XM Satellite Radio Vs. Sirius for your Auto Sound System Selection

If you're in the market for a new auto sound system you might want to seriously take a moment and consider whether or not you would be benefited by subscribing to either Sirius or XM Satellite Radio. Both of these subscription-based services have something wonderful to offer their subscribers and both of them require specialized equipment in order to operate. This means if you are going to wish to use either service, you will need to have decided which service before you have your auto sound system installed.

It really doesn't matter which of these you choose they each have different features that will appeal to a wide variety of audiences. You will find some wonderful competition among the two not only by way of music radio but also talk radio. If you really love talk radio you really need to subscribe to one of these in order to find a treasure chest of talk radio gems. You will find everything from the mundane to the controversial. From Oprah to Howard Stern exist in the realm of satellite radio, which seems to not only be catching on but also here to stay.

It has been commented on many times that XM Satellite Radio has a strong lead when it comes to subscriptions. This is very true but you should also keep in mind that the new subscribers seem to be leaning more towards Sirius for their satellite radio rather than going with the traditional favorite. I've checked out the line up and can't see that one has much of a clearly defined lead over the other so I can't give a definitive reason for the massive new subscribers to Sirius or even the phenomenal lead that XM Satellite radio is currently enjoying. Regardless if this is something that might interest you, you really should check out each website and decide for yourself which, if either, is more appealing to you as well as whether that appeal is worth the investment and the monthly subscription fee.

I will say this however: XM Satellite Radio for the moment seems to have much better toys to offer consumers. That being said, I'm actually quite surprised that the vast number of new subscribers are going with Sirius rather than XM. Of course, being the gadget geek that I am, I am basing that surprise solely on the fact that XM seems to have much better toys. At the moment XM is offering some really cool gadgets that double not only as XM Satellite Radio receivers but also offer GPS functionality and navigation assistance and controls. Some of these devices even go one step further and play DVDs, CDs, MP3s, among other things.

Believe me, Sirius has a lot to offer its customers as well, I'm simply thrilled over select items that can be found at XM that I really haven't seen adequate competition for elsewhere. On the level of music, both seem to carry similar genres, lineups, etc. The same holds true for the Talk radio line up. The only major difference I am finding between the two are the gadgets. Even the prices are rather competitive with one another. I see only one other major difference and that is the fact that Sirius offers a lifetime membership that cost about the same as the five-year plan from XM Satellite Radio. The thing to remember however is that the lifetime membership is for the lifetime of the device not the subscriber.

I should also point out that opting for satellite radio more than likely will not eliminate your need for a new auto sound system it may however pose certain requirements for the type of sound system you will be able to choose. One thing I have noticed with both companies is that there are plenty of devices from which to choose. You will have your hands full selecting the right equipment for your auto sound system upon which to enjoy the wonderful sounds that satellite radio will bring to your ears each and every day.

Great Brands For Cheap

If you are one of the many people across the country considering a new auto sound system, there is a great deal of good news. First of all, it is very possible to find a good bargain on a nice sound system for your car, truck, or SUV if you are willing to shop online and install the system yourself. The problem often lies not in the cost of the system but the price of the installation. However, the cost of installation is well worth the dollar amount for many of us who really have no clue what to do as far as a project of that scope goes. I for one am among the electronically challenged and not really willing to risk my dash board for an experiment in frustration and failed electronics.

That being said, there are many who are either perfectly and wonderfully capable of installing a nice auto sound system or are fortunate enough to know someone or someone who knows someone who is. For you, finding a great bargain online is probably the best way to go-provided you've actually been in the shop and heard the sound quality of the particular system you are considering. I would never recommend buying a system you've never heard in action no matter how great of a bargain you think you are getting.

I've found that some of these systems are not even as good as the minimal factory installed systems that come standard in most cars, trucks, or SUVs on the road today. You do not want to pay money and spend time and effort for the installation of a sound system that isn't at least better than the one you currently have.

There are times when you do not have to go with top of the line or well known brands in order to have a great sound or auto sound system. But there are some well-known, good quality makers of sound systems that do not cost a fortune. You can find some very nice sound systems that are not exactly top of the line but also offer great quality sound and excellent features (particularly when compared to factory installed sound systems).

