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Hi, Paul!
I went into XM Radio knowing that the sound
quality would not equal CD. I went into it
because I knew the sound quality and programming
would considerably best FM radio.
My best analysis of XM Radio is in my car. I
upgraded to a semi-expensive hardwired Alpine
head unit and added subwoofer support. Even with
this very decent auto sound system, I can hear
the shortcomings in the presentation.
Vocal highs do get muffled. Many times I'll
hear songs I am very familiar with, but somehow,
they now sound slightly different. Instrumental
may overshadow a vocal or I may even hear a
particular instrument or synthesized sound to
be much more prominant than it should be. I
also find that I have to play XM at louder volume
levels than I would a CD.
I think the overall problem is that the bandwidth
given to these satellite radio services (or perhaps
what is used) is not as plentiful as it should be.
To be honest, I'd be happier if they cut 20 stations
in order to provide the absolute maximum amount of
bandwidth they could so that the music actually does
sound as good as CD.
Overall, I am highly satisfied with XM radio.
It sounds close enough to CD that I don't even
listen to CDs in my car anymore. I think the
element of "surprise - look what's on next"
overshadows the limitations in sound quality.
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