Audio: XM Satellite Radio reception in Model S

efusco · Sep 30, 2012

Can anyone who's gotten their Model S comment on the XM Sat reception? I'm particularly interested in the standard (non-pano) roof since they had to make a change to include XM in that configuration and I'm curious if reception will be acceptable. Also, if you previously had XM and experience with reception issues in your area how the XM reception in the S compares.

Of course info from pano vehicles is welcome too as others will be interested.

Evan, Via Tapatalk

Lloyd · Sep 30, 2012

Serious also has an app that allows you to play through a current subscription on a buletooth connection on your I phone. Works pretty cool and it saves another separate subscription.

gg_got_a_tesla · Oct 1, 2012

Not sure if this deal is still on: Freebie Friday: Get a free year of SiriusXM Internet radio | The Cheapskate - CNET News

efusco · Oct 1, 2012

Lloyd said:
Serious also has an app that allows you to play through a current subscription on a buletooth connection on your I phone. Works pretty cool and it saves another separate subscription.

I don't think you can get the sports channels through that app (used to be you couldn't anyway)..and that's a major reason I have XM.

JackA · Oct 1, 2012

Does anyone know what "XM Ready" means? If I pay about $1,000 for the upgraded sound system I get "XM Read?" Do I have to buy a radio and somehow integrate it? In my other vehicles it was built into the sound system, all I had to do was add a subscription.

AnOutsider · Oct 1, 2012

JackA said:
Does anyone know what "XM Ready" means? If I pay about $1,000 for the upgraded sound system I get "XM Read?" Do I have to buy a radio and somehow integrate it? In my other vehicles it was built into the sound system, all I had to do was add a subscription.

Means the module is in place, you just need to pay for a subscription and activate it.

gg_got_a_tesla · Oct 1, 2012

AnOutsider said:
Means the module is in place, you just need to pay for a subscription and activate it.

Yes; one of the early owners (dadaleus?) said that the trial subscription that Tesla paid for lasted a week and then, only the preview channel(s) was(were) available from that point on.

AnOutsider · Oct 1, 2012

gg_wants_a_tesla said:
Yes; one of the early owners (dadaleus?) said that the trial subscription that Tesla paid for lasted a week and then, only the preview channel(s) was(were) available from that point on.

Actually, I think it was just a free preview weekend that SiriusXM offered. Nada from Tesla

dsm363 · Oct 1, 2012

I was still getting XM reception but didn't check today. Didn't want to ask because I thought they might shut it off. If it's only a week then it's done by now.

JackA · Oct 29, 2012

dsm363: can you comment on the quality of XM sound in the Model S?

dsm363 · Oct 29, 2012

JackA said:
dsm363: can you comment on the quality of XM sound in the Model S?

Sure. I don't use it that much but next time I'm out I'll check it out. It seems fine from the last time I used it. I mostly listen to NPR though. Any particular channel I should check out?

NigelM · Oct 30, 2012

dsm363 said:
Sure. I don't use it that much but next time I'm out I'll check it out. It seems fine from the last time I used it. I mostly listen to NPR though. Any particular channel I should check out?

Reception of XM is more determined by geography than anything else. See this thread: Satellite-Radio-in-Florida

P.S. Channel won't make a difference. But I'm addicted to Coffee House.

JackA · Oct 30, 2012

dsm363: Please check any music channel playing music you like. I am not asking for a comparison with other media just your opinion of how XM delivered via Tesla's installed radio sounds to you. We have XM in all our vehicles, reception via OEM radios and I find the quality to be "CD like." Which for us is very acceptable.

dsm363 · Oct 30, 2012

NigelM said:
Reception of XM is more determined by geography than anything else. See this thread: Satellite-Radio-in-Florida

P.S. Channel won't make a difference. But I'm addicted to Coffee House.

Thanks. That makes sense. Reception is fine here in Texas. No problems with the music channels so far.

DrComputer · Oct 30, 2012

XM quality in any car is pretty bad. Since the XM Sirius merge they have compressed the hell out of every channel to less than FM quality. With options like using a USB key, iPod, Internet Radio, and HD radio I decided not to transfer my subscription to the S from my previous Lexus and just cancelled it.

mknox · Oct 30, 2012

DrComputer said:
XM quality in any car is pretty bad. Since the XM Sirius merge they have compressed the hell out of every channel to less than FM quality. With options like using a USB key, iPod, Internet Radio, and HD radio I decided not to transfer my subscription to the S from my previous Lexus and just cancelled it.

It's true. Even the compressed MP3s on my iPod sound way better than XM currently does. I think my current XM subscription runs out right around the time I'm expecting my S, so I'll probably just let it run out and not renew as well.

NigelM · Oct 31, 2012

I like it. Sound quality is ok for news, talk radio, weather, traffic and sports. Agree that in Model S the music from my iPhone sounds much better than XM.

Reception here was better than I expected, but remains to be seen how it works in the city where almost everyone loses the XM signal.

P.S. What I REALLY hate is dealing with the incompetent and almost unintelligible overseas call center that SiriusXM uses.

DrComputer · Oct 31, 2012

NigelM said:
Reception here was better than I expected, but remains to be seen how it works in the city where almost everyone loses the XM signal.

In most major cities XM Sirius uses ground repeaters to fill in the satellite gaps. Here in LA I could get XM in most parking structures because of the ground repeaters.

JackA · Oct 31, 2012

I have yet to hear the difference, in a moving car, that compressing (deleting frequencies not detectable by the ordinary human ear) makes. I fully believe that some people can hear it, however, I don't. Perhaps in the Model S it will be a real issue for me and I will have to stop listening to XM and record music to a USB drive. I will be unhappy because the only reason I am buying the Sound Studio package is to gain XM reception.

NigelM · Nov 1, 2012

DrComputer said:
In most major cities XM Sirius uses ground repeaters to fill in the satellite gaps.

I know, but I'm not sure that Sarasota qualifies as a "major city" :redface:

I was around town today and coverage seemed ok, but I lost signal a couple of times on the barrier islands.

Audio: XM Satellite Radio reception in Model S

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