CD Changer OR XM Radio - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

DEI37 · 02-27-2006, 06:04 PM

I'm in a bit of a dilemma here. I have a Pioneer P7300 that has quick ejecting CDs. Buying a new head unit is not an option. Crutchfield has a Pioneer 12-disc changer for $180. I like changers, and have no issue with using them. I do NOT have MP3 playback capability, and neither does that changer. I would like that, but I don't want to get rid of this '7300. It's a nice unit, really. Crutchfield also has a Pioneer XM kit with the antenna, and everything. It's $100. I have minor issue with the subscription fee, but I have found prepaid XM cards at Wal-Mart for $55/each. I need to look in to those a little further, so I'm not sure how long they last. I would think 4-6 months, but am unsure, due to not having fully researched them just yet.

CD Changer pros:
CD quality sound (duh)
No reception problems

CD Changer cons:
Trunk location to change magazines/CD's
No MP3 playback capability (HU doesn't support it anyways, so not REALLY an issue)
Higher up front cost

XM Pros:
Great radio with few to no commercials
No changing magazines in the trunk

XM Cons:
Long term price higher, though may be able to control costs

There IS a pass through port on the XM box, so if I do want to add a changer later in addition to the XM box, I can.

Thoughts?

Psycho Dad · 02-27-2006, 07:37 PM

An XM or Sirius subscription isn't really that bad when you consider that it is less than the cost of a can of pop a day. Or at least that is the way I looked at it. And I find that with my Sirius radio, I don't really listen to CDs too often any more.

MexicanOnABike · 02-27-2006, 07:37 PM

well if you have a good collection of cds, and you like YOUR stuff, and if you can make your own cds(from mp3s but as music cds.) then you can have almost everything.

but on the other hand, if you dont mind the monthly fees, it would be a good thing to check out. especialy if they have your style of music. (i know they have like 100 station but for my styles, they're very limited)

so overall, i recommend cds. but if fees isnt the issue, then sat radio.

Jack1.0 · 02-27-2006, 08:50 PM

The thing that I like about my XM is that is pushes my musical boundaries more than listening to my own collection. I find myself hearing a song that I haven’t heard before or haven’t heard in a long time and coming home and searching for a download. Having the artist and the song info displayed makes that a real possibility.

DEI37 · 02-27-2006, 09:01 PM

Jack, I think kind of like you do. I've messed with XM some, and liked it. Fees are sort of an issue, but if this prepaid thing is what I hope it can be, then I can control costs somewhat that way. I like my music, and I've got lots of it. I want to expand my horizons some, though. So, I get a little wishy-washy again. Also, even a 12disc changer doesn't get me A LOT of music when it isn't in MP3 format.

cyrnel · 02-27-2006, 09:18 PM

DEI37, maybe a fringe idea but streaming cell phone plans are about 1/2 as expensive as the full stand-alone plans.

Downsides:
-Only ~20 stations
-You'd have to connect it to your head-unit/amp like an iPod
-Coverage reduced to cell service coverage
-User interface and provided information is minimal

Of course, your cell provider has to offer it.

Edit: BTW, I get Sirius this way on my sprint phone. $6.99/mo which seems borderline high, but it's a nice distraction and it's always with me. Earbuds on the go and a direct connection in the car. The sound isn't bad at all.

AquaFox · 02-28-2006, 05:24 PM

XM? i siriusly reccomend you loook at Sirius, you can get free trials of each online from both webpages, i've looked at both and right now XM is going downhill and its been mentioned that they might add more advertisements than it allready has.... Sirius on the other hand is growing strong.... and as for pricing and deals they are nearly identical.

also, if you get Sirius or xm, besure to directly plug it into your head unit instead of using the FM modulator for better quality

DEI37 · 02-28-2006, 06:19 PM

The primary reason for XM is that the headunit is XM capable, but not Sirius. Yeah, I'd get the IP-Bus connection as it'll plug right in.

Brewmaniac · 02-28-2006, 06:43 PM

If there's any way you can, do both. I am really getting into XM for the new stuff I'm getting turned on to but I still want to hear what I want to hear sometimes. If that makes any sense?

AquaFox · 02-28-2006, 07:36 PM

i just noticed your buddy icon, XM has nascar till next year, which is pretty cool

DEI37 · 02-28-2006, 08:09 PM

To Brew...yeah, the XM box from Pioneer has a pass through so I can still add a changer at a later date.

I love NASCAR. It would be a cool way to keep up with a race if I'm not at home in front of the TV.

Craven Morehead · 02-28-2006, 09:12 PM

I have XM and love it. Best part about it, XM over the intenet is included in the subscription fee. I listen to it on my PC all the time. Adds tremendous value to the subscription fee. As mentioned above, it has pushed my musical boundries extensively. I love it.

I drive a lot in my job. I never get bored any longer when in my car. Music, news, comedy, sports, and whatever else you feel like. Listen to something for a while and then switch to something else. Much more diversity than a CD changer.

