stead of SiriusDisappointed in XM vs Sirius.

[Curmudgeon]

I have been enjoying uninterrupted Sirius reception in my 2010 Fusion since purchase, but the XM reception in my V often fades or indicates NO SIGNAL when I'm in the shadow of any cutbank, hill, mountain, or tall building to the south of me. I understand the locations of the two system's orbiting satellites, i.e polar vs equatorial and the OP MANUAL comment re: the proximity of the Southern Cross for best XM reception, but I'm very disappointed with the install of XM in the V vis-a-vis Sirius for us folks in the northern hemisphere.At this point, I'm unsure of whether the interrupted reception I'm receiving is worth a monthly/annual subscription fee...unless XM is substantially less $$. I haven't checked out the fee structures yet.

[Drifter]

I have been enjoying uninterrupted Sirius reception in my 2010 Fusion since purchase, but the XM reception in my V often fades or indicates NO SIGNAL when I'm in the shadow of any cutbank, hill, mountain, or tall building to the south of me. I understand the locations of the two system's orbiting satellites, i.e polar vs equatorial and the OP MANUAL comment re: the proximity of the Southern Cross for best XM reception, but I'm very disappointed with the install of XM in the V vis-a-vis Sirius for us folks in the northern hemisphere.At this point, I'm unsure of whether the interrupted reception I'm receiving is worth a monthly/annual subscription fee...unless XM is substantially less $$. I haven't checked out the fee structures yet.

I've noticed the same thing in my V, but I believe it is a factor of the car's antenna and not the fault of the service. I have SiriusXM in two other vehicles and have no problems with reception, in the same areas where the V falters.

Yesterday I received a packet from SiriusXM regarding my V subscription, and a JD Powers survey form. The following is the cost breakdown as listed for SiriusXM:

XM Select (no Nav Traffic)

Monthly: $14.35
Quarterly: $43.05
1 yr (1 mo. free): $157.83
2 yrs (3 mos. free): $301.32
3 yrs (5 mos. free): $444.81

XM Select + Nav Traffic

Monthly: $18.34
Quarterly: $55.02
1 yr (1 mo. free): $201.72
2 yrs (3 mos. free): $385.11
3 yrs (5 mos. free): $568.50

[Curmudgeon]

I've noticed the same thing in my V, but I believe it is a factor of the car's antenna and not the fault of the service. I have SiriusXM in two other vehicles and have no problems with reception, in the same areas where the V falters.

I considered the difference between antennae due to the oft-reported poorer reception of the shark fins vs the dipole antennae. However, I'm also wondering about the source of the audio signal. My Fusion OM states that is contains Sirius and the V OM refers to XM. AFAIK, despite the SiriusXM merger, the merged companies are still utilizing their previous satellite systems which are located in differing orbits. The V's OM states that XM operates best when in areas where the Southern Cross is visible, e.g. SE Asia, a large market for Hyundai.

I may be entirely in error about this, but isn't my Fusion's Sirius and the V's XM receiving audio signals from differing sources despite the composite SiriusXM corporate name? It would be logical to expect the XM signal to be diminished in the PDX shadow locales from a satellite system in orbit above the equator vs Sirius' polar orbit.

[lobo302]

I've noticed the same thing in my V, but I believe it is a factor of the car's antenna and not the fault of the service. I have SiriusXM in two other vehicles and have no problems with reception, in the same areas where the V falters.

Yesterday I received a packet from SiriusXM regarding my V subscription, and a JD Powers survey form. The following is the cost breakdown as listed for SiriusXM:

XM Select (no Nav Traffic)

Monthly: $14.35
Quarterly: $43.05
1 yr (1 mo. free): $157.83
2 yrs (3 mos. free): $301.32
3 yrs (5 mos. free): $444.81

XM Select + Nav Traffic

Monthly: $18.34
Quarterly: $55.02
1 yr (1 mo. free): $201.72
2 yrs (3 mos. free): $385.11
3 yrs (5 mos. free): $568.50

Yea I got my invoice today too.They quoted me $ 15.99 a month.But few weeks ago I did go on site and saw a price of $ 9.99.I will ask them about this price. I think the price quote is for the " whole Package " they offer which I don't need.The basic one will do me just fine.

