XM sound quality sucks!!!
#1
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XM sound quality sucks!!!
Is it just me or does XM sound quality suck? I was really excited about getting XM in my new 04 TL, and I was very disapointed when I have been listening. It sounds about as good as cassete tape that has been copied from a copy of the original tape....that was a copy of a copy!
I mean honestly....it sucks. I love all the channels, and no commercials.......but it sound like somebody put a pillow over my speakers when I listen to XM! It is like having a girlfriend that has a 10 for a body.....but a 2 for her face!! Sheeeiiit!!!
What the hell is wrong with XM? This is 2004.....they are shooting down music from outerspace.....and they can't even make it sound as good as a CD! I just don't understand what the deal is, XM is a big let down in sound quality!
What does everybody else think?
Peeze out
I mean honestly....it sucks. I love all the channels, and no commercials.......but it sound like somebody put a pillow over my speakers when I listen to XM! It is like having a girlfriend that has a 10 for a body.....but a 2 for her face!! Sheeeiiit!!!
What the hell is wrong with XM? This is 2004.....they are shooting down music from outerspace.....and they can't even make it sound as good as a CD! I just don't understand what the deal is, XM is a big let down in sound quality!
What does everybody else think?
Peeze out
#2
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It sucks. Just proves my point that not all digital is the same. They must use some type of bit compression. Even regular CD sounds way better. DVD-A blows them both away!
#3
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XM is compressed enough to have easily audible artifacts. Although their algorithm is proprietary, it's been estimated that the bit rate they use is 64 kbps.
If that's the case, then although the sound isn't great it's pretty impressive for 64kbps; an MP3 at that bitrate would sound horrendous.
Mike
If that's the case, then although the sound isn't great it's pretty impressive for 64kbps; an MP3 at that bitrate would sound horrendous.
Mike
#4
I have seen other discussions about this but never commented.
I don't think it sounds all that great either. Others have said that it's better than FM but I swear that we have a couple of stations here that sound better than XM. CD's sound much better then either in my car.
I like the stereo but have to turn it way up. Usually 25 or higher. I have seen others post that they never go that high but I can't get the sound close to my liking without doing so.
I usually spend $1,200 to $1,500 on after market stereo equipment but no more. I trade my cars way too much and this stereo will do.
I don't think it sounds all that great either. Others have said that it's better than FM but I swear that we have a couple of stations here that sound better than XM. CD's sound much better then either in my car.
I like the stereo but have to turn it way up. Usually 25 or higher. I have seen others post that they never go that high but I can't get the sound close to my liking without doing so.
I usually spend $1,200 to $1,500 on after market stereo equipment but no more. I trade my cars way too much and this stereo will do.
#5
BE CAREFUL! There are people on this board, like acuradict, who will try to rip you a new one for the heresy of attacking the holy XM!
I agree, not only is the sound quality subpar, but you will soon find that the selection of songs SUCKS A-S-S!
XM does have some redeeming qualities, like availability of great variety stations (like commedy), news and soon traffic reports.
I agree, not only is the sound quality subpar, but you will soon find that the selection of songs SUCKS A-S-S!
XM does have some redeeming qualities, like availability of great variety stations (like commedy), news and soon traffic reports.
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I just find it funny that XM uses a compressed digital bitstream yet they didn't allow MP3s on the system because of the poor quality. WTF? They have a tape deck for pete's sake!
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#9
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I voted with my wallet; I haven't subscribed. I'm enjoying my purchased and homemade DVD-A's way too much.
Mike
Mike
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Originally posted by svtmike
I voted with my wallet; I haven't subscribed. I'm enjoying my purchased and homemade DVD-A's way too much.
Mike
I voted with my wallet; I haven't subscribed. I'm enjoying my purchased and homemade DVD-A's way too much.
Mike
#11
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DiscWelder Steel. There are several threads covering it, including the DVD-A primer stickied at the top.
Mike
Mike
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Is 150 Playboy? How is that anyway.....I need to try something.
I do like XM for the talk radio and news, because it is a hair better than AM. But I am just let down, because I heard all this crap about "digital".....but now I understand that "digital" does not mean high quality. I would rather have high quality analog than low quality digital. I swear most FM stations sound better....except for the static.
I am afraid if I get the playboy XM station.....I will be trying to operate the vehicle with one hand.
I do like XM for the talk radio and news, because it is a hair better than AM. But I am just let down, because I heard all this crap about "digital".....but now I understand that "digital" does not mean high quality. I would rather have high quality analog than low quality digital. I swear most FM stations sound better....except for the static.
