Is anyone having any issues with their reception of SiriusXM radio? Mine cuts out completely (no static or other noise) intermittently for about 1-2 seconds. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm out in the open, or under an overpass (or some other obstruction), but in a 30-minute drive, it'll cut out for a couple seconds 5 to 10 times.

My other car had satellite radio (XM) and I never had issues like this. I usually listen to my iPod ... but still, I'd like the radio to work also.

I get the same exact thing and since we drive the same streets, definitely not a coincidence.

I get the same exact thing and since we drive the same streets, definitely not a coincidence.

Hmmm ... then I wonder: car/equipment related, or Sirius related?

I would guess Sirius related. I run Sirius alot and only have problems in some Mountain areas and underpasses.

Bruce

At the risk of thread jacking here...

Do we get some sort of subscription to Sirius? I'm kind of a newstalk type of person, so I don't really know much (anything) about Sirius and what comes with our car.

At the risk of thread jacking here...

Do we get some sort of subscription to Sirius? I'm kind of a newstalk type of person, so I don't really know much (anything) about Sirius and what comes with our car.
The car comes activated with a 90-day trial subscription. Sometimes the trial subscription winds up lasting a good bit longer. After that you must subscribe if you want to continue receiving it.

As for the reception, it looks to be location-specific. I have no such issues here.

I can report the same as Bruce...great reception except for underpass and multi tierd garages.

I had a question regarding Sirius and the traffic for those with the Nav. I understand after three months that we lose the functionality of the Info button essentially. Does Sirius/TMC also provide the green/oranage/red coloring on roads to show traffic as well? If so I'll probably re-up the subscription, but I don't think I will if it's just for the real-time info through the Info button.

I ready about the S4 radio, yesterday. It said the traffic updates for the naviation come from Sirius radio. It also said the first 180 days were free.

Check out this location for the 2010 A4/S4 Press Kit;

http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1484&mid=85

""New 3rd Generation MMI with hard-drive-based Navigation system, including voice control and SIRIUS traffic""

""A 180-day free on air subscription for satellite
audio and traffic services is standard for all Audi
Customers after purchase of the vehicle. Hence, the
customer is able to fully experience both the listening
experience as well as the convenience of always upto-
date traffic information. After expiration of the free
trial, the MMI’s user interface indicates the necessary
steps for the customer to further subscribe to the
services he or she wants to use in the future.""

Don

Is anyone having any issues with their reception of SiriusXM radio? Mine cuts out completely (no static or other noise) intermittently for about 1-2 seconds. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm out in the open, or under an overpass (or some other obstruction), but in a 30-minute drive, it'll cut out for a couple seconds 5 to 10 times.


I have exactly the same experience. I would guess it is SF Bay Area related (satellites are way too low and get blocked by mountains?)

At the risk of thread jacking here...


So it seems safe to say that a few other people are having the same reception issues? I would be a little more understanding if the reception went out in tunnels or mountainous areas, but I have the problem out inthe open too. Hmmm ... oh well. Good thing for iPods and SD cards with songs.

It's unfortunate since I'm considering subscribing after the trial is over. So far, I'm not convinced. Love the programming, hate the reception.

I would be a little more understanding if the reception went out in tunnels or mountainous areas, but I have the problem out inthe open too.

I am having problem in the open (on 101 between 237 and 880). As open as it gets around here :).

I'm having the same random dropout issues, regardless if I'm passing under something, or on the wide open road.

I haven't even used Sirius other than the innate traffic info, but since I'm in the Bay I'll turn mine on in the mornings for the next week or so and listen to it on the way to work to see if I experience the same. I'll report back on how it is on 17, 880, 680, 280 and 87 for me.

880 from Fremont to San Jose, it dropped out maybe 6 times...

I don't have a problem with the reception but the quality of the sound is not the greatest. I find regular radio has much more depth, the sirius sounds kind of tinny for some reason.
With Sd cards I find regular radio for news and the SD cards for music is more than enough.

Is anyone having any issues with their reception of SiriusXM radio? Mine cuts out completely (no static or other noise) intermittently for about 1-2 seconds. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm out in the open, or under an overpass (or some other obstruction), but in a 30-minute drive, it'll cut out for a couple seconds 5 to 10 times.

My other car had satellite radio (XM) and I never had issues like this. I usually listen to my iPod ... but still, I'd like the radio to work also.

