XM Radio Recievers

XM satellite radio hardware

So-called "plug-and-play" satellite radio receivers can be used in your home or in your car, but you'll need to hook them up to a stereo (your car stereo, home stereo or boom box) to actually listen to live satellite radio.

The Delphi XpressRC (*Est. $120) for XM radio has garnered praise from experts and users, lauding its features and functionality. With a buffer that saves up to 60 minutes of programming, users can pause and replay what they have just heard, provided the radio is not powered off. You can also skip forward and backward through the replay list. The XpressRC features a full-color, split-screen display which allows users to view what's playing on up to three different channels on the right side of the screen, while displaying the current channel on the left side. With an Auto Dimmer function, you can opt for the display to automatically adjust brightness from daytime to nighttime.

Other features include SongSaver, which allows you to save your ten favorite songs and then replay them whenever you'd like; GameSelect, for setting the sporting events you'd like to hear; TuneSelect, which alerts you when artists or songs of your selection are on an XM channel; ten channel presets; and stock and sports tickers. The XpressRC comes with a remote control. One reviewer did complain about small design issues (namely, a small power button) and an under-utilized knob control.

The XpressRC lacks a wireless transmitter. Instead, the car kit comes with a cassette adapter. For cars that lack a cassette deck, or for those looking for a more professional-looking alternative, other options are available, but those require extra-cost accessories or connecting cables, and professional installation might be required.

The XpressRC can also be used with compatible home stereo receivers via a kit (*est. $40), which includes a dock, antenna, patch cable and AC power adapter. It can also mate with a compatible boom box, such as the Delphi Premium Sound System (*est. $150).

The Delphi SkyFi3 (*Est. $80) is a total redesign of the popular SkyFi2. It has a larger, nine-line monochrome display and ships with an included car kit. It can record up to ten hours of satellite radio content in its internal memory, and has a TiVo-like chasing playback feature that lets you listen to the beginning of the recorded content before recording has completed. The SkyFi3 also comes with a microSD card slot (card not included), which lets you load up with MP3 and WMA files from your music collection, allowing the SkyFi3 satellite radio to double as a portable MP3 player.

The SkyFi3 ships with a set of standard headphones, which is fine for use when listening to recorded content. You can also listen to live XM satellite radio on the go by adding a headset with a built-in XM antenna, such as the Delphi SkyFi3 Standard Wearable Kit (*est. $40).The SkyFi3 has the same controls and interface as the Pioneer inno2BK satellite ratio (see below), except that the SkyFi3 allows for three separate bookmark lists, so you can separate your favorites by channel, genre or individual. Reviewers loved the large 2.8-inch display, the microSD expandability and the reliable signal reception, even with the headphones.

The SkyFi3 includes a wireless FM transmitter for easy installation, but its power level is very low to stay within FCC guidelines and most complaints we see focus on the weakness of the FM transmitter. However, a cassette adapter and other installation choices are available as options. The lack of a color screen is also a disappointment.

If you are looking for a slightly less expensive option, we saw good owner and expert opinions about the Delphi RoadyXT (*Est. $60). PC Magazine doesn't select it as an Editors' Choice, but nonetheless gives the RoadyXT the magazine's highest five-star rating. It is still the smallest and lightest XM satellite radio receiver on the market, and it offers not only basic functions, but also additional features, such as stock and sports tickers and TuneSelect. In a very brief review, Orbitcast (a site devoted to satellite radio) and several of its readers criticize the RoadyXT for only having a two-line display, and it can't play MP3s or record XM radio, but price is a major advantage.

If you want to listen to live XM radio while on a bike ride or at the beach, you'll need a portable receiver with an integrated antenna so you can carry it as you would an MP3 player. This means you don't need to hook it up to an amplifier -- all you need are headphones or speakers. This type of receiver is more expensive, however, and they may not be great indoors if their antennas can't easily access satellites. Most let you record XM radio or load MP3 files -- handy for when you're not outdoors or near a window.

The Pioneer inno2BK (*Est. $200) receives more uniformly favorable reviews than any other portable XM satellite radio receiver. The inno2BK is identical to the earlier inno with one exception -- the inno2BK is compatible with XM SureConnect -- one of the techniques that can be used to connect an XM radio to an existing car stereo -- and requires a different kit for car use. Because of that, reviews of the Pioneer inno, though older, remain valid.

You can listen to live XM satellite radio through headphones or hook up the inno2BK to your car or home stereo. It also has some added perks. For instance, if you set up an account with Napster's music-subscription service, you can press a button to buy the song you are hearing on XM from Napster. The inno2BK is about the size of an iPod, and it weighs 4.5 ounces. According to reviews at CNet and user reviews at Amazon.com, the inno's battery only lasted for five hours of XM playback -- that's far less than most portable MP3 players -- but users also say that the battery charges quickly, in about an hour. Several users also noted the inferior quality of the included earbud headphones.

PC Magazine selected the Pioneer inno as its Editors' Choice among portable XM radios. CNet's editors give it their top score for a portable or multipurpose satellite radio receiver. Editors especially like the inno's sound quality.

The inno2BK comes with a home dock, home antenna, AC power adapter, earphones, travel adapter, software and remote control. A car kit (*est. $60) is optional. Half of the 1 GB of storage capacity is for recording (time shifting) XM satellite radio, and half is for MP3s or WMA files. Users note that portable reception is sometimes patchy, but it's improved when used with accessory headphones that include an XM radio antenna. There are 50 station presets.

Experts say that home satellite receivers are capable of delivering better sound quality than either portable or car products, but these can be expensive. Lots of home theater receivers advertise themselves as Sirius- or XM-ready, but need an auxiliary tuner like the Audiovox CNP2000 XM Mini Tuner (*est. $40 with dock) to actually receive satellite radio broadcasts. The CNP2000 gets a generally positive write-up at CNet.com and most users seem happy with it. However, you will need a compatible stereo receiver; see the ConsumerSearch report on home theater receivers for some suggestions.

One issue with using a satellite receiver indoors is placement. The units must be connected to a wired antenna, which generally needs to be near a window or fed outside. This might be fine if you're able to place the receiver near a window, but a problem if you want to use it somewhere else.