Rtipping Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I had Sirius Satellite Radio trial in a 2009 Escape then 4 years later in a 2013 Edge SEL and they sounded great - Had my fusion about a week now and Sirius sounds terrible I mean you cant listen to it terrible its like a traffic report on AM. Whats up wit that ? Btw FM is OK - mp3 (Via USB) is how I expected everything to sound. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Which channel? Some are more compressed than others. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtipping Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 Which channel? Some are more compressed than others. Well today I just cruised through maybe 59 channels to see if I just remembered 1 or 2 good ones from the past (I actually really liked Sirius In my edge and Escape). Most everything sounded terrible to much sibilance and low mid just nasty. Some of the jazz channels where Ok as was one classical channel but on the classical again the sibilance was miserable but at least it was clean one or 2 of the country channels where O but really tinny compared to CD .The pop soft rock was awful may as well been AM.I think out of all of them the Jazz was richest I tried surround vs stereo but that just dispersed awfulnesses did not make it any better I also tried tone control got some improvement with that, 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L454S Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Agree, it's like listening to AM radio compared to listening to my thumb drive. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip89105 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Mine sounds great, but I've only listened to channels 5 thru 8. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I think it just depends on how sensitive your ears are and what you are used to. Most of it sounds pretty good to me with the Sony radio. If you have the base radio that would explain a lot - I've heard it's not as good as some of the older vehicles. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtipping Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) Mine sounds great, but I've only listened to channels 5 thru 8. 8 does sound good I tried on the ride home everything sounds like it should. I think it just depends on how sensitive your ears are and what you are used to. If you have the base radio that would explain a lot Im not terribly picky i dont think but I guess we are spoiled these days my Nexus 5 phone sounds brilliant I mean its amazing but its also streaming not really the same thing. I dont know if I got the base Sony how do I tell ?the window sticker just said Sony Branded audio ? I dont see a model number or anything. I dont suppose the owners manual would be much help as it covers all models I imagine. Becouse I ve always had Fords and the last 2 Edge,Escape sounded good I did not think about it much when i was shopping. I followed the Vin back to original dealer (My dealer did not have AWD on the lot) it says Equipment Group 300A Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost Includes paddle shift. Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic w/SelectShift Tires: P235/45VR18 Wheels: 18" Polished Aluminum Heated Leather Front Sport Seats Includes 10-way power driver seat with 3 memory settings and 10-way power passenger seat. Radio: AM/FM Stereo w/MP3/Single-CD Player Includes Sony Premium Audio with 12 speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio with 6-month prepaid subscription and USB. SYNC w/MyFord Includes voice-activated communications, vehicle health reports and entertainment system with 911 Assist. I guess we have conflicting opinions on premium - lol - Asked them to change the wheels should have asked for a better stereo. Edited January 7, 2016 by Rtipping 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Sony is the premium radio. If you've checked all the sound settings then it's probably just the Sirius compression and your personal preference. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtipping Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 (edited) Gonna have another go at the settings this can't be just preference it sounds terrible and again nothing but ford's in 20 years nothing sounded this bad. I repeat I'm a sirius fan. Edited January 7, 2016 by Rtipping 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bman505 Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I think Sirius is just too compressed to sound good in my opinion. I got a free trial when I bought the car and man it did not take me very long to decide that the sound quality did not make it worth it. I think I could only stand about 3 days of my 3 month trial. Your mileage may vary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtipping Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 "Your mileage may vary." Lol - im working on the tone controls - im on a mission. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Rider Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Hello, I have to agree that the sound quality of SiriusXM in my Fusion Hybrid is so terrible - I just canceled my subscription. My 2014 Hybrid came with a higher end radio system with navigation. AM/FM, AUX, USB and CD's sound fine. The SiriusXM sounds warbley or as one user on this forum aptly described: "like sound projected through a fan". The Leslie organ effect ! I travel for work and drive a ton of new rental cars. It seems to be a consistent issue with Fords but not all. Never had this issue with SXM on GM, or Chrysler. I love my Fusion Hybrid!! And I like SXM... so needless to say I'm disappointed Henry ! Seems like a (Ford) receiver issue to me. By the way - when I called SiriusXM for technical help - they offered to replace the receiver with a stand alone aftermarket unit. Not what I had in mind when I bought a brand new car.... I'm going back to Ford. I know I'm not the only one with this issue but I have yet to see anyone have this corrected. Any input would be appreciated. Happy New Year ! