XM Radio: Just A Big Ass Waste of Time, Money, and 2 Perfectly Good Satellites (4384 hits)
Category: Business & FinancialRating: -0.5 on 43 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Tony Montana <deenw.at.aol.com> (View user info) at 2004-06-12 19:09:08 EDT
XM Radio has been hailed as one of the hottest new products introduced to consumers in decades...Tech TV said that it "transcends Earth-bound radio". I have two words to respond to all of this: Bitch Please.
XM Radio's intent was good...but we all know that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. And when XM Radio finally dies, that's where it's going to go...straight to hell where it will be raped over and over by Satan. The intent was to replace regular FM and AM radio with commercial free, uninterrupted radio and a plethora of diverse stations to choose from. It actually satisfies all of these criteria. So what is my beef with XM?
Every station sucks dick. It's as if the executives over there cherry picked the best songs from each and every genre, and then tossed them out, leaving a finely filtered pool of auditory diarrhea that they call a playlist.
My own experience with XM radio began recently when my brother got a new car with XM radio included for free for two months. Now I'll admit...I was excited when I heard that he had XM radio installed on it. The concept of hundreds of commercial free channels offering a diverse array of music sounded incredibly awesome to me. No more having to listen to annoying ass jingles, no more having to listen to semi-retarded DJ's trying to pawn off their 8th grade personality as entertainment...finally just music at its purest.
This all came to an screeching halt the instant I tried it out. Being born in 1980, the first station I went to was the 80s station, representing music from the greatest decade of all time. I was expecting to hear some Duran Duran, Flock of Seagulls, The Cure, etc.... WRONG. You won't find any of those groups here. No, what you'll get instead is the decade's most mediocre shit...stuff that probably didn't get much airtime even when it was first originally released in the 80s. Even the most big-haired, aqua-netted people back then changed the station when they heard that shit come on...kind of the way people of this decade react when Green Day comes on the radio...."oh fuck, not this shit group again...when is the lead singer going to fucking overdose and get it over with..."
The same thing happened when I turned to the 90s station and the 70's station...I tried changing the channel to the Rock station, hoping for some KoRn, Three Days Grace, Incubus....what do I get instead? I hear some death metal trash from some band that is so fucked up that they would probably make the Devil feel uncomfortable being around them. It seriously sounded as if the DJ loaded the cd upside down and the cd player was trying to read the graphical cover part. Pure shit.
The same scenario replayed when I tried to go to the hip hop station. No Snoop or Eminem there...just a hearty collection of shit that no one outside of the rapper's immediate family has heard of. The only station that played songs I had ever heard of was the pop station...and they were even more fucking annoying than regular FM stations because they had a smaller playlist, so they recycled even fewer songs over and over on an insane fucking loop.
But none of these atrocities compared to what I heard next...the comedy stations. Tech TV said: "XM's comedy lineup is raw and unedited (we love it)." Yeah, it's raw, alright...raw as in the feeling you get when you run out of toilet paper and you're forced to wipe your ass with a Newsweek. It's unedited in the sense that no one gave a second look to see what kind of shit they were just throwing out there. And the only reason they loved it is because the people reviewing this garbage ass product are the same people who laugh at jokes from Dharma and Greg.
The bottom line is this: this product is a colossal waste of money. It costs around $12.95 per month for a subscription, not counting the cost of equipment which will tack on at least another $200 to the total cost. If you are that disgusted with FM/AM radio, then do what every other red blooded American does: rip your music off Kazaa and burn it to a CD.
User Reviews
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-11-05 08:50:51 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Worthless post.
Submitted by gergnamhel (user info) at 2004-10-28 22:33:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by gergnamhel (user info) at 2004-10-28 22:33:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
this is the most trite and inconsequential review of xm I have ever seen-
the reviewer must work for NAB or clear channel
Submitted by Jack D rippa <jdrippa.at.rippa.com> at 2004-10-28 20:42:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
AMEN!
listening to XM is like listening to AM but worse!
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-10-11 22:52:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Steven_Jenkins (user info) at 2004-09-18 02:57:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Serving up another round...
Submitted by Thejudge (user info) at 2004-09-18 01:50:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by anti-tony_IV (user info) at 2004-09-18 00:41:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I can do this forever, Tony. You are a punk ass. Go ahead and send 15 people my way. I think it's funny. You are not creative, you suck. Your website sucks. Your friends suck.
So for every -2 I get from someone I will assume is one of your mindless lackeys, I will -2 you 5 times.
Submitted by Anti-TonyIII (user info) at 2004-09-17 23:53:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Fucking -2 Die, dick!
Submitted by PatheticCapitalistFuck (user info) at 2004-09-17 22:44:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I felt the same way you did when I got a Trailblazer equipped with XM. After about a month, however, I found that I never listen to local radio anymore. Here's why:
You stated that you listend to the 90s station and expected to hear what YOU remember from the 90s. Well, guess what? There was a lot more going on in the 90s than just pop. Don't like what you hear? There ARE about 20 other Rock channels, including three dedicated to just Pop.