BTW - may car also has a CD changer and I never use it. NEVER!

shortynickel · 03-02-2006, 09:31 PM

My wife has a Pioneer HU and it will accept both XM and Sirius. I would say get sat radio cause you wont ever run out of new music. IMO the real decision should be between XM and Sirius!!

XM has nascar, golf, baseball and pac10, big10 and acc basketball and football games and Sirius has NFL, NBA and Howard! You prolly already know the above tho. I have the XM roady2 in my car and I love it, especially now that baseball has started up.

trickyy · 03-02-2006, 10:26 PM

can you get an mp3 player? that's probably what i would do

i haven't used a CD in years and XM doesn't have any music stations that i particularly enjoy. i don't know about Sirius...but i'd rather put a buttload of mp3s/podcasts on album shuffle than deal with the other options.

XM would certainly be cool for sports, though. (just not cool enough for me to subscribe.)

DEI37 · 03-05-2006, 04:18 PM

I don't want to buy a new head unit. That's out of the budget by far. If I do THAT upgrade, then I'll go nuts, and get a Nav unit. I'm 99% set on XM, just gotta wait one more pay period.

Aro23 · 03-05-2006, 06:58 PM

how about getting a cd player with an aux input and get an ipod?

Craven Morehead · 03-05-2006, 07:45 PM

How about getting both? A CD changer and this? Not much for the unit, can be used in multiple vehicles, or even inside w/ an external antenna. You would still have subscription, however w/o much invested in the XM unit you could cancel after a few months if you didn't like it.

Disclaimer - I don't know much about this unit. You may have to pick up a vehicle kit, I'm not sure. Check around. www.xmradio.com

shortynickel · 03-05-2006, 08:56 PM

I bought my Roady2 XM Satellite Radio for 30 at Best Buy, the last month or so they have had them for 20 so if you dont want to spend alot of money on one that that is a very nice one for the money. I wanted to get the Audiovox Xpress, but opted for the Roady2 cause the Xpress didnt have a rebate at the time I bought mine. It cost 50 after mail in rebate direct from XM, you maybe able to find a better price at your local store. Both of the above radios come with everything that you need for in your car, you would need to pickup a home kit for either of them tho. I just bought a Roady2™ Personal Audio System from Delphi for 20, it makes the radio portable anywhere you go.

Let us know what you ended up getting.

02-27-2006, 06:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	CD Changer OR XM Radio I'm in a bit of a dilemma here. I have a Pioneer P7300 that has quick ejecting CDs. Buying a new head unit is not an option. Crutchfield has a Pioneer 12-disc changer for $180. I like changers, and have no issue with using them. I do NOT have MP3 playback capability, and neither does that changer. I would like that, but I don't want to get rid of this '7300. It's a nice unit, really. Crutchfield also has a Pioneer XM kit with the antenna, and everything. It's $100. I have minor issue with the subscription fee, but I have found prepaid XM cards at Wal-Mart for $55/each. I need to look in to those a little further, so I'm not sure how long they last. I would think 4-6 months, but am unsure, due to not having fully researched them just yet. CD Changer pros: CD quality sound (duh) No reception problems CD Changer cons: Trunk location to change magazines/CD's No MP3 playback capability (HU doesn't support it anyways, so not REALLY an issue) Higher up front cost XM Pros: Great radio with few to no commercials No changing magazines in the trunk XM Cons: Long term price higher, though may be able to control costs There IS a pass through port on the XM box, so if I do want to add a changer later in addition to the XM box, I can. Thoughts? __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

02-27-2006, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	An XM or Sirius subscription isn't really that bad when you consider that it is less than the cost of a can of pop a day. Or at least that is the way I looked at it. And I find that with my Sirius radio, I don't really listen to CDs too often any more. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

02-27-2006, 08:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jack1.0 Tilted	The thing that I like about my XM is that is pushes my musical boundaries more than listening to my own collection. I find myself hearing a song that I haven’t heard before or haven’t heard in a long time and coming home and searching for a download. Having the artist and the song info displayed makes that a real possibility. __________________ Jack1.0 ---------------------------------------------- I've learned to embrace my inner Geek. I haven't found anything else I'm good at.

02-27-2006, 09:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	Jack, I think kind of like you do. I've messed with XM some, and liked it. Fees are sort of an issue, but if this prepaid thing is what I hope it can be, then I can control costs somewhat that way. I like my music, and I've got lots of it. I want to expand my horizons some, though. So, I get a little wishy-washy again. Also, even a 12disc changer doesn't get me A LOT of music when it isn't in MP3 format. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

02-27-2006, 09:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	DEI37, maybe a fringe idea but streaming cell phone plans are about 1/2 as expensive as the full stand-alone plans. Downsides: -Only ~20 stations -You'd have to connect it to your head-unit/amp like an iPod -Coverage reduced to cell service coverage -User interface and provided information is minimal Of course, your cell provider has to offer it. Edit: BTW, I get Sirius this way on my sprint phone. $6.99/mo which seems borderline high, but it's a nice distraction and it's always with me. Earbuds on the go and a direct connection in the car. The sound isn't bad at all. __________________ There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195 Last edited by cyrnel; 02-28-2006 at 05:56 PM..

