Another Satellite radio thread with specific needs. I've read guides, reviews, and threads on XM and Sirius. It seems there are trade offs to both.

my desires:
- lots of music selection (both win)
- good reception (both?)
- high fidelity sound (XM)
- live PLAY BY PLAY for *ALL NBA* games (Sirius)
- no commercials (Sirius)
- compact hardware with lots of choices, would like one that's portable (XM)
- lots of future potential (both)
- premium content at no additional fee (Sirius)
- free internet listening to subscribers (Sirius)
- local local weather/traffic... aka San Jose, CA; does the "San Francisco" also cover south bay? (???)
- US and world news like CNN (both)

I read that XM is raising their fees to $12.95 so they'll both be the same price.

 

I would recommend buying a headunit that is satalite radio ready (if you don't already have one), because you'll get the best sound quality that way. I've had Sirius for a while (plugged directly into my Kenwood HU) and I'm very pleased. Great Music selection and NO COMMERCIALS

 

XM has raised their price. They have no commercials, at least on the music stations. They have MLB (pro baseball), some ACC and PAC-10 coverage, they just moved the Opie & Anthony show from premium to the regular line-up. I didn't choose XM over Sirius, my stereo purchase made my choice. Alpine had an XM tuner that connected via the Ai-Net cable when I bought my headunit, now the Alpine units can do either, with the purchase of an additional tuner. I think you'll be happy with either...

 

Sirius seems to have live play by play NBA game coverage, while XM does not.

 

With XM's price hike, I feel as if you get more for your $13 a month from Sirius.

 

Dang... I just looked into all the real equipment... Looks like it's easily a $250+ just to get all necessary equipment.

$100-150 for the sat tuner
$50 for the antenna and mount
$50 for the headunit adaptor

I don't have a cassette, and I prefer NOT to do the FM wireless because of the sound spectrum degredation.

 

Hit up ebay for the equipment. I got my Sirius tuner, antenna (the newest one they had out)and the wire to connect to my HU for just 100 bux. Used but in brand new condition.