I like the rock channels, some pop channels, almost all the jazz channels, and occasionally listen to the Latin channels. I love the old time radio station and all the comedy channels. I don’t care for sports, and I don’t live in a major city that is featured in the weather and driving conditions channels.

I think that Sirius has pretty much the same thing. One thing I love about XM is the movie soundtrack channel and the Broadway soundtrack channel, and I don’t think Sirius has those.

I’m looking at a BMW for my next vehicle, and they only offer Sirius. I wish they had a choice (like Infiniti, for example) because it would be cheaper for me to add one more account to my XM subscription than a brand new Sirius subscription, but… oh well.

I was surprised how much I like satellite radio. You probably won’t go wrong with either system.

I have both XM and Sirius.
There are good things about both.
I actually prefer Sirius’s programming a little better overall, but XM has THE single best channel and a better overall signal for my uses. It really depends on what you want it for and where you will mostly listen to it.

XM has “The Boneyard” (80’s rock including stadium rock bands like Rush, Scorps, Zebra, Y&T, Priest, VH…they also have hair bands like Slaughter, Winger, Ratt, etc… they also dip into more classic rock like Zepplin, Nugent, Hendrix, etc…
The Boneyard probably plays more of the lesser heard bands like Faster Pussycat, Icon, Black N Blue, TNT, Tyketto, etc…. They also don’t always play the “standard” songs from popular bands. For instance, they are more likely to play Van Halen’s “In a Simple Rhyme” before they’d play “You Really Got Me”. For instance, right now XM is playing Rush’s “Circumstances”.

The Boneyard is probably the single best channel on all of Satellite radio.

Sirius has 2 stations to go against “The Boneyard”…..They have “Hair Nation” (Hair bands) and “The Buzzsaw” (Stadium rock). Together, they are as good as the Boneyard. However, they tend to play more of the “standard” songs than the “b-sides”.

(Today’s hard rock) – Sirius has “Octane” which is better than XM’s “Squizz” in my opinion.

(Classic Rock) – Sirius has “Classic Vinyl”, “Classic Rewind”, and “The Vault”…all versions of classic rock.
XM has “Deep Tracks”…that’s about it.

(Heavy Metal) – Sirius’s “Hard Attack” blows XM’s “Liquid Metal” away….plus XM’s “Liquid Metal” is only available over the internet…it’s not available from your unit.

Both have “alternative” stations, “underground” stations, and other stuff that I really don’t listen to much. XM may have the edge on “alternative” music.

Without question, Sirius has better sports.
XM has Major League baseball…if that’s your thing, then XM’s for you.
Sirius has the NFL, will be getting Nascar very soon, and has a TON more college sports.

They both have about the same news and talk, with different variations….but if that’s not your thing, you won’t notice the difference.

OH…and for what it’s worth…..Sirius will soon have Howard Stern and XM has Opie and Anthony.

That being said, I like my reception better from XM………sort of.
Let me explain.
With XM, I get a signal just about all of the time, whether it’s good or not just depends. (I’m speaking of when I’m using the home kit or the “jam box”.) But even if it’s not a great signal, I at least can still hear it albeit with some static on occassion.
Sirius is “all or nothing”. I either get a crystal clear signal, or I don’t get anything.

When I’m in my car, both systems work fine for me.

XM has the portable MyFi which is very nice…but don’t jump too soon. Sirius will be coming out with their’s shortly.

I really think that you can’t go wrong with either system. Either way, once you go satellite, you won’t go back.

IT’S AWESOME!

Actually, my bet is that XM will buy up Sirius eventually because they are becoming increasingly tough competition….then it won’t matter anyway.

Hope this helps a little.

1) Sirius has more commercial-free programming (65 channels to XM’s 35 channels, I think).

2) I read on the XM website that Clear Channel is a major investor. They’ve ruined commercial radio, and were one of the main reasons I fled to satellite in the first place.

The difference in the cost of the two services is negligible.

1. $80 installed!!!!! Woo Woo! We caught a special on the old (wired) hardware at a local stereo shop. I don’t need to be able to move the tuner around – and I won’t miss it in the house because I can get a free webcast of the same stations with my new access code over the internet.

2. Main difference between the two services (both have 100 channels) was XM has NASCAR channel and Sirius has SPEED channel. No biggie.

3. $12.95 a month for the first unit, $6.99 a month for the 2nd unit we also bought to go in Steve’s Bronco. If I choose to get a lifetime subscription, I can do it for $400 – XM does not offer that. Right now I am happy with month to month.

4. Truly commercial free – except for the News channels (CNN, FOXNews, Court TV, etc.). They are from TV and will play national commercials.

5. I like the Sirius dog.

Both services seem great. You might have been right about the XM hardware being a little more versatile, but Sirius is now offering the same options.

http://www.forbes.com/2003/05/22/cx_ah_0522tentech.html?partner=yahoo&referrer=

It looks like Sirius wants to be a contender – and I was/am willing to take advantage of that.

We don’t have a review up for either service, yet – but that will change.

I honestly couldn’t have made it through 40 hours of driving time without Sirius – I can’t believe we didn’t get it sooner!!!

Judie :0)

Judie wrote “Today, I have a 3:00 appointment to get a Sirius Satellite Radio receiver installed in our Expedition – so we shouldn’t get bored in the tunes department! ” in her latest gear entry. So I guess I ahve to ask why choose sirius over xm.

Has there been a review here of either service? Did I miss it? I like the hardware for the xm satellite a little better because it seems a little more versatile.

If anybody uses either of theses and thinks one is better than the other please let me know.

I like the concept of commercial free radio and want to get one,but I can’t decide any input would be appreciated.

Erik