[Drifter]

I considered the difference between antennae due to the oft-reported poorer reception of the shark fins vs the dipole antennae. However, I'm also wondering about the source of the audio signal. My Fusion OM states that is contains Sirius and the V OM refers to XM. AFAIK, despite the SiriusXM merger, the merged companies are still utilizing their previous satellite systems which are located in differing orbits. The V's OM states that XM operates best when in areas where the Southern Cross is visible, e.g. SE Asia, a large market for Hyundai.

I may be entirely in error about this, but isn't my Fusion's Sirius and the V's XM receiving audio signals from differing sources despite the composite SiriusXM corporate name? It would be logical to expect the XM signal to be diminished in the PDX shadow locales from a satellite system in orbit above the equator vs Sirius' polar orbit.

Good questions. I'm not sure. One thing for sure, when I rode my bike to AK a couple years back, my XM signal using a GPS with external antenna disappeared north of Anchorage.

[SkyriderAR]

I've seen dropouts with both systems here in Arkansas. Fortunately the drops are very infrequent. For me the quality is similar. As I understand it, XM uses a single geostationary bird above the equater. Sirius uses a two satellite system, geostationary, but at an inclination. Both birds move north and south but remain in the same longitudinal position. Having the two birds in different positions effectively allows diversity reception, with the receiver able to pick up the best signal. They may have birds for other parts of the world, but I don't know.

I could be proved wrong on either of these systems, but this is my understanding. Polar orbits don't work because they would require a large number of satellites in order to have one or two always covering North America.

[Curmudgeon]

Just a final observation. If XM's best reception occurs in those areas that can view the Southern Cross (according to Hyundai's OM), it should be noted that the 'Cross' cannot be viewed in the northern hemisphere north of 25 degrees latitude, roughly a line drawn through Baja Norte and the U.S. coast of the Gulf of Mexico/Florida panhandle.

No wonder my V's reception goes into a 'no signal' mode every time I'm passing north of any near tall object, natural or manmade. In the PDX area & mountainous Oregon, that's often. I don't experience the same issue with Sirius, but the subscription charge is the same for both Sirius & XM although I receive less reception from XM. Bang for the buck? Not with XM in my vicinity.

[Drifter]

Just a final observation. If XM's best reception occurs in those areas that can view the Southern Cross (according to Hyundai's OM), it should be noted that the 'Cross' cannot be viewed in the northern hemisphere north of 25 degrees latitude, roughly a line drawn through Baja Norte and the U.S. coast of the Gulf of Mexico/Florida panhandle.

No wonder my V's reception goes into a 'no signal' mode every time I'm passing north of any near tall object, natural or manmade. In the PDX area & mountainous Oregon, that's often. I don't experience the same issue with Sirius, but the subscription charge is the same for both Sirius & XM although I receive less reception from XM. Bang for the buck? Not with XM in my vicinity.

I've had XM for 10 years and have had no issues in my other vehicles. The V is the first time I've had reception problems. I'm suspecting the antenna.

[MTD]

XM in both my Hyundais is near flawless. I lose reception every so often near tall builds or other large objects, but it doesnt bother me.

As for the price... Here in Canada it was free for the first 3 months before they started bugging me to renew. The initial renew was a special $5.99/month for 3 months, which I accepted.

Now, after the 3 months is close to lapsing, I call a day or two before and tell them I want to cancel unless the can offer me the same "special" deal. They always extend the offer and its been working for close to 2 years now.

[dianebrat]

This is my first XM in a car, I'm a boring person for me I've just been using XM for some occasionally NPR and 80's stuff, but it sounds awful to me, somewhere below FM quality, very low fidelity, in fact the NPR stuff is almost AM compared to my local FM station.

Is this common? I certainly can't see paying for this mediocre of a quality especially for music, maybe talk radio, but I don't think that's the goal for the folks at XM.

