Sirius (FM transmitter sound quality)

[shane_c]

I would like to get a new HU and a tuner box so I can have the best quality satellite radio sound but that gets a little expensive. GM has the GM1-SRI tuner (or something like that) that hooks to the factory stereo so that it's great quality but from what I've been hearing people can't get this to work on the Pontiac Vibe. The other option is going with the FM transmitter ones. For those that have the FM transmitter what is the sound quality like? Is it just like FM or does it sound a bit better?

[BLAQJAQ]

can't speak for anyone..but I get great sound quality..no problems..crystal clear...

[ColonelPanic]

The Sportster and Sportster Replay (and more than likely the Streamer as well since it is the same thing) have excellent FM transmitters. I've never felt the need to pursue directly connecting the Sirius tuner to the radio. Even if you directly connected the tuner to the radio, you'd still not quite get "CD quality" sound anyway.. The stuff that comes from the bird is just a stream of compressed data, think MP3 - so there's going to be some loss there. Using the transmitter, it sounds like FM since you're still using FM. I've found the lower the frequency, the better things sound - I use 87.7 MHz. That works perfect since no FM stations are allowed to broadcast there *but* that frequency is allocated for audio on TV channel 6. So, as I travel, sometimes I have to switch to a clean freq since the TV station interferes. And occasionally, passers by will have something set on the same frequency so you'll get a bit of static until they're past you. I've been able to listen to XM for a bit like that, *barf*! Those are the two main drawbacks I have with it, and they're nothing serious, just annoying sometimes.Anyway, another thing you can do, and this is what I did with my Vibe when I had it: Figure out which EQ settings sound best for the type of stuff you're listening to and save that EQ under one of your five custom EQ settings. Switch to that EQ after tuning to the station you have your Sirius tuner set to, then save the preset. Each time you flip over to your Sirius tuner frequency preset you're EQ setting will take effect and the sound will be how you'll like it.In summary: It should sound good enough. I'd seriously give the transmitter a chance before going through any additional expense and effort that hard wiring the thing would create.

[NUBlackshirts]

I use the FM transmitter on mine, and it works great!

[shane_c]

Do you guys have it connected to the factory stereo? Do you have aftermarket speakers and subs to go along with the Sirius? I'd love to see a pic of where you have it installed if you have one.

[ColonelPanic]

I don't have my car anymore, but hey, I still have pics. lol!You can see my old Sportster here: http://smg.photobucket.com/alb...irius/Initially, everything was all stock with mine - moon & tunes, stock speakers, nothing special. The Sirius antenna was mounted on the roof next to the roof rack, tucked the cable through the trim above the rear quarter panel window, ran it down under the door sill trim, came out around the B-pillar, then onto the tuner in the console storage bin up front. Plugged in power to the console outlet and ran it up there. That's all there was to it, two wires.Later on, I replaced the radio with a Panasonic CD/MP3 player that had a front panel aux in jack, I used that for Sirius once on a trip to Chicago so I wouldn't have to worry about finding a different freq. if the need presented itself. Still had stock everything else with my aftermarket HU.

[LUVROK]

I have the Starmate Replay connected to the factory stereo with a hard wired switch to turn the antenna off when the Sirius unit is turned on. The $20 switch was an improvement over no switch. I don't know if it's the FM transmitter or just the bandwidth of the satelite signal but the sound quality is lacking. Maybe it would sound good with cheap factory speakers installed but I wouldn't know as I installed the Starmate right after installing Polk Audio compnents in the front and two ways in the rear. I don't hear the full frequency range, some bass, and the highs get a tinny and clicking sound sometimes. IMO local FM quality is much better and CD and MP3 are 10x better. Still, I like the lineup so won't give it up.

[shane_c]

I was told that one of these would improve the quality of sound when using the FM modulator. It's made by XM but they told me it can be used on Sirius as well. Is anyone using one of these?http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...catid=

[LUVROK]

Very similar to what I have for Sirius...http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...il.do

[shane_c]

Did it make much of a difference in sound quality?

[melders]

Quote, originally posted by LUVROK »Very similar to what I have for Sirius...http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...il.doi bought one of those today, but it did not work. the adapter for the antena was to big....any ideas?

[ColonelPanic]

That probably has the standard Motorola antenna cables which everybody uses, except for 1988+ GM. You can buy adapters that take the Motorola style connections to GM style and vice versa. What sort of jacks does this thing have? Let us know, maybe we can help you find what you need.BTW, does it just connect to the "FM OUT" jack on Sirius tuners? I think I need one of these.

[LUVROK]

Quote, originally posted by melders »i bought one of those today, but it did not work. the adapter for the antena was to big....any ideas?You need Metra part # 40GM10 and/or 40GM21. I forget if I needed one or both. Circuit City & Best Buy should have them.

[KNINE]

I used to have the Audiovox XM unit and I had to buy the adapter that you have pictured from Circuit City and hard-wire it through the FM antenna. There was too much interference from the local FM stations. We have alot of FM stations in this area. Once I hard-wired it, it sounded great (FM quality). It was easy to do and worth the price of the adapter. I'm thinking about selling the Audiovox since I installed my Pioneer system, if I ever get around to taking pictures of it. Maybe I'll post it here. BTW, you will have to buy antenna cable adapters to fit the Vibe cable.

[melders]

Quote, originally posted by LUVROK »You need Metra part # 40GM10 and/or 40GM21. I forget if I needed one or both. Circuit City & Best Buy should have them.i needed both of those, i bought em today (EXPENSIVE!) and installed, and it works great, i think it is well worth the 31.00 for both of them...once again genvibe comes through and helps!i have been seein alot more vibes around town lately (which is great) but dont think any have been on here

[LUVROK]

$31 for the two adapters and $30 for the switch and $30 for an antenna...the stuff gets expensive. I posted up the new Pioneer Premier head unit I just purchased and will be switching from the starmate to the head unit. And I just ordered another starmate for my girlfriend for free after buying a home kit for my starmate and a 6 month 2nd subscription. I don't know wether to sell one of the starmates now or add a 3rd subscription for the home. I think Sirius charges #50 to switch a subsription from one unit to another. Good thing I have a few tubes of high pressure synthetic grease for my jeeps' u-joints...and I'll bet they won't even give me a reach around.