The idea that that there would be new innovations in a field as seemingly immutable as radio might be surprising, but satellite radio has quickly become a dominant player in the market. And while AM/FM radio is still great, satellite radio has the distinct advantage of being able to reach where terrestrial radio cannot. Satellite radio is based on a subscription service, so you can enjoy your favorite kinds of music uninterrupted by advertisements. With hundreds of stations to choose from, you can also listen to stations that are based on the artists you like.
Terrestrial radio has been around for long enough that pretty much every car, new and old, is outfitted with an AM and FM receiver. But satellite is a new enough technology that many cars don’t have built-in satellite radio receivers. If you’re looking for a satellite receiver, the choice pretty much comes down to Sirius XM. Fortunately, Sirius XM offers many different kinds of receivers, including options for the car or home, and even varieties with built-in speakers. We’ve included one of each so you can find the system that works best for you.
1. SiriusXM Portable Speaker Dock Audio System
This kit includes a speaker dock and a receiver. The portable receiver can be detached and installed in the car, or it can be plugged into the Onyx speaker system to enjoy music at home or on the go. The speaker itself is high quality, and you can also use the AUX feature separately from the satellite receiver to stream music directly from your phone.
Pros: Includes a speaker dock and portable satellite radio receiver that can be used with the dock or in the car. Speaker has good quality sound, and you can use an AUX cord with it.
Cons: No built-in controls for bass and treble.
2. SiriusXM SXPL1H1 Satellite Radio with Home Kit
If you already have a home stereo system that you like, this kit just includes the interface and receiver. You can connect to your powered speakers or stereo system and choose channels and adjust volume from the unit. The full-color display features album art of the artist you’re listening to, plus station and song information.
Pros: Good option for those who already have a stereo system. The receiver includes a modern-looking screen interface with intuitive controls.
Cons: Included remote is unintuitive.
3. SiriusXM SXPL1V1 Onyx Plus Satellite Radio with Vehicle Kit
Sirius XM also offers a standalone vehicle kit. The receiver has the same display and controls as the home kit, except it’s designed to be connected to the car. It can be connected via 3.5mm AUX cables or wirelessly through the FM receiver. Like the other systems, the displays include album art and artist and station information.
Pros: Variety of connectivity options through a vehicle, compact design won’t take up too much space in the car.
Cons: Vehicle kit doesn’t include a remote control.