If you're looking for a very nice auto sound system you can find some good ones by popular brands for well under $300. They have some that are even less expensive but those in the $300 range generally offer a little boost in quality from those that can be found at lower prices. Of course, this isn't always the case and you will occasionally find some excellent systems at even lower prices than this. You and you alone can tell if the system you choose is one that you will be happy with.

The thing to remember is to listen to the sounds of the systems then make your decision and compare prices. Alpine, Kenwood, and JVC all have excellent auto sound systems in a wide variety of price ranges. There are times with these systems that paying a little extra is worth it. If you are satisfied with the quality of a less expensive sound system however, there is no real reason why you should purchase a more expensive system. You are the one who will be riding in your car, truck, or SUV and it is only important what you think of the system you select.

Ever Evolving

Finding auto sound systems that can keep up with the constantly evolving technology of today is a real challenge for many car and sound enthusiasts not only around the nation but also around the world. There was a time in the not so distant past when car stereos that had CD players or CD disc changers where the cutting edge of technology. New technology however has nearly rendered the CD players in cars as obsolete as long forgotten 8-track players. The sad news is that many carmakers are clinging to the old days and only offer something as modern as cassette players as standard equipment for auto sound systems.

I think those days will soon be forgotten, as cassettes are no longer even in mainstream production. You should also find that as CDs are rapidly becoming replaced by MP3s that take up very little space in our cars and homes, one day very soon we may see that music companies have decided it is no longer cost effective to produce CDs and render all music to digital formats. So, what does this mean for auto sound systems? It's actually good news for savvy manufacturers are well as savvy consumers who have their eyes on the future and the growing role technology is playing in our lives and as well as our commute to work.

We've seen a recent introduction of satellite radio to our selection of auto sound systems. These stations offer the allure of no commercial interruptions to your music play in exchange for the price of a monthly subscription. At the moment there are two major companies that offer this service to consumers and each have rather proprietary equipment for their use and installation into your car. They are actually offering some rather tempting offers in order to encourage subscribers. Among those wonderful offers are auto sound systems for your vehicle at less than $100 with a prepaid year of subscription services.

For the satellite radio companies this indicates a constantly growing pool of prospective subscribers and the cost of the equipment is a drop in the bucket when compared to customer loyalty and being on the cutting edge of sound technology. The drawback is that you must decide which service you wish to go with before making the purchase. Also while they offer a very nice auto sound system (bare bones kind of kit that only allows for the radio reception in most cases) at a very sweet price, if you want upgrades such as MP3 compatibility, CD players, CD changers, DVD players, GPS, or any number of other new and advanced technology you will still have to purchase those for your sound system at an upgraded price. There are a few packages that come with these things, but the price is a little on the hefty side. Oh the sacrifices we will make for a more enjoyable daily commute.

Know what your expectations are before you decide to purchase the auto sound system of your dream or you could find that it is more the stuff that nightmares are made of than sweet dreams. Do not live in constant fear that if you buy today you will find something you like better 6 months from now, that is a reality. Technology is growing and evolving at a frightening pace. Find the auto sound system that you like best today and make that your purchase. This is a much better option than waiting around indefinitely and purchasing one just as your warranty expires on your car and it's time for a trade in and another auto sound system.

How to get a cheap but banging sound system

Despite popular belief, it is quite possible to get a great quality auto sound system even if you are operating on a limited budget. I completely understand your skeptical glances and the comments and grumbles that being on a budget means different things to different people. I can tell you without a doubt that you can get a really nice sound system for your car, truck, or SUV even if your budget is less then $300.

There are several things you can do as a savvy consumer that will help drive the price of the wonderful sound you seek to a bare minimum if you use a few tips, tricks, and techniques, in order to do so. First of all, the competition in this market is fairly fierce. As a result of that you will find that prices tend to be pretty competitive from one shop to another and that your best bargains are usually going to be found online. Search around online and find the absolute best bargain you can find on the auto sound system of your dreams.