02-27-2006, 07:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	well if you have a good collection of cds, and you like YOUR stuff, and if you can make your own cds(from mp3s but as music cds.) then you can have almost everything. but on the other hand, if you dont mind the monthly fees, it would be a good thing to check out. especialy if they have your style of music. (i know they have like 100 station but for my styles, they're very limited) so overall, i recommend cds. but if fees isnt the issue, then sat radio.

02-28-2006, 05:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
AquaFox WaterDog	XM? i siriusly reccomend you loook at Sirius, you can get free trials of each online from both webpages, i've looked at both and right now XM is going downhill and its been mentioned that they might add more advertisements than it allready has.... Sirius on the other hand is growing strong.... and as for pricing and deals they are nearly identical. also, if you get Sirius or xm, besure to directly plug it into your head unit instead of using the FM modulator for better quality __________________ ...AquaFox...

02-28-2006, 06:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	The primary reason for XM is that the headunit is XM capable, but not Sirius. Yeah, I'd get the IP-Bus connection as it'll plug right in. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

02-28-2006, 06:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brewmaniac Searching for the perfect brew!	If there's any way you can, do both. I am really getting into XM for the new stuff I'm getting turned on to but I still want to hear what I want to hear sometimes. If that makes any sense? __________________ "That's a joke... I say, that's a joke, son"

02-28-2006, 07:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquaFox WaterDog	i just noticed your buddy icon, XM has nascar till next year, which is pretty cool __________________ ...AquaFox...

02-28-2006, 08:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	To Brew...yeah, the XM box from Pioneer has a pass through so I can still add a changer at a later date. I love NASCAR. It would be a cool way to keep up with a race if I'm not at home in front of the TV. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

02-28-2006, 09:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	I have XM and love it. Best part about it, XM over the intenet is included in the subscription fee. I listen to it on my PC all the time. Adds tremendous value to the subscription fee. As mentioned above, it has pushed my musical boundries extensively. I love it. I drive a lot in my job. I never get bored any longer when in my car. Music, news, comedy, sports, and whatever else you feel like. Listen to something for a while and then switch to something else. Much more diversity than a CD changer. BTW - may car also has a CD changer and I never use it. NEVER! Last edited by Craven Morehead; 02-28-2006 at 09:14 PM..

03-02-2006, 09:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
shortynickel Addict Location: Central PA	My wife has a Pioneer HU and it will accept both XM and Sirius. I would say get sat radio cause you wont ever run out of new music. IMO the real decision should be between XM and Sirius!! XM has nascar, golf, baseball and pac10, big10 and acc basketball and football games and Sirius has NFL, NBA and Howard! You prolly already know the above tho. I have the XM roady2 in my car and I love it, especially now that baseball has started up. __________________ What type of... "Parents have forgotten how to be parents" Aaron Lewis "Get your ass back here, your a white boy walking thru the ghetto" - at the end of a bachalor party said to the bachalor while walking home.

03-02-2006, 10:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
trickyy ►	can you get an mp3 player? that's probably what i would do i haven't used a CD in years and XM doesn't have any music stations that i particularly enjoy. i don't know about Sirius...but i'd rather put a buttload of mp3s/podcasts on album shuffle than deal with the other options. XM would certainly be cool for sports, though. (just not cool enough for me to subscribe.)

03-05-2006, 04:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	I don't want to buy a new head unit. That's out of the budget by far. If I do THAT upgrade, then I'll go nuts, and get a Nav unit. I'm 99% set on XM, just gotta wait one more pay period. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

03-05-2006, 06:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
Aro23 Crazy	how about getting a cd player with an aux input and get an ipod?

03-05-2006, 07:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	How about getting both? A CD changer and this? Not much for the unit, can be used in multiple vehicles, or even inside w/ an external antenna. You would still have subscription, however w/o much invested in the XM unit you could cancel after a few months if you didn't like it. Disclaimer - I don't know much about this unit. You may have to pick up a vehicle kit, I'm not sure. Check around. www.xmradio.com

03-05-2006, 08:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
shortynickel Addict Location: Central PA	I bought my Roady2 XM Satellite Radio for 30 at Best Buy, the last month or so they have had them for 20 so if you dont want to spend alot of money on one that that is a very nice one for the money. I wanted to get the Audiovox Xpress, but opted for the Roady2 cause the Xpress didnt have a rebate at the time I bought mine. It cost 50 after mail in rebate direct from XM, you maybe able to find a better price at your local store. Both of the above radios come with everything that you need for in your car, you would need to pickup a home kit for either of them tho. I just bought a Roady2™ Personal Audio System from Delphi for 20, it makes the radio portable anywhere you go. Let us know what you ended up getting. __________________ What type of... "Parents have forgotten how to be parents" Aaron Lewis "Get your ass back here, your a white boy walking thru the ghetto" - at the end of a bachalor party said to the bachalor while walking home.