I am afraid if I get the playboy XM station.....I will be trying to operate the vehicle with one hand.
#14
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Originally posted by Salden
I just find it funny that XM uses a compressed digital bitstream yet they didn't allow MP3s on the system because of the poor quality. WTF? They have a tape deck for pete's sake!
I just find it funny that XM uses a compressed digital bitstream yet they didn't allow MP3s on the system because of the poor quality. WTF? They have a tape deck for pete's sake!
It tends to prove that it's the $$$, not the so-called lack of quality that drove the "no lousy MP3 in my radio design" decision.
Kind of like the cheezy obviously-computer-generated special effects from the first Spider-Man movie. Sony/Marvel's claim: The movie was based on a comic book, and we wanted the movie to have a comic book "feel" for artistic reasons. Reality: They ran out of money.
I am listening quite a bit to the Comedy Channels, so the lack of quality doesn't bother me as much.
I'm still trying to decide if I want to subscribe. If XM carried NPR broadcasts, it would be a done deal. Since XM won't ever carry NPR, I probably won't be subscribing.
I'm personally going to try and find a way to improve the FM reception. The poor reception from the window antenna is so bad that I am losing strong local channels while I'm in town, not just driving out of town.
#15
Originally posted by ¿GotJazz?
An excellent point!
...
I'm personally going to try and find a way to improve the FM reception. The poor reception from the window antenna is so bad that I am losing strong local channels while I'm in town, not just driving out of town.
An excellent point!
...
I'm personally going to try and find a way to improve the FM reception. The poor reception from the window antenna is so bad that I am losing strong local channels while I'm in town, not just driving out of town.
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As everyone has pointed out the sound is sub par for music, and I too need to turn up the volume to hear it well, however, it seems that like TV the intermissions and commercials are louder.
Don't buy XM for the sound, buy it for the content if that's what you like. Otherwise keep your money for those fantastic sounding DVD-A's.
Personally, I like the comedy, Discovery Channel and talk stations.
Don't buy XM for the sound, buy it for the content if that's what you like. Otherwise keep your money for those fantastic sounding DVD-A's.
Personally, I like the comedy, Discovery Channel and talk stations.
#20
Originally posted by jwaters943
My uncle has XM on his new F350 and I thought it sounded really good. I think you guys just like to B*tch.
My uncle has XM on his new F350 and I thought it sounded really good. I think you guys just like to B*tch.
There is a significant difference in sound quality and tone across different XM channels.
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Originally posted by dulnev
There is a significant difference in sound quality and tone across different XM channels.
There is a significant difference in sound quality and tone across different XM channels.
My other theory is that some type of music suffers less from XM's compression than others. I notice less artifacts in "simple" sounding music, like solo or small ensembles, for example. The most objectionable and obvious compression artifacts, to my ear, are "complex" sounds, like large orchestral and string ensembles. (The same is true for MP3 and other audio compression methods.)
However, these are just theories. Does anyone have any facts on this?
#22
I don't want to open a can of works here...
BUT... Honestly.. The XM sound on the Acura, witht he great system we have... DOES NOT sound as good as XM does in my last car or other people's cars who have aftermarket radios.
It sounds much better at home too.
In the Acura, for some reason it sounds muddy and lacks highs...
has anyone else made this observation???
I mean it is great and all and I wouldnt by a car without it anymore... but I have noticed that i just doesn't sound as good as it does elsewhere in the Acura.
THoughts?
BUT... Honestly.. The XM sound on the Acura, witht he great system we have... DOES NOT sound as good as XM does in my last car or other people's cars who have aftermarket radios.
It sounds much better at home too.
In the Acura, for some reason it sounds muddy and lacks highs...
has anyone else made this observation???
I mean it is great and all and I wouldnt by a car without it anymore... but I have noticed that i just doesn't sound as good as it does elsewhere in the Acura.
THoughts?
#23
I dont know what the big deal is about sound quality. xm is not about sound quality. its about choice. so tell me, how many of you have even 10-15 radio stations you can get clearly and listen to without xm? I personally LOVE the variety of stations and expect xm to improve the sound quality. and even if they dont I am sold.
#24
BS, XM does not suck, DUH. At worst it is better than FM. At best its better than any MP3. So, no it's not CD quality. But its better than radio, it will work in areas of the country where no radio exists (desert south west) and it has more than 100 channels. If thats not enough for you don't renew the subcription when its up, capice?
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Re: XM sound quality sucks!!!