Once you've found the lowest online price, get on the phone with local retailers. Many local stores understand the need to compete on a much larger scale. As a result they are often willing to match prices and even through in perks such as installation or freebie upgrades in order to sweeten the deal. Once you've gotten a few upgrades from local markets, continue calling around and let them compete with one another for your business. Take into account the value of the freebies and upgrades to you. If you really have no use for the bobble head hula girl then skip that offer and go for the one that offers an upgrade on speakers or an extended warranty thrown in for free. Make sure that the upgrades are really worth something to you. Also consider the value of the upgrade verses the price and go with the best bargain.

Another truth when it comes to purchasing an auto sound system is that you do not have to buy the 'best known' or biggest name brand in order to get a great sound and excellent quality. Spend your money where it matters most to you. Sometimes you are paying for nothing more than the name attached to a product. I'm a huge fan of Bose. I love the sound and have yet to find a product that can offer the quality of sound at a lower price. That does not mean I would not jump at the chance to buy an untried brand if the sound in the display equaled the quality of sound I can get with a Bose sound system. In fact, I have held onto an SUV for 10 years because I'm not ready to give up my sound system and my truck still runs. A Bose system is not a budget investment, but you can find bargains that are similar and sound wonderful. In other words, don't become a name brand snob if you don't have to.

In reality, there are many discount dealers you can find both online and off that will be more than happy to hook you up with a great set of sound for your car, truck, or SUV at a really great price. It simply takes a little leg and phone work on occasion to find them.

A Good Auto Sound System is a Requirement not a Luxury

How do you decide which auto sound system is best for you? This is a question that many consumers ask in the U. S. each and every day. The truth is that only you can decide what kind of sound you find enjoyable and what you are seeking in the sound system you will ultimately purchase. A good sound system will greatly improve how you feel about not only the vehicle you drive but also your disposition after your daily commute. It may seem like such a small thing, the changing of a sound system, but it does seem to have such a profound impact on how we start our days. Of course we all know that getting your day off to a good start sets the tone for the entire day and if that day is Monday it sets the tone for not only the day ahead but also the week to come.

Music affects almost every aspect of our lives. Most of us do not realize the impact that music has on our day-to-day lives and it is quite difficult because our world seems to be filled with it. It is much easier however, to explain the difference a good sound system makes. It's funny, I find myself in a hurry to get out of stores that have lousy sound systems and speakers that dribble out little more than static while I can shop for hours in a store that has tasteful music playing in the background over a good sound system. I prefer the volume lower and the music playing in the background rather than being the center of my attention.

Most of us find that soft music playing in the background is rather unobtrusive and allows us to get along with our thoughts and the mission at hand while loud music blaring over antiquated speakers does a great deal to disrupt our thought processes which will only serve to send us along to the next errand on our list. If you'll notice it seems that clerks in the stores where the loud music blares along are often not as even tempered as those in stores that play music at respectful volumes and have very well kept sound systems. I think I would be cranky too after listening to music in a manner that music wasn't meant to be heard.

I'm not a music snob by any means; I simply enjoy listening to music for the sake of actually hearing the music. Loud music is good sometimes but not when I have other things on my mind. I prefer that music remain in the background when I'm running about taking care of errands, even in the car. The hallmark of a good auto sound system is that it sounds good even at low volumes. This means you can enjoy music in the background, hum along, or simply ignore the music in favor of the action taking place on the road.

The point I'm trying to make is that even though you may not realize the impact that a good auto sound system has on music immediately, you will definitely feel the difference it makes over time. The better the sound system, the better the sound and music is after all, sound.

If you are a true lover of music and spend a great deal of your week or even any given day in your vehicle, doesn't it make sense to invest heavily in your auto sound system? I know for me that particular decision is a no brainer. I love music and it is an important part of not only my life but also the lives of my children. As a result we spend a lot of time listening to the radio in our SUV and singing along. Even when we aren't listening to music, I enjoy listening talk radio and the news on NPR. These things are an important part of my day and I really enjoy all that each and every one adds to my life. Because of that, I find my investment in a good auto sound system to be a requirement rather than a luxury.