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Millions love cruising in their cars to the huge channel lineups of music, news and sports with one of the two satellite radio companies, XM Satellite Radio Inc. or Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
But for home use, some see satellite radio with ambivalence.
Satellite radio is digital and uses a binary code of ones and zeros. This means your radio either completely receives it or not at all. There is largely no in between, such as a signal marred by static, which often occurs on terrestrial (traditional) radio. But there can still be some distortion.
So for some, satellite broadcasts can be can virtually the only non-Internet radio available, especially for those who live or work within or near tall buildings. Living in urban skyscrapers, for example, might prevent you from receiving barely any local terrestrial radio.
Of course options exist to improve the signal, among which is changing the antenna or placing it either near or out the window.
Another option is ditching the traditional radio for satellite. Often its digital signal will get through when analog broadcasts will not. Sometimes the radio has to be moved around a bit to pick up a signal, but once it does you will never need to miss another erudite Howard Stern lecture on American sociology.
In case you can’t pick up Howard’s signal on the first try, Sirius sells an antenna with an option for an extension cable to place either near or running outside your window. A south-facing window is best for receiving a satellite signal. It also sells a gizmo called an echo signal repeater that allows you to place your radio where you want it most. Even in interior rooms, without restrictions due to antenna placement.
To listen to Sirius at home, you can purchase a Plug & Play Universal Home Kit, listed at $50 on its web site. Of course, you will need to purchase one of their radios, listed at between $40 and $120. The radio plan, or subscription to the broadcast signal, is another $13 monthly. Sirius also just announced a partnership with multiroom music system provider Sonos to conveniently stream the satellite’s Internet stations throughout the house.
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The compression used for satellite radio is fine for most users, who are on the highway, in the office—locations where there is significant background noise that masks come of the compressed-audio artifacts. The satellite companies could re-jigger their total bit stream to have fewer channels at higher quality, but they have decided it is in their business interest to have more channels instead. Most people do not care. But, do we reach a point with this extreme compression where some people don’t listen to music as much as they used to, but they don’t know why? A home installation might be fine for background music, but not for serious music listening.
As an integrator, that still has and listens to his turntable, I must say I was very disappointed with MP3, and then I started ripping at the highest quality, lowest compression ratio and was satisfied. Then the giants at Apple started the whole iTunes revolution with the worst sound quality I have ever listened to (great on ear buds for short periods) and just when I was sure it could not get any worse along comes Sirius and XM satellite radio.
That said, ALL my clients would rather have ease of operation than fidelity in either their whole house or outdoor situations. I still have a large percentage of regulars who understand sonic fidelity and enjoy their CDs in the “listening room”.
Finally I must echo some of the comments above as I installed a Sirius unit in my work truck, so when I’m not listening to CDs I can enjoy talk radio and news and an eclectic variety of music without annoying Morning Zoo formats or multiple commercials.
All in all, I see digital formats with lousy sound replacing all but the finest of our whole house installs and don’t get me started on internet radio.
I never thought I would pay for radio, and absolutely never thought I would pay to have three receivers. Yes I know, do the math and that is over $300 per year for radio broadcasts. My XM subscription addiction started innocently enough with an “XM to Go” unit as a gift for my husband to use for work. Soon after that purchase it was time for me to purchase a new car and I decided I had to have an XM tuner built-in. Once I got hooked, I had to have XM in the house as well, so I purchased the latest “To Go” unit to use a source component to my audio system. The interface is attractive and easy to use.
Okay, since we’re also talking quality. Hmm, I’d rather talk perspective: The best FM tuner on the market can’t free me from the incessant commercials. I am willing to pay to not hear them and I am willing to pay for more music choices. Yes, at home from time to time I get a very BRIEF interruption (a very brief nada or as noted in the binary world, ZERO). When I am in my in my car on occasion the signal gets dropped but generally picks up again.
When listening quality really matters at home XM is not my only source for music, it just nicely rounds out my choices. In the car it is either XM, NPR or CDs. You can’t get programming such as “All Hand-Mixed Vinyl” hosted by Bill Fitzhugh on Deeptracks on any FM station. He takes mixing to a whole new level and will keep anyone engaged for a long Saturday night ride in the automobile. I have also learned about a lot of new artists on the various XM channels and subsequently purchased the CD.
Satellite radio wouldn’t ever be my only choice for listening to music but it is a great option for a long commute to work and some interesting mixing on a Saturday night.
Cindy Davis
Editor-in-chief
Electronic House magazine
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Just wanted to give you a shout from the valley of the sun, great information. Much appreciated.
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