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L454S Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) My experience is that it is probably not a Ford issue. Traded a 13 Malibu for the Fusion, it was just as bad. Had a factory Bose system in a C6 Corvette a few years ago, and it was pretty AM sounding in that car too. I tend to take it for free trials (had 3 this year), but after dealing with them for many years, in my case it's not worth paying for. My daughter uses it, pays for it, and likes it in her 15 Fusion. Edited January 9, 2016 by L454S 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Rider Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Well my last rental was a Dodge Charger that I had for a week. The SiriusXM sound on the Dodge was crystal clear. (nice ride too by the way) Still hoping for an explanation. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionDiffusion Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 (edited) I think Howard Stern, Classical, and Jazz channels get extra bandwidth and sound better. But I can still hear compression artifacts even on those, so as you can imagine I find all the other stations intolerable (I used to do semi-professional sound so I have good ears). Even the 64 kbps AAC compression you get over your phone (lowest setting) listening to internet radio sounds lightyears better. Sirius is banking on people being more concerned with getting the content they want rather than how it sounds (classic case of quantity over quality). If they pared down to only having a dozen different stations instead of 130 then they could make it sound WAY better (almost CD quality). Until they do that, I will not be a paying customer and will stick to my Apple Music Radio and Pandora... If it sounds better on different cars or makes it could just be the radio. If you muddle the higher frequencies (like if the car doesn't have separate tweeters) then it's harder to hear the compression artifacts. Also from what I hear vehicles equipped with XM receivers (GM products) have slightly better audio quality due to different compression and bandwidth technology (Sirius and XM are completely separate satellite/receiver systems that just broadcast the same content). Edited January 12, 2016 by FusionDiffusion 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rtipping Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 I think Howard Stern, Classical, and Jazz channels get extra bandwidth and sound better. But I can still hear compression artifacts even on those, so as you can imagine I find all the other stations intolerable (I used to do semi-professional sound so I have good ears). Even the 64 kbps AAC compression you get over your phone (lowest setting) listening to internet radio sounds lightyears better. Sirius is banking on people being more concerned with getting the content they want rather than how it sounds (classic case of quantity over quality). If they pared down to only having a dozen different stations instead of 130 then they could make it sound WAY better (almost CD quality). Until they do that, I will not be a paying customer and will stick to my Apple Music Radio and Pandora... If it sounds better on different cars or makes it could just be the radio. If you muddle the higher frequencies (like if the car doesn't have separate tweeters) then it's harder to hear the compression artifacts. Also from what I hear vehicles equipped with XM receivers (GM products) have slightly better audio quality due to different compression and bandwidth technology (Sirius and XM are completely separate satellite/receiver systems that just broadcast the same content). I did notice the classical and jazz sounded better I used to be a pro musician about a hundred years ago back then it was all tape no digital . One thing I did try which was a tip of the hat to the old days was to completely flatten the tone and add extra gain(turn up volume and then very gradually bring in the tone - still presumably in the minus) i remember we did something similar back in the day it always freaked me out that you could make something louder by reducing the gain. I'm somewhat pacified that you can improve a stations sound that way but of course change the channel your back to square one - not to mention if you run the usb at that volume it will rip your ears off. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaFusion16 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I have a 2016 Fusion SE. The FM sounds great and the usb also great. The Sirus sounds HORRIBLE. I too, think it sounds like an AM station. I just let my free trial go. I listened to it maybe 3 days. I had a Dodge Caliber RT and that sirus sounded pretty good. It did have the premium sound with sub. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOval2010 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 My experience with Sirius also lasted about 3 days, but I'm a big spoiled brat when it comes to my music. I can listen to about 15 sec of any song and without knowing the original source identify vinyl, CD, or compressed something or the other. I don't know it all, but I do know that when I slip one of my remastered MoFi CD's into the Sony system it really comes alive. Probably not fair to compare Sirius to that, but that's the way it is. Sirius is ok if you like talk radio. