Satelite Radio (which method)

[bjames]

Previos boat had a factory installed Serius Satlelite antenna/receiver installed. My 2009 Xstar Clarion factory receiver is satlelite ready. My question is, should I install the Serius XM antenna/receiver (drilling a hole for the antenna) or go with a portable unit that I can use either in the boat or truck? Not sure if I am sacrficing anything going to a portable unit.

[blakekrone]

If you are constantly moving the device the connections wear out. I had an older plug in play sirius model that the connections wore out from moving it between vehicles and home kit.

I would go direct connection to the headunit and you probably don't even have to drill anything for the antenna, just place it under the console facing up and it should go through the fiberglass no problems.

[ricford]

Personally, I would go with the built in unit. Portable units are a pain, bouncing around in the boat, extra wires, etc. Much cleaner look with the built in unit. Like blakerone said you can try putting the antenna under the dash first. I have my doubts that it will work, but worth a shot.

[EarmarkMarine]

Satellite Radio is a very compressed format so I don't see a sound quality difference in the tuner of the portable versus permanent unit.
However, the method of interface will make a huge SQ difference.
Wireless FM connectivity is a 1 on a scale of 10.
Hardwired FM modulation (with a quality modulator) is a 5 on a scale of 10.
Hardwired into the auxilary port is a 10 on a scale of 10 and the same quality as a dedicated tuner controlled from the source unit.
Using the auxilary port borrows the input that most use for an ipod. If ipod is used also then JL Audio has a very nice hide-away triple source selector.

David

[clrussell]

Question is do you already had satellite radio in the truck/ vehicle that's driven all of the time?


Tapatalk

[Jerseydave]

David is right (he is the expert) satellite radio is a compressed format and you won't get that nice clear sound like from a CD. I personally like Pandora for music choices....not sure how the sound clarity compares to sat radio.

I know my next radio in my work truck will be Pandora capable, not XM.

[blakekrone]

Originally Posted by Jerseydave

David is right (he is the expert) satellite radio is a compressed format and you won't get that nice clear sound like from a CD. I personally like Pandora for music choices....not sure how the sound clarity compares to sat radio.

I know my next radio in my work truck will be Pandora capable, not XM.

Pandora is just as compressed, also depends if you are a Pandora One subscriber or not. Unfortunately if you are running it via your phone you will never have CD quality out of it.

"Pandora on the Web plays 64k AAC+ for free listeners and 192k for Pandora One subscribers. All in-home devices play 128k audio, and mobile devices receive a variety of different rates depending on the capability of the device and the network they are on, but never more than 64k AAC+."

[Nick911]

I'm lost....

My 2013 is coming with the factory satellite radio. Will the sound quality be as good as a CD or AUX input from my iPhone?

[blakekrone]

Originally Posted by Nick911

I'm lost....

My 2013 is coming with the factory satellite radio. Will the sound quality be as good as a CD or AUX input from my iPhone?

I haven't noticed any noticeable issues with the quality from the satellite radio in my Jeep. I didn't think the portable unit was as clear, but the factory one in my Jeep is great. Also need to consider the atmosphere you are listening to it in, I don't really think a boat will ever sound amazingly clear.

[EarmarkMarine]

Don't get me wrong. I have Satellite Radio in both my cars and networked throughout my entire home and do not want to live without out it. So to put this in better context....
It is without compromise at moderate or background listening levels (so you can still comfortably have a conversation). But at greater listening levels the bandwidth and dynamic range is clearly exposed on good equipment.
But keep this in mind. When underway with wind, engine noise, etc, etc, you are not going to notice the compression as compared to the natural compression inherent in the environment.
Initially we were conversing about the quality of connectivity options.

David