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I've been doing lots of research about this, because I really want to get satellite radio for Chirstmas... These are the big points that I've garnered from my research (just to let you know, I'm strongly leaning toward XM)
1. Content - Look at the channels... how many channels play music that you like? XM has Music Lab with progressive rock and metal, which is really a huge deal for me.
2. Quality - This depends. In my opinion, it would be hard to distinguish quality in stock car stereo speakers and traveling 70mph on a noisy freeway. Satellite radio won't replace my CD collection at home (though since XM has ACC coverage, I might take advantage of that at home too). Both Sirus and XM have bandwidth issues. They both have a fixed bandwidth and as each keep adding channels, there will be a crunch. They might be able to improve this with the transmission technology (codec and naurals - which I believe is the processors that send the signals up to the satellite). It will be intersting to see how both companies adapt to increased bandwith crunch as they try to appeal to more customers.
3. Hardware - This is completely personal. Sirus has more options. But for me this is the last consideration, because the above two considerations are much more imporant.
On a side note, I'm curious how XM's MyFi will do (and how the recption is). It seems to me there are definitely logistic issues with that, and will be hard to complete in an area where Apple and the iPod is so dominant.
I'm hoping to go with a new SkyFi 2 this christmas... as long as there are no supply issues =)
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