Page: 9 of 9
In this report

See Also

Satellite Radio: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. CNet.com
As of Sept. 2008
Editors' top satellite radio receivers (XM)
by John P. Falcone
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

CNet.com reviews Sirius and XM satellite receivers, with the best models making it to this list. Some of the radios listed here are now discontinued, including the highest-rated one. The most recently… reviewed receiver, the Audiovox Xpress (XM), does not fare particularly well with the editors, and users seem to like it even less. The Tivoli Model Satellite is expensive, but this table radio for Sirius subscribers delivers "enviable" sound and style.

expand

collapse

2. PCMag.com
As of Sept. 2008
Product Guide: Satellite Radio
by Editors of PC Magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Like most reviewers, PC Magazine has not reviewed a satellite receiver in quite some time, though some of the products on this page are still available. The Pioneer inno (now the inno2BK) is deemed an… Editors' Choice. However, editors note that the Samsung Helix is nearly identical, with only inferior earbuds and a plastic case (rather than brushed aluminum) separating the two. In an older review, Bill Howard calls the Delphi RoadyXT the simplest way to add satellite radio to a vehicle.

expand

collapse

3. Orbitcast.com
Dec. 5, 2006
Delphi SkyFi3
by Editors of Orbitcast.net
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Editors at Orbitcast say that the huge 2.8-inch screen is just one of the many great features on the Delphi SkyFi3. Editors also love the microSD slot, which adds the option of removable and expandable storage for MP3s, as well as pause-and-play ability. The editors don't like the monochrome display or the fact that a microSD card has to be purchased separately.
4. CNet.com
Aug. 15, 2007
Sirius Stiletto 2
by Jasmine France
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

In this brief overview, Jasmine France says that the Stiletto 2 remedies CNet's major complaint regarding the discontinued but still available Stiletto 100 -- its bulkiness -- noting that the Stiletto 2 is… 25 percent smaller and lighter. Other improvements include enhanced Wi-Fi support for commercial hot spots and a microSD card for memory expansion. More than a dozen users (as of our last visit) also weigh in, and most say they are pleased.

expand

collapse

5. CNet.com
Oct. 1, 2007
Hands-on: XM XpressRC
by Don Reisinger
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment CNet.com blogger Don Reisinger notes at the top that he has little love for satellite radio. He comments, however, that as a piece of hardware, the Delphi XpressRC is very impressive. He says that the XpressRC jumps out at you with its full-color, easy-to-read display. He goes on to give specific details of the features that he loves. His only complaint is a small power button.
6. Sound & Vision Magazine
June 2006
Pioneer Inno XM2go Portable Satellite Radio
by John Sciacca
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment John Sciacca compares the Pioneer inno (now shipping as the inno2BK) favorably with earlier options and notes that it is probably comparable to the similar Samsung Helix, but offers no direct product comparisons. He likes the inno's versatility and portability (in spite of some reception problems), but feels the price relative to other portable units is the inno's biggest drawback.
7. DigitalTrends.com
Aug. 7, 2006
Pioneer Inno
by Rebecca Day
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Digital Trends' Rebecca Day says that the inno is considerably superior to earlier portable XM products. She concludes that reception dropouts were comparable to AM and FM where the product was auditioned. Day likes the inno's ergonomics and sound quality (in that order), but would prefer longer battery life.
8. SiriusBuzz.com
As of Sept. 2008
Sirius XM News: Products
by Editors of SiriusBuzz.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

SiriusBuzz reviews not only Sirius but also XM products in their Sirius XM News column, and also has reviews of some of the latest satellite radio products on the market -- even before they're available to… the public. A great site to visit for information on the latest products, SiriusBuzz is strong in reporting product features. Their weakness is in omitting product pitfalls. They review each radio individually, not in comparison to others. Additionally, many of their products are sent to them from their sponsors, so the reviews do seem like you're reading advertisements.

expand

collapse

9. Amazon.com
As of Sept. 2008
Satellite Radio Receivers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Amazon.com landing pages include the user ratings, and the site has information indicating how many reviews the product has received. Still, like all user reviews, the quality can vary greatly and is most… useful for satellite radios that have accumulated a lot of feedback. Also, lots of reviews address the overall experience -- including the radio service -- not just the hardware, so it's important to read the reviews to put ratings into context.

expand

collapse

10. Crutchfield.com
As of Sept. 2008
Reviews & Reports: Satellite Radio
by Editors of Crutchfield.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Crutchfield, a long-established mail-order reseller of consumer electronics, offers a considerable amount of free content on their website to help consumers choose among the products they sell, including satellite radios. All satellite radios here receive at least a handful of user reviews, and a few get considerable feedback.
11. The Wall Street Journal
Aug. 24, 2006
Radio Daze
by Sarah McBride
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Five WSJ employees audition XM and Sirius radio, comparing them favorably with commercial radio and portable MP3 players. They use the portable Pioneer inno for XM, but do not evaluate the unit. They're enthusiastic about the music and sports programming of both services, but annoyed by uneven reception and dissatisfied with the total costs of usage.
12. Sirius Backstage Forum
As of Sept. 2008
Radios and Receivers
by Contributors to Sirius Backstage Forum
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Sirius Backstage Forum provides user-to-user information on everything Sirius -- including radio receivers. Most radio models have several threads, and there are separate sub-forums dedicated to the Sirius Stiletto, Sirius Internet radio and the now-discontinued S50.
13. Xmfan.com
As of Sept. 2008
XM Hardware and Accessories
by Contributors to XMfan.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

XMfan.com bills itself as the XM Radio Community, and the wealth of discussions within its forums backs that up. The XM Hardware & Accessories forum includes many discussions about the ins and outs of… various XM radio receivers and other equipment, as well as user reviews. Like all sites of this type, the quality of what's offered varies greatly, but there's enough feedback here to help users learn what works -- and what doesn't.

expand

collapse

14. ConsumerReports.org
May 2008
Satellite Radio
by Editors of Consumer Reports
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Consumer Reports learned that most of its subscribers who responded to a poll are highly satisfied with satellite radio, but hate paying for it. Editors compare the two services, noting that sports programming -- and the sports followed -- could influence which service is best. Equipment is only addressed in generalities, and no recommendations are made.
15. Gizmodo
Aug. 15, 2007
Sirius Sportster 5 Goes Color
by Editors at Gizmodo.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In this brief article, the Sportster 5's features are listed. The editors state that the only real upgrade from the Sportster 4 to the Sportster 5 is the addition of 15 customizable backlight colors.
16. Epinions.com
As of Sept. 2008
Satellite Radio Receivers
by Contributors to Epinions
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Product owners contribute their own reviews to this site. Although the reviews are helpful for identifying consistent complaints, reviewers have rarely used competing products, so they lack the frame of reference to compare products. Epinions has considerably fewer reviews of satellite radio receivers than either Amazon.com or CircuitCity.com, so it's the least useful of these sites.

Useful Links

     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  

Back to top