I have XM in one car and Sirius in another (BMW). I noticed that XM gets far better reception than Sirius, and the sound quality is better.

Another thing I've noticed is when XM does cut out, you hear a bit of static- Sirius doesn't seem to do that, as you said it simply cuts off silently until it comes back.

I agree, XM does get better reception, I had it on my Acura and it even worked in tunnels. Not sure about the sound quality as it's hard to compare since it sounds great on the B&O speakers. I was a bit surprised by how much Sirius cuts out, it happens all the time even with wide open view of the sky. Not sure what the reason is, I would talk to someone who has the actual Sirius radio in their car and see what their reception is like just to compare if it's strictly an issue with our cars or not.

I've noticed certain channels have better reception than others. It sounds more tinny and includes some weird/warped background noise. As if you downloaded a 96 bit version of a song on the versus a 192 or higher. Hard to explain.

I agree, XM does get better reception, I had it on my Acura and it even worked in tunnels. Not sure about the sound quality as it's hard to compare since it sounds great on the B&O speakers. I was a bit surprised by how much Sirius cuts out, it happens all the time even with wide open view of the sky. Not sure what the reason is, I would talk to someone who has the actual Sirius radio in their car and see what their reception is like just to compare if it's strictly an issue with our cars or not.

I actually get better reception in my S4 (sirius) than I do in my truck (XM) and sirius sounds great, probably because of the B&O. XM does not sound great but it probably the infinity sound system in the truck that is inferior. Also, I am east of the satelites and I think most of the people who have posted are west of the satelites. The only time I loose reception is either is under over passes or next to tall buildings but it does happen more to my XM system. Both are silent when I loose signal.

So it seems safe to say that a few other people are having the same reception issues? I would be a little more understanding if the reception went out in tunnels or mountainous areas, but I have the problem out inthe open too. Hmmm ... oh well. Good thing for iPods and SD cards with songs.
FWIW, I had the same kind of issues with probably three rentals in the last year while traveling; also my bud has a similar issue with his 2010 M3 with HD radio. It seems to fade,like to non-stereo mode then suddnely come back to normal HD really strong and sometimes louder.

I've now owned quite a few Sat. radio cars - and think the S4 has the best SIRIUS reception of all of them.

That being said, it is inferior to every XM car I've owned.

My old S4 (v8) was XM. I got great reception everywhere. I traded that in on a BMW 335i. That car had Sirius, so I obviously switched. Reception was terrible - drop outs all over the place. I couldn't get any signal in my garage with the door open.

I bought my wife a new car that was XM - and her reception is perfect. When I traded my 335 for the S4 it's still sirius - so I got a back-to-back comparison on the same roads I always drive. The S4 is definitely better. I get reception in my garage - and much fewer dropouts.

That being said - I'm happy with it - but I still get drop-outs occasionally.

-Scott

--
Almost 4,000 miles on my S4 now. Love the engine (great!!), good handling (my 335 did handle better), love the radio, wish the seat bottoms had a bit more cushion and/or width (I liked my old S4 seats more).

I've now owned quite a few Sat. radio cars - and think the S4 has the best SIRIUS reception of all of them.

That being said, it is inferior to every XM car I've owned.


Funny you mention XM ... my last car had XM. I had it for almost 3 years. Not one single time in three years did I ever *unexpectedly* lose signal. One time I was going to the Getty museum in SoCal and I entered the underground parking structure. I was 2 -- almost 3 -- levels UNDERGROUND before it went out!

The XM was great. Sirius seems a bit weak. Bad satellites? lol

I'm starting to get this issue in the Metro DC area. For those in my area, going west on 66 from Arlington towards the I-66/267 split.
It's weird cause I get reception when I'm under that weird parking structure that's over 66 between N. Quincy & N. Stafford.
Then it gets spotty under normal overpasses & even when I'm not under one.

Good to see that there's 'in writing' proof of the 180 day trial - I was just thinking my 90 days are up on Feb 7th.

I don't think that the XM satellites are any 'better' than the Sirius ones regarding being able to obtain a signal in underground structures in major metropolitan areas as you are probably picking up the signal from 'repeater' stations. As I understand it, in major cities due to high rise buildings, etc. there are actually terrestrial antennas that supply the signal since the view to the sats may well be blocked by buildings. Perhaps XM has a better 'repeater' infrastructure than Sirius?
Bish