned by Sirius) put a package together that includes the home dock: http://www.tss-radio.com/sportster-home-package-p-3870.html and here is one for the Sportster Replay http://www.tss-radio.com/sportster-replay-home-package-p-239.html