Has anybody attempted installing the Delphi XM Satellite Radio on their Subaru??? I've purchased and activated one.....wondering if it was blonde moment of the century. :confused: I have an 04 Subaru Impreza RS Sedan w/ a cd player and the only car kits I've found online are for a casette player - meaning it transmits the sound sort of like a portable cd player would. Is there another way to do this? Can somebody help me out?

If your CD player has an audio input you can hardwire it, or you can use the FM modulator to broadcast the signal to a radio frequency.

If you've got a stock CD player from Subaru, chances are you don't have an audio input on the HU, which means you'll have to use the FM modulator.

I'm in the same dilemma right now; my stock changer doesn't have an audio input, so I'm fighting with getting the FM mod (not great sound quality) + external satellite radio unit (over $100) or just doing a whole new system (pricer, but much better quality and flexibility).

You can get a hardwired FMmodulator aswell... It actaully plug into the back of your stereo where the antenna attaches. Works like a transmitter, but since it is directly connected, you get no signal loss...so itz full stereo quality. Look for it in mobile VIDEO sections, that is what they are usually used for. BTW Sirius is way better!!!!!!HAHA!

The sound quality with an FM modulator will only be as good as a decent FM station, the limiting factor is that the signal still has to go through the modulation/demodulation process in the modulator and receiver. The frequency response, dynamic range etc. will be less than with a direct line input.
Depending on how concerned you are about sound quality the best option would probably be an aftermarket HU with a direct aux input.

I have the Delphi Roady 2 with my JVC KD-SH707 plugged into the front input jack and mounted just perfect to the left of my cupholder. I think it looks really clean and I am getting some great SQ. Granted im still on Stock speakers it sounds miles better than regular radio and to me just as decent as my mp3 CD's.

If you get a headunit with aux in then its a great buy. Its also the smallest standalone unit out there, thats what made me pick xm over sirius

I've installed a few satellite radio's on subies with stock stereos. The FM modulator is actully pretty decent and a minimal amount of sound quality is sacraficed if any. On the modulator you'll find a switch which allows you to choose from 3 different FM stations which enables you to pick the station with the strongest signal.
This route is definately better than simply using the wireless RF on the XM Roady 2or Sirius Sportster units.

BTW the unit fits perfectly under the ash tray (02-04 models).

The other alternative is to use the cassette adapter that looks like a cassette with a wire coming out of it that plugs into your external audio device. This works OK and I have used one for my GPS with decent results (but I'm only receiving voice prompts so music might not be as good.)

Dale

My dad has one on his WRX, and it actually sounds pretty good on the factory deck. But its not CD quality

I've installed a few satellite radio's on subies with stock stereos. The FM modulator is actully pretty decent and a minimal amount of sound quality is sacraficed if any. On the modulator you'll find a switch which allows you to choose from 3 different FM stations which enables you to pick the station with the strongest signal.
This route is definately better than simply using the wireless RF on the XM Roady 2or Sirius Sportster units.

BTW the unit fits perfectly under the ash tray (02-04 models).



The ash tray has that little metal piece that comes up when you open it though....how do you remove that? And I'm sure there's a way to unplug the little light inside - my dad can figure that one out. :D lol

I have the Roady 2 in my WRX w/ the stock HU. What I found was the sound was WORLDS better going thru the cassette adaptor than the wireless FM modulator. This may have been a factor of the environment, since every one of the frequencies built into the Roady wasa signal in Seattle.

But for me, the cassette adaptor works much better.

Now my beater is getting an Aiwa HU, which has the front AUX input. I anxious to hear how that will sound

I have Delphi hard mounted to the right of my deck on my '03 WRX. The mounting bracket fits on to one of the HVAC screws behind the radio bevel. I mounted my antenna in the inside of the front dash behind a parking sticker to draw less attention to the HUGE XM printed on it. The in-line wireless FM modulator is worth the money (I hate wires). You sacrafice a little sound quality, but it's strong enough not to get any interference. The in-line modulator powers up and down by itself. The only thing I don't like about the bracket's placement is that you have to reach behind the Delphi to adjust the airflow control.

Happy XMing. :)

I have the Roady 2 in my WRX w/ the stock HU. What I found was the sound was WORLDS better going thru the cassette adaptor than the wireless FM modulator. This may have been a factor of the environment, since every one of the frequencies built into the Roady wasa signal in Seattle.
Unfortunately, the cassette adaptor isn't an option for me...I have no cassette player on my 04 rs! :eek: I've heard the wireless fm mod. doesn't sound nearly as good as the wired one delphi makes and that the wired one is actually pretty easy to hide for a clean install. It's interesting what you say about the built in frequencies...someone told me that xm is so powerful that it outdoes the fm when your receiver is on, but apparently that's not the case for everyone?

I have Delphi hard mounted to the right of my deck on my '03 WRX. The mounting bracket fits on to one of the HVAC screws behind the radio bevel. I mounted my antenna in the inside of the front dash behind a parking sticker to draw less attention to the HUGE XM printed on it...The only thing I don't like about the bracket's placement is that you have to reach behind the Delphi to adjust the airflow control.
I believe I bought a similar bracket...the only thing I'm worried about is it getting in the way when I'm shifting :( Hopefully I don't run into either problem! What kind of reception do you get with the antenna mounted on the dash like that? From what I understand, they make it pretty clear that it be mounted on a metal surface to avoid static, interference, etc.....which makes me a little hesitant cuz then the car looks funny with that lil guy on the outside, ya know?

I believe I bought a similar bracket...the only thing I'm worried about is it getting in the way when I'm shifting :( Hopefully I don't run into either problem! What kind of reception do you get with the antenna mounted on the dash like that? From what I understand, they make it pretty clear that it be mounted on a metal surface to avoid static, interference, etc.....which makes me a little hesitant cuz then the car looks funny with that lil guy on the outside, ya know?

I have my antenna mounted on my roof about 1 foot in front of my rear glass... it looks fin to me and is really clean. Ill get pics when my digicam shows up here in a week.

I also have my XM antenna mounted on the dash. Works just fine and not as obvious.

i cant figure out a clean way to install my antenna.

right now its on the rear deck inside the car and getting really bad reception :-/

i need a new idea.

For those of you worried about not mounting the antenna on metal (e.g. on dash, deck), having the antenna on at least a small square of metal (6-12 inches on a side) acts as sort of a reflector and improves the signal. To "roll your own" metal, just cut a square or circle out of aluminum foil and put the antenna on top of that. To stealthify it a bit, you can put paper, cloth, thin plastic, etc over the foil and under (or over!) the antenna.