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachboy Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Does anyone know how many car purchasers keep Sirius XM for the long term? I've paid for the service going on six years now. With my factory Ford radio (not Sony), SXM sounds as good as FM to my ears. But I get sick of having to call SXM every year and threaten to cancel my subscription unless they give me a discounted offer. Why don't they just offer loyal customers the best price upfront? Even with the discounted price, it's still not a good value for me, as I only have the radio turned on maybe an hour or two a month. I just prefer peace and quiet when I'm driving (a far cry from when I was a teenager!). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip89105 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 (edited) SXM used to have lifetime subscriptions, but got rid of those around 2011. I paid about $495 in 2009 for every available channel, forever, on another vehicle. I used to travel a bunch and SXM was my connection to the world for NASCAR, MLB, NFL, and music while on the road. I'd buy the lifetime package again if it was still available. But you're right, nowadays folks have to call every 6 months to haggle a $30 renewal. You can try to haggle for a year, but most only get a 6 month offer from SXM. Edited March 14, 2016 by zip89105 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Why don't they just offer loyal customers the best price upfront? For the same reason that car salespeople never offer the best price upfront no matter how many cars you may have purchased at that dealership. Also, they have automatic renewal on your credit card and some people are just too lazy to call up and negotiate. SXM used to have lifetime subscriptions, but got rid of those around 2011. I paid about $495 in 2009 for every available channel, forever, on another vehicle. I used to travel a bunch and SXM was my connection to the world for NASCAR, MLB, NFL, and music while on the road. I'd buy the lifetime package again if it was still available. But you're right, nowadays folks have to call every 6 months to haggle a $30 renewal. You can try to haggle for a year, but most only get a 6 month offer from SXM. The fine print on those "lifetime" subscriptions stipulated that it was the lifetime of that particular receiver, not your lifetime . If it broke, was stolen or you changed receivers, there was a $75 transfer fee with a limit of three and that applied only to home, portable and dock & Play units, not cars. 9. Lifetime Subscription Plan: A "Lifetime Subscription" is one that continues for the life of the Receiver equipment. Lifetime Subscriptions are nonrefundable. You may cancel a Lifetime Subscription but if you cancel during the first year of service you will be charged a cancellation fee set forth in these Terms. Non Automotive Receivers: A Lifetime Subscription associated with a home, portable, or dock & play Receiver is transferable from one Receiver to another Receiver, up to a maximum of three (3) times. For each permitted transfer of a subscription from one Receiver to another or from one person to another you will be charged a transfer fee set forth in these Terms. Automotive Receivers: A Lifetime Subscription is not transferable if it is associated with a Receiver installed by an automaker or an automotive dealer in a vehicle, except in the event the original Receiver associated with that Lifetime Subscription is stolen, accidentally damaged or if, in the sole discretion of XM, it is defective. For each permitted transfer of a subscription from one person to another based upon a stolen or accidentally damaged Receiver you will be charged a transfer fee set forth in these Terms. No transfer fee will be charged for the transfer of a Lifetime Subscription associated with a Receiver installed by an automaker. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 We have it and pretty much listen to 70s, 80s and the Highway (sort of country). Sounds fine to me but we're not audiophiles. We just like having consistent mostly commercial free music especially on long trips. I don't like the yearly renewal hassle but it obviously works for them or they wouldn't keep doing it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyross Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I have found the audio quality a bit variable. Since my 2011 just says 'Sirius', I assume it only works with the low-earth-orbit satellites. That means the signal is variable and some of the issues could be due to a poor signal. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I have found the audio quality a bit variable. Since my 2011 just says 'Sirius', I assume it only works with the low-earth-orbit satellites. That means the signal is variable and some of the issues could be due to a poor signal. There is no difference - Sirius was not yet merged with XM in 2011. They all use satellites but the signal is digital - you either get it or you don't there are no degrees of sound quality. What is variable is the compression they use on each channel which can also vary by time of day. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachboy Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I have a yearly contract for the "Select" plan, and the normal annual renewal cost is $204.88. After calling SXM and threatening to cancel it, they magically find a "discounted" rate, and I end up paying $122.90. That's still too much for how little I listen to the radio, now that I'm not using the car for daily commuting anymore. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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