Sirius Sounds Quality - RB1 Nav Unit

BKH · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:42 am

There is only one thing on my 05 CRD that has dissapointed me - the sound quality of the Sirius satellite radio. I've installed the Mopar subwoofer, which made the rest of the system sound pretty good -- until I switch to satellite. Then it sounds like really flat FM or exceptional AM. Are there differences in the quality of Sirius tuners? If so, I'd probably open up the back panel and plug in a different one (if compatible - another question).

Has anyone else experienced this? Any solutions to the problem, or is this just the way satellite radio sounds?

Thanks!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:51 pm

I don't have an RB1 or Sirius. But sattelite radio is supposed to be CD level quality not FM.

billforde · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:10 pm

I dont think sat radio is close to CD quality. Also each channel have varying SQ. I have Sirius and some channels sound better than others.

Coyotefred · **Joined:** Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:50 pm **Posts:** 36

I have an older sirius receiver that I run thru the cassette adapter into my '02's stock stereo. This system consists of so-called "premium" 6-speaker infinity sound system. My sirius sounds awful. Even at lower volumes the speakers crackle and buzz. With a CD the sound is better, the "premium" system marketing is a joke. My girlfriend's honda accord has a better stock sound system than this KJ's.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:31 pm

It all depends on the set-up you have. My xm sounds ok and i have the best system you can get through xm. The only other thing i could of done was get the pioneer receiver that hooks up to the pioneer head unit and keeps the signal digital, which cost alot more than what ive got.

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:26 pm

Sirius broadcasts in 5.1 Surround...it's not the signal that muddles the sound quality, it's the crappy hardware that DC puts in all their cars that makes it sound like crap.

new speakers, wiring, and a new head unit should get ya soundin good.

my XM sounds great, despite the crappy 6.5" stock speakers (which are going ASAP) and the XM is going through my Pioneer XM-ready head unit.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:43 pm

Even though you have the pioneer xm ready headunit, you still have to get some kind of xm tuner, thats what i was talking about. Ive got the pioneer xm ready headunit and the xm tuner with the xm pioneer adaptor, it sounds ok, but not cd quality.

billforde · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:49 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Sirius broadcasts in 5.1 Surround...it's not the signal that muddles the sound quality, it's the crappy hardware that DC puts in all their cars that makes it sound like crap.

As far as i know Sirius only broadcast in stereo. XM plans to broadcast in Surround some time this year.
The only DC audio equipment left in my KJ is the rear speakers, and Sirius sonds good on channels like HITS 1, but not on others. I think the issue is the encoding they use on other channels.

Check out the SQ discussion on SiriusBackstage

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

I just checked out that MOPAR SUBWOOFER, the 80 watt one. BKH did you install it yourself? Does it come with all the wires? I just want a little extra umph in my base.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:32 pm

The mopar subwoofer is great! It's not earth shattering bass, but it fills out the sound really well.

The instructions on how to mount it under the seat suck majorly. You'll need to undo the center bezel. Then the radio. Attach the wire (included with the kit) that plugs inbetween the main wire bundle and the radio. Route it down through the console and then under the seat and connect it to the box. I stuck mine under the passenger seat and love it!

Apple · **Joined:** Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:20 pm **Posts:** 18

I pulled out the stock head unit because it sounded like crap and installed a Panasonic unit with Sirius right after I bought my Renny. I also replaced all of my speakers. I think the Sirius sound quality is great - comparable to playing CD's. Talk channels do sound strange at times - particularly if they are simulcasts of cable TV stations such as CNN, ABC etc. If you have poor sound quality, it's probably the electronics of the factory head unit as others have suggested. You should get great sound on Sirius music channels.

BKH · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:09 pm

I installed the MOPAR subwoofer, which made a huge difference on everything but the Sirius channel. While i was in there, I also installed a hard-wired FM i-Pod plug in (with on-off switch). The sound quality through that is amazing! The Sirius sound quality still stinks. Has anyone noticed how much bandwidth (broadcast quality) Sirius gives to Howard Stern (Ch. 100-101)? If they'd do that for the other music channels, they'd likely sound much better.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:09 am

I have the Jeep sirius receiver and RB1 in my Renegade. I think it sounds pretty good. There are differences in stations (from one to the other) but overall, there's no difference to my ear between sirius and FM. I don't play CD's in the car any more so haven't compared lately.

I did take my first long trip this weekend since installing the sirius and WOW is that nice - being able to keep your stations regardless of where you are!

I have the Renegade 2003, so my sound system was stock for that model - which as I recall, was an upgrade over stock. "premium" was probably the word used. One man's premium...

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:35 pm

BKH, about your hard wired Ipod plug in..where'd you get it, what's the model number, how much, and do you know if both sirius and that can be hardwired together?

In my Jeep if I go from Sirius to a cd, it scares me if I forget to turn the volume down first. Quite a difference.

rjmaype · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:44 am

My CRD has the factory 6 CD changer and Sirius.

Can you get the display to show artist and song?

BKH · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:45 pm

I got my iPod plug in from crutchfield.com. Just put in your Liberty's year and it'll ask you what system you have (navigation, etc.). It'll come up with everything you need to seamlessly run an input from your antenna lead. It's SO easy, and I'm a complete idiot at these things. The sound quality is amazing, and no FM problems whatsoever. It has an on-off switch, which I put in the horizontal panel just right of the steering wheel (thank you, Dremel tool). If you have any questions about it, just let me know. As I said, if I can do it, anyone can.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:04 pm

Cool, thanks!

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:22 am

Can you post any pictures of the switch? I'd like to do something similar...

BKH · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:44 pm

I'll take a photo and see if I can get it loaded. Can you load through this site, or do you have to load offsite and just give the link?

Sirius Sounds Quality - RB1 Nav Unit

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