You stated you listened to the hip-hop channel, and didn't like what you heard. There's more than just one kind of hip-hop, and XM has at least 8 channels of hip-hop, soul, R&B, etc.
You failed to mention all the news channels (BBC, CNN, Fox, etc) which you couldn't get on ANY local radio. Just like NASCAR radio, ESPN, 9 Channels of dedicated College Sports channels (most games I can't find on TV), and lastly the comedy channels. You must have been listening to the edited comedy channel (it sucks). The unedited channel on 150 is generally pretty good, and they even take requests! Try calling 1-866-xmlaugh and requesting your favorite Andrew Dice Clay bit. They'll play it.
Stuck in traffic? Traveling? 21 channels of dedicated metro area traffic and weather.
Why do I have XM? Simple: choice. I live in a metro radio market and can identify about 30 channels of radio. Sure, my favorite two don't always play the music I want to hear, so I either put up with it or pop in a CD. With XM, you have over 100 choices, and you never have to worry about losing the signal (I've never lost it, except in tunnels and shit). The amount of choice available is pretty much limitless, and about 40 channels have been added in the year and a half I've had XM. I'm still paying the same rate ($9.95) that I started with.
As for the criticism about sound quality, I flat don't understand that. Mine is crystal clear (course it's a Bose stereo, which helps). Don't use the tape adapter. Get an FM modulator (hard wired into your stereo) and have a professional install it. Don't use a wireless FM modulator, otherwise the sound is shitty.
GIVE IT A CHANCE. It's worth your time.
I include the link of channel choices for those interested.
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/full_channel_listing.jsp?sort=number
Submitted by cigar (user info) at 2004-09-17 22:40:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Anti--Tony (user info) at 2004-09-17 22:29:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You suck dick.
Submitted by AntiTony (user info) at 2004-09-17 22:20:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Shit
Submitted by Anti-Tony (user info) at 2004-09-15 08:53:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2004-09-15 08:27:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by mongoose (user info) at 2004-09-06 16:21:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Yes indeed, XM sucks.
The sound quality is terrible. It is not CD quality. I reminds me of the quality I got when I recorded music on my cassette deck back in the early 70's, minus the hiss.
The play list is also terrible. I know, because my wife listens to the Heart, which is the XM station that proposes to play love songs. Not only do they play the same shit over and over again, they also seem to play way to much current "urban" shit.
You can't find any decent rock from the 60's and the classical station is a waste.
Submitted by johnnyn <jvn45.at.hotmail.com> at 2004-07-05 14:21:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I probably wouldn't have checked off satellite radio as an option on my car so here I am with satellite radio for a few months for free since the radio was a standard feature. First, I haven't listened to any of the news stations and my experience with the NY Traffic Station is that it isn't particularly good. The comedy channel has some funny stuff.
The audio quality is great. Unfortunately, I am not impressed with the playlist on the classic rock or deep tracks stations. I think the first jazz station is worse than any commercial jazz station that I have listened to but bluesville is pretty good. Haven't listened to the decades stations enough to form an opinion.
Overall, after trying this out of a month, I'd say I'm leaning in the direction of letting my subscription expire.
Submitted by Tom (user info) at 2004-06-15 17:23:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Oopsie.
Submitted by Vaporblue <vaporbluenb.at.yahoo.com> at 2004-06-15 17:00:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2004-06-14 18:21:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Hey! TonyMontana!
FUCK YOU PISS OFF AND DIE YOU FUCKING HACK!
EAT A FUCKING DICK AND FUCKING CHOKE ON IT YOU SMALL COCKED PIG FUCKING INCESTUAL CUNT LICKING GREASE SHITTER!
Up Yours,
Shitfuck.
Submitted by I_Have_a_Kristen_Fetish (user info) at 2004-06-13 21:15:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Not a bad post, have another.
Submitted by I_Have_a_Kristen_Fetish (user info) at 2004-06-13 21:15:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2004-06-13 21:15:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
This was useful - I'd thought for a long time about getting XM, figuring just the comedy angle was worth it. not anymore.
Submitted by Tom (user info) at 2004-06-13 21:03:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Here I am, logged in again!
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-06-13 16:42:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
skullfag, if you didn't have the attention span or the intelligence of a retarded gorilla you'd realize that in the article I didn't say I bought XM radio...it came as a free trial in my brother's new car.
Submitted by Spiral_Abraxis (user info) at 2004-06-13 16:31:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
No Comment
Submitted by Skullcrusher (user info) at 2004-06-13 16:12:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
It's sad when somebody has to resort to calling people fags to prove a point. What the hell did you buy XM for if you only wanted to hear the 10 songs that regular radio plays anway? What does my post history have to do with my opinion anyway?
Submitted by Tom <On FUCKIN vacation> at 2004-06-13 12:39:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
This is a waste of FUCKIN TIME on my FUCKIN VACIZZLE YO!
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-06-13 12:14:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Vermin, so go ahead and try writing a better post on any subject you fucking faggot.
And yeah, I will concede that my responses to Hermes and others below were short-sighted and retarded. But I'm just sick of having music be degraded based on its popularity. Who cares how many people do or do not listen to a particular band? To me, if a lot of people like a particular song or band, it's usually because they think it sounds good. The majority of the shit that they play on the radio is stuff that I hate but there are a few songs that I really like.
