Why does satellite radio sound so horrible?

BentZero · 05-11-2016, 09:03 PM

Anyone ever notice that the bass and highs are pretty muted when listening to satellite radio? I pretty much have to stream from amazon. I'm thinking of going with Spotify or Pandora though. Any feedback on those services? Amazon is okay, but their stations tend to repeat songs pretty regularly.

CanadianGatorBacon · 05-12-2016, 06:15 AM

If you like the satellite radio channels, what about streaming via your phone? You have it now as part of the trial package. Maybe that sounds better? I've read people say the satellite radio broadcast is super compressed.

Zooks527 · 05-12-2016, 07:12 AM

Massive overcompression. My free trial expires next week and I have zero interest in renewing.

BentZero · 05-12-2016, 07:31 AM

Yeah, I don't plan on renewing either. It's pretty lame. When I was showing my car to a friend she was like "My Accord sounds better than this." The shame was real.

OpenAir · 05-12-2016, 07:31 PM

I'm sure everyone is aware that they stream at 192~256Kb...and then compress that. Better than no HD FM, but that isn't saying much.

eflatminor · 05-16-2016, 03:51 PM

I stream Pandora through my iphone, which links to the car either through Bluetooth or a direct UBS connection under the arm rest.

I do it because 1) it's free; and 2) to expand my musical choices.

However, it most definitely sounds compressed compared to a CD. I would never test nor demonstrate the system with streamed music.

djarchow · 05-16-2016, 04:36 PM

I think it also depends on the channel. Some are acceptable and some (Ozzy's Boneyard is an example) sound horrible.

TiM235i · 05-16-2016, 05:20 PM

As all said, it's the compression that kills satellite's sound. I am in the 3 month trial of Spotify premium and for less than a year of Sirius, I can pay the monthly fee for Spotify -- and play it on the phone, PC, tablet, Smart TV, etc., etc...

When you select the higher bandwidth for Spotify, it really does sound good.

05-11-2016, 09:03 PM	#1
BentZero Lieutenant Colonel 626 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (2)	Why does satellite radio sound so horrible? Anyone ever notice that the bass and highs are pretty muted when listening to satellite radio? I pretty much have to stream from amazon. I'm thinking of going with Spotify or Pandora though. Any feedback on those services? Amazon is okay, but their stations tend to repeat songs pretty regularly. __________________ I rev-match from neutral to first 6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe Build thread
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05-12-2016, 06:15 AM	#2
CanadianGatorBacon Lieutenant 233 Rep 417 Posts Drives: M235i (holy crap!) Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: D.C. iTrader: (0)	If you like the satellite radio channels, what about streaming via your phone? You have it now as part of the trial package. Maybe that sounds better? I've read people say the satellite radio broadcast is super compressed.
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05-12-2016, 07:12 AM	#3
Zooks527 Captain 310 Rep 886 Posts Drives: 2015 M235xi / 2005 Tacoma 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mansfield, MA iTrader: (0)	Massive overcompression. My free trial expires next week and I have zero interest in renewing. __________________ 2015 M235xi coupe, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather, Fineline Stream trim, Steptronic, xDrive, ZPP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, 5DP, hk w/BimmerTech amp, Enhanced BT Prior 40 years: 67 BelAir wagon / 68 LeMans Tempest / 70 Mustang Mach 1 / 72 El Dorado / 78 Corvette / 81 Subaru GL wagon 4WD / 83 s10 Blazer 4x4 / 85 Bronco 4x4 / 96 Bronco 4x4 / 04 Passat 4mo / 09 BMW 335xi
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05-12-2016, 07:31 AM	#4
BentZero Lieutenant Colonel 626 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (2)	Yeah, I don't plan on renewing either. It's pretty lame. When I was showing my car to a friend she was like "My Accord sounds better than this." The shame was real. __________________ I rev-match from neutral to first 6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe Build thread
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05-12-2016, 07:31 PM	#5
OpenAir Captain 432 Rep 887 Posts Drives: Enzo F23 228i Join Date: May 2015 Location: MD, USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	I'm sure everyone is aware that they stream at 192~256Kb...and then compress that. Better than no HD FM, but that isn't saying much.
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05-16-2016, 03:51 PM	#6
eflatminor Private 58 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2016 228i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I stream Pandora through my iphone, which links to the car either through Bluetooth or a direct UBS connection under the arm rest. I do it because 1) it's free; and 2) to expand my musical choices. However, it most definitely sounds compressed compared to a CD. I would never test nor demonstrate the system with streamed music.
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05-16-2016, 04:36 PM	#7
djarchow Private First Class 64 Rep 155 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	I think it also depends on the channel. Some are acceptable and some (Ozzy's Boneyard is an example) sound horrible.
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05-16-2016, 05:20 PM	#8
TiM235i Private First Class 20 Rep 143 Posts Drives: '15 M235i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M235i [0.00]	As all said, it's the compression that kills satellite's sound. I am in the 3 month trial of Spotify premium and for less than a year of Sirius, I can pay the monthly fee for Spotify -- and play it on the phone, PC, tablet, Smart TV, etc., etc... When you select the higher bandwidth for Spotify, it really does sound good. __________________ 2015 M235i
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