[BunkerMan]

I've been a Sirius subscriber for about 5 years now, but this is also the second vehicle in which I've had XM. I also know other people that have XM. Overall, Sirius' signal is much better. I've had 4 different Sirius radios and the signal will not cut out unless I'm parked under a bridge or something. I have Sirius in my F150 as well, and it behaves the same as the aftermarket units.

As for XM, on both my Veloster and the car I replaced it with, the signal cuts out frequently and I get the static sound. Friends of mine have the same issue in their GM vehicles as well. I don't know anyone with an aftermarket XM radio, so I can't attest to their signal quality.

I think the differences in satellite technology between the two providers is the culprit.

XM uses satellites in geostationary orbit, meaning they're essentially sitting still in relation to the earth. They have a few satellites and usually more than one is visible at any one time. Sirius on the other hand, also has more than one satellite, however, they are actually orbiting the earth. Because of the position of the XM satellites, people further north get a lower signal quality with XM.

This link is a little out of date, as both providers now have more satellites in orbit, but the premise is the same:

XM Satellites vs Sirius in orbit - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

[bria5544]

This is my first XM in a car, I'm a boring person for me I've just been using XM for some occasionally NPR and 80's stuff, but it sounds awful to me, somewhere below FM quality, very low fidelity, in fact the NPR stuff is almost AM compared to my local FM station.

Is this common? I certainly can't see paying for this mediocre of a quality especially for music, maybe talk radio, but I don't think that's the goal for the folks at XM.

I agree on the quality issue. I've been a Sirius customer for almost 8 years now and the quality of all Hyundai's built in XM radio's is appallingly bad compared to every single Sirirus radio I've had or heard. I've had stand alone and built in radio's and Hyundai's are all terrible.

Here's a good demo of what I'm talking about.

Just to clarify, I've heard XM in 4 of Hyundai's cars, 2012 Sonata Limited, 2011 Accent, 2012 V(my personal car), and a 2012 Elantra. They are all terrible, even with the upgraded sound systems.

[Kevin.NH]

I doubt I will pay for the XM service when the time comes. I lose the signal when I drive under a power line, not to mention every overpass or if there is a tall person next to my car. I'd much rather stream music from my phone, radio stations from the Tune In radio app or just listen to the radio. From what I have seen the various XM channels tend to repeat the same content over and over, that's what CDs are for. This is my first Hyundai but I have had similar performance problems using XM / Serious in a Pathfinder, Frontier and Prius.

[Aceoasis]

Save yourself some serious money. DO NOT renew your subscription. When they ask why you are going to discontinue service tell them about the poor reception and that FREE FM radio is just fine for your needs. They will immediately drop their price by as much as 50%. I got 1 year for $78 plus tax.
If they won't give you that deal over the phone, they will start sending you offers in the mail.

[Tjbaity6755]

no problems with my xm in the V. Great signal and sound , but I have never had any issues. I live in the southern U.S. and have had xm for 10 years . no complaints

[Haifisch]

I had XM in my 07 Impala but never used it. I'm using it in my V and it sounds good. The bass sounds good when on techno/hip hop. My only gripe is sometimes losing signal in say a drive through or my garage. I never lost signal in a parking garage oddly enough. I just wish i could scan the radio using the controls on the wheel instead of moving my hand up to my screen.

[tsiverns]

Don't know where this should go bu SirriusXM tells me that CBC radio is not available but I can get FOX news. CBC Radio2 should be available to Canadians and I don't want FOX thank you.

[arothman]

I get perfectly good signal on the XM unless I'm parked in my garage, but the sound quality is abysmal. It's like every station is broadcasting 64kbps MP3 files. All the high end attacks are splashy and distorted, and the low end is unfocused. I've heard XM in two other cars and it's been the same. I don't know how anyone can listen to that for long.

[Curmudgeon]

Sound quality may be affected in some areas by the nature of local repeaters...also your location, i.e. latitude, has a great influence on reception.

Since you don't identify your location, it is difficult to comment further.

[arothman]

I'm in Cleveland, Ohio (41 latitude).