Submitted by dwr_budr (user info) at 2004-06-13 05:47:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I like that you consider those bands and pop culture idols you listed "diverse and eclectic".
How sadly typical.
Submitted by Jerkface at 2004-06-13 05:06:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Tony Toni Tone, I somewhat agree with your opinion about XM radio. On the other hand, your response to Skullcrusher exonerates the idea that the popularity of a product is based on the amount of money generated. I am truly sorry that you have been swallowed by the mainstream giant. It is funny how top record labels and clear channel radio have determined for YOU what YOU like and dislike. You are so incredibly blinded by the propaganda played on MTV, BET, and VH1 that you wrote a post on an open forum website proclaiming what a dick sucker you are. Take a look and realize that multi million dollar companies back the music played on the air. That is why the good music stays underground. Because some people are more interested in spending all of their money on new instruments, and musical tools instead of selling themselves to make a lousy buck. True music is passed around in house parties on scratched up cd and fucked up tapes. True music doesn't need some floozies in a bikini to sell records, because it is good music. (continued below)
Submitted by Jerkface at 2004-06-13 05:04:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
(Continued from above)You may ask, "If it is so great then how come I have never heard of it?" Well unfortunately for us, the small companies get shutdown because the cost for music distribution is so high. As part of their contract, most music distributors are only allowed to distribute music from certain labels. Popular music is popular because people like you have to be told what should be popular to them. The fact that you complain about XM radio not having enough pop music proves this point. I am proud that XM radio does not play music for cum breaths. So my solution for you is to stop writing uneducated posts, go get a pack of cigarettes and a six pack and find some music that hasn't been corrupted by the A&R man. Then, go home to your boyfriend and have him give you a shotgun enema, because you are polluting the minds of our youth
Submitted by Vermin (user info) at 2004-06-13 03:46:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
My anus could write a better post than this. Retard.
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-06-13 02:06:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Herpes, my point is that the gross majority of it IS crap. Granted it's my opinion that it's crap but I have a very diverse and eclectic taste in music. Once again, that doesn't make me some musical authority, but if you subscribed to XM radio for a month or two you'd probably know exactly where I'm coming from.
Submitted by Herpes (user info) at 2004-06-13 01:58:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
XM Radio isn't tailored to what Tony Montana, and ONLY Tony Montana, wants to hear. I like hearing things I've never heard before. If it's crap, I change to the next commercial-free station.
I've also got an MP3 player though, so I understand where you're coming from when you say that downloading and burning is the way to go.
Submitted by bargled (user info) at 2004-06-13 00:09:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
XM is good, but getting an mp3 cd player and a cd-rw makes a whole lot more sense.
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-06-12 22:56:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Everything you ever wanted to know about Skullcrusher
User id: 3386
Registered on or around: 2003-11-01 12:24:56
# Messages posted: 9
# Reviews written: 198
# Times these posts have been reviewed : 85
# Hits: 1326
Average rating of all messages: -0.29
Let that put his dumb ass opinion into perspective.
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-06-12 22:55:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
XM radio sucks a fat dick, and your love of shit ass music does not change that fact. It's unpopularity is highlighted by the fact that this shitty company can't even come close to generating positive cash flow...which means only a handful of subscribers with a shitty taste in music aren't enough to support this colossal waste of money.
And before you bitches get on my case about liking "popular" music, consider this...popular music is usually popular for a reason...because it sounds good. Skullfag, you're not cool because you listen to shitty underground music that few other people have heard of; in fact, one of the reasons your dumbass probably listens to that shit is because it is underground and not mainstream...it has nothing to do with the quality of the music itself.
I'm not saying underground music sucks, so don't misconstrue me. But if you look at good underground music, what is the eventual fate? It becomes mainstream, i.e., it becomes popular because it sounds good. The only stuff that starts underground and stays underground is shit that sounds awful.
Submitted by Skullcrusher (user info) at 2004-06-12 20:59:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You say that XM only plays the tops hits and then complain that they play alot of artists you've never heard of and songs that didn't get much airplay. WTF? If you are searching the stations for Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Incubus then why bother buying XM. XM is about variety, not the same stale old bands they play on regular FM radio anyway If you are paying 12.95 then you must be buying the Playboy Channel. The normal subscription is only $9.95 and then an extra 3 bucks for the Playboy station. I've heard XM, and XM is good.
Submitted by youarsoghey (user info) at 2004-06-12 20:52:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Are you kidding? The stations on there are infinitely better than the crap on regular radio. Two or three full time classical stations, about ten rock stations including "deep tracks" which is very cool. The list goes on. XM is awesome.
Submitted by I_Have_a_Kristen_Fetish (user info) at 2004-06-12 19:51:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I never thought it such a great idea to start with. Why pay $12.95 when there's high-speed internet?
Submitted by Catscradle at 2004-06-12 19:39:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was fantastic.
Submitted by DarthAwesome (user info) at 2004-06-12 19:26:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It sounded like a great idea. I guess I have second thoughts now.