Since the Z has terrible reception I bought the Delphi XM. It seems as though XM was satisfied with AM radio sound quality.

Is it only because the signal is going through a FM modulator??

Do XM ready HU's have a marked improvement in sound quality?

The Bose in the Z sucks anyways... I know... this just makes it all that much worse. Will I have to get an all new HU and speakers to improve the situation?

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

the bose system is horrible... the delphi system isnt the best in sound quality, fm modulators less the sound quality even more....

you are experiencing an snowball effect... an XM ready headunit should give you cd quality sound

 

hmmm.... I know some of the guys doing the XM stuff at Delphi in Kokomo.
Unless your FM modulator is not performing, you should be getting at least 100 to 15000 Hz pass band, maybe a bit lower on the low end, but it will be rolling off, of course. It should sound as good as FM
I would get it checked out, or as toykilla said, get the true head unit from Delphi or other mfg

 

I think it sounds somewhere between FM and CD, the quality is almost CD but what bothers me is the volume, I have the output level at max and it is still not as loud as when I have a CD in.

 

It's beter than what I had. My reception sucked big time. The thing that bothers me the most is when I know it sucks.
Some music like the Chillipeppers sound great, but in the Z it's just not all that.
My only real choice is to get a new HU and speakers and be done with it. I'm not into real loud music, just full range and clear audio.
I do however like the XM variety alot.
If I knew for a fact that a nice aftermarket XM ready HU and speakers would sound as good as CD then I wouldn't have a problem with XM.
The Z's audio just cant be used as a reference.
I ***** about it enough that I think my wife will get me a new system for x-mas or b-day. Will just have to wait.

 

I'm interested in this HU. CD-400

http://nakamichi.com

It doesn't say it's XM ready. For you all 'in the know'... will I sacrafice noticeable sound quality with the modulator to this unit?? Or should I find another HU XM ready??

I like the unit but need XM for where I live.

 

I've got the XM Delphi unit in my Z (stock head unit; non-bose system) and the reception is perfect.

I'd either check the modulator or the installation for problems.

 

With a little more research, I found that the Nak HU has AUX in. and the new XM Commander unit has line out. So... I think my problems are solved.
I just have to get a new... what... receiver? I assume the new Commander receiver is compatible with my existing Delphi display.
From what people have said about the Nak HU, XM should sound as good as it's going to get.

 

Someone mentioned that they ran their Delphi through the AUX IN on their headunit which allowed them to bypass the FM modulation completely.