Originally posted by BLACK VELVET
Is it just me or does XM sound quality suck? I was really excited about getting XM in my new 04 TL, and I was very disapointed when I have been listening. It sounds about as good as cassete tape that has been copied from a copy of the original tape....that was a copy of a copy!
I mean honestly....it sucks. I love all the channels, and no commercials.......but it sound like somebody put a pillow over my speakers when I listen to XM! It is like having a girlfriend that has a 10 for a body.....but a 2 for her face!! Sheeeiiit!!!
What the hell is wrong with XM? This is 2004.....they are shooting down music from outerspace.....and they can't even make it sound as good as a CD! I just don't understand what the deal is, XM is a big let down in sound quality!
What does everybody else think?
Peeze out
Is it just me or does XM sound quality suck? I was really excited about getting XM in my new 04 TL, and I was very disapointed when I have been listening. It sounds about as good as cassete tape that has been copied from a copy of the original tape....that was a copy of a copy!
I mean honestly....it sucks. I love all the channels, and no commercials.......but it sound like somebody put a pillow over my speakers when I listen to XM! It is like having a girlfriend that has a 10 for a body.....but a 2 for her face!! Sheeeiiit!!!
What the hell is wrong with XM? This is 2004.....they are shooting down music from outerspace.....and they can't even make it sound as good as a CD! I just don't understand what the deal is, XM is a big let down in sound quality!
What does everybody else think?
Peeze out
Could people be listening to a stereo broadcast (XM) in "5.1 mode?" That would sound horrible...
#26
Re: Re: XM sound quality sucks!!!
Originally posted by harddrivin1le
Could people be listening to a stereo broadcast (XM) in "5.1 mode?" That would sound horrible...
Could people be listening to a stereo broadcast (XM) in "5.1 mode?" That would sound horrible...
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Originally posted by vtechbrain
At worst it is better than FM. At best its better than any MP3. So, no it's not CD quality.
At worst it is better than FM. At best its better than any MP3. So, no it's not CD quality.
Compared to FM, XM does exceed FM in many measurements (frequency response, harmonic distortion, etc.) and in a car, multipath distortion is a major problem especially in urban and hilly areas. Typically FM stations use analog compression. All these factors degrade audio quality. However, since FM is not digital, it does not suffer from digital compression artifacts. Whether FM or XM is better is subjective depending on which problems bother you most.
#28
Originally posted by vtechbrain
BS, XM does not suck, DUH. At worst it is better than FM. At best its better than any MP3. So, no it's not CD quality. But its better than radio, it will work in areas of the country where no radio exists
BS, XM does not suck, DUH. At worst it is better than FM. At best its better than any MP3. So, no it's not CD quality. But its better than radio, it will work in areas of the country where no radio exists
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Re: Re: Re: XM sound quality sucks!!!
Originally posted by dulnev
What are you smoking? How can one listen to XM in 5.1 mode if it's not encoded that way? It comes over all the speakers in the car, but that just makes it sound better.
What are you smoking? How can one listen to XM in 5.1 mode if it's not encoded that way? It comes over all the speakers in the car, but that just makes it sound better.
I'm asking if there's a "5.1" or "surround sound" button that can be activated while listening to XM radio...No XM station I know of is broadcasting in 5.1 surround sound.
And I don't understand why you have to display such a lousy attitude over that simple question.
I sat in one and the dealer played XM; I'm reasonably certain that he activated the surround sound button and it sounded like sh*t as a result.
My home stereo sounds like SH*T if I listen to a stereo recording in surround sound. Many people don't understand that, do so anyway and then complain about how bad it sounds.
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There is no "simulated" 5.1 channel surround option in the TL/ELS. Stereo (2-channel) sources duplicate the front L/R channels in the rear L/R channels. The center channel is a sum of the front L/R channels for 2-channel sources.
#31
Originally posted by dulnev
Who gives a s*h*i*t? It doesn't matter how much better that FM it is (though I don't think it is). You don't talk about how good DVD format is by comparing it to VHS! XM sound quality can be MUCH MUCH better given the digital technology. But it's not, because the company is cutting corners by overcompressing the stream, not paying attention to the tonal differences and volume differences accross channels, but by playing too much second-rate music.
Who gives a s*h*i*t? It doesn't matter how much better that FM it is (though I don't think it is). You don't talk about how good DVD format is by comparing it to VHS! XM sound quality can be MUCH MUCH better given the digital technology. But it's not, because the company is cutting corners by overcompressing the stream, not paying attention to the tonal differences and volume differences accross channels, but by playing too much second-rate music.
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Originally posted by DNA
There is no "simulated" 5.1 channel surround option in the TL/ELS. Stereo (2-channel) sources duplicate the front L/R channels in the rear L/R channels. The center channel is a sum of the front L/R channels for 2-channel sources.
There is no "simulated" 5.1 channel surround option in the TL/ELS. Stereo (2-channel) sources duplicate the front L/R channels in the rear L/R channels. The center channel is a sum of the front L/R channels for 2-channel sources.
#33
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Originally posted by harddrivin1le
Does the stereo sound ANY different when 5.1 is activated while listening to a standard stereo source (like XM)??
Does the stereo sound ANY different when 5.1 is activated while listening to a standard stereo source (like XM)??
#34
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Originally posted by DNA
I guess I didn't make my point clear. There is no switchable 5.1 mode. The TL/ELS plays 5.1 sources (DVD-A and DTS) in 5.1 and it plays everything else, including XM, in 2 channel stereo as I described above.
I guess I didn't make my point clear. There is no switchable 5.1 mode. The TL/ELS plays 5.1 sources (DVD-A and DTS) in 5.1 and it plays everything else, including XM, in 2 channel stereo as I described above.
I thought I saw/heard the salesman switch to 5.1 while listening to XM...
Maybe I didn't.
XM in my Accord sounds pretty damn good and I've got an entry level audiophile grade audio system in my home (Largest NAD integrated amp, their best Cd player and PSB Stratus Minis...
XM in the Accord blows away any other source of broadcast compressed audio I've heard (internet radio, digital cable "radio", etc).
If it sounded lousy I'd be the first one to B&M about it...
#35
Originally posted by harddrivin1le
Does the stereo sound ANY different when 5.1 is activated while listening to a standard stereo source (like XM)??
Does the stereo sound ANY different when 5.1 is activated while listening to a standard stereo source (like XM)??
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Originally posted by dulnev
There is no way to "activate" or "deactivate" 5.1. When TL stereo is playing music encoded in 5.1 (DVD-A and DTS disks), it does so in 5.1. Otherwise, it plays them in 2 channels, but uses all the speakers in the car.
There is no way to "activate" or "deactivate" 5.1. When TL stereo is playing music encoded in 5.1 (DVD-A and DTS disks), it does so in 5.1. Otherwise, it plays them in 2 channels, but uses all the speakers in the car.
That can't sound "right."
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Originally posted by harddrivin1le
What's the purpose of a center channel in a stereo broadcast?
That can't sound "right."
What's the purpose of a center channel in a stereo broadcast?
That can't sound "right."
Is this perfect? No, but it is usually pretty good with most sources, usually much better than it would be for people not located in the center line of the car which is difficult place to drive the car. Dolby Pro-Logic II for the center or all channels would be better.
The major problem with the simple center matrix of 2-channel sources, in my opinion, is that the center channel does not have a tweeter so 2-channel sources sound less bright.
#38
It would have been nice if the had included a 6 channel stereo mode. My Yamaha surround reciever has that setting and it sounds very good indeed. But it could also have THX 6.1 surround a Carver sub and, and, and ........... I think the stereo is great considering its standard equipment. You have to pay 5k for the lexus levison which IMO an various other sources is not better on CDS and inferior when DVD audio is considered.
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Originally posted by vtechbrain
It would have been nice if the had included a 6 channel stereo mode. My Yamaha surround reciever has that setting and it sounds very good indeed. But it could also have THX 6.1 surround a Carver sub and, and, and ........... I think the stereo is great considering its standard equipment. You have to pay 5k for the lexus levison which IMO an various other sources is not better on CDS and inferior when DVD audio is considered.
It would have been nice if the had included a 6 channel stereo mode. My Yamaha surround reciever has that setting and it sounds very good indeed. But it could also have THX 6.1 surround a Carver sub and, and, and ........... I think the stereo is great considering its standard equipment. You have to pay 5k for the lexus levison which IMO an various other sources is not better on CDS and inferior when DVD audio is considered.
And the reason is costs as much as it does ($3,120 MSRP) in that car is because it comes bundled with the NAV system...It can cost that much (and more) in the LS430, but only because it's once again bundled with other features in various packages.
What good would a "6.1" system be unless an audio (only) format existed to support it?
Personally, I think jumping into the DVD audio game at this point is premature; titles are very limited and no-one knows whether or not that audio format will take-off. (Remember the week when DAT and Mini Disc were "the next big things" in music? Where are they now?)