XMP3 Review – The Best Satellite Radio Ever Made
Sirius XM Radio’s XMP3 radio is the latest in wearable devices for satellite radio. Featuring a small compact size, and an easy to use interface, the XMP3 brings music to your ears. At only 2 inches x 3.6 inches by .6 inches, and weighing in at only 3.1 ounces, the XMP3 will fit where you want it while delivering all of the content satellite radio has to offer.
The XMP3 arrived from TSS-Radio, and the only disappointment I have experienced so far is the knowledge that I will only have this hot little unit in my hands for a short period of time.
Upon arrival, I wanted to try the device out quickly. Fully charged and ready to go, I turned on the XMP3 and jumped right in. A good electronics device is intuitive enough that the end user does not have to go crazy trying to figure out how to use it. The XMP3’s simplicity of operation makes it a winner right off the bat. The unit features an easy to use navigation wheel that will be familiar to iPod and Stiletto users. A row of four buttons under the screen get you to any function you need, and the scroll wheel lets you navigate all pop-up and drop-down menus with ease.
Sirius XM Radio made several improvements over previous devices that go beyond size. A better color screen with higher resolution are obvious upgrades, but it is perhaps the recording capabilities that make this device stand apart from a simple MP3 Player. The XMP3 allows live recording of up to five channels at the same time. This means that you can grab content from many sources, and play it back latter. Want to record a specific show? No problem. The XMP3 lets you schedule recordings. In fact, this little device will let you grab up to 75 hours worth of shows! Want an added bonus? The XMP3 automatically records your favorite shows. Hear a song while listening live that you want? Press one button, and it becomes the latest addition to your music library. You can store up to 10 hours of individual songs. Want to import songs from your existing library? The XMP3 features a micro-SD slot. The XMP3 also has a nifty live programming feature that shows you what will be happening on XM for the next two weeks. You can choose to record any show right from this menu.
For investors, the XMP3 allows delayed stock quotes. While the quotes are delayed, it does allow you to know where your stocks are at any given time. For sports fans, you can get score updates right on the screen while you listen to other shows.
Having tried virtually every satellite radio that has come out, I can say that the XMP3 is the best satellite radio device that has ever been offered. The new smaller size combined with greater functionality give satellite radio fans a chance at the ultimate in a satellite radio receiver. TSS-Radio has the XMP3 available at TSS-Radio for $239.99 after a $30 mail in rebate. Whether you are an XM subscriber or a Sirius subscriber, this device is sure to satisfy. The BEST OF programming, which is now available, and the new channel line-ups make this device far more of an asset to audiophiles than a standard receiver. Simply stated, the XMP3 allows you to get the most out of your satellite radio experience, and set yourself apart from the iPod crowd.
Key Features:
- XM2go® Music Manager feature schedules recordings up to 75 hours
- Over 170 channels of music, sports, news, talk, entertainment and exclusive content
- Record XM programming 3 ways: automatic, scheduled, 1-touch–record up to 5 channels at once
- Listen to a personal music collection (MP3/WMA files) with microSD™ card slot
- Compatible with standard or high capacity microSD™ cards
- Set up to 99 favorite channels and record up to 100 hours of XM
- TuneSelect feature alerts users when certain songs are on-air
- XM programming guide features alerts when ‘the best’ is playing or schedule to record it
- Pause, rewind and replay up to 30 minutes of live XM
- Create and modify playlists of personal MP3 collection or XM recordings
- Bookmark and purchase songs from compatible online music services including Napster
- Purchase and listen to audio books from Audible.com
- GameSelect feature alerts users when certain sports events or teams are on-air
- Info extras feature keeps track of selected sports scores and stocks
Includes:
- Rechargeable Battery
- Earbud Headphones
- Remote Control
- Home Dock
- AC Adapter
- USB Cable
- RCA Cable
Position: Long SIRI.
When the new version comes out with WIFI and dual band (Sirius & XM) I will be the first in line.
Can only record 10 hours of music?! What the hell is that all about? I have the Inno and I can store up to 50 hours of music content! Why would I possibly want to upgrade to a device that allows me to store only 20% of the music I can store now?
I was actually going to upgrade to this model, but no way I would consider it now. Please tell me this is a mistake in your write-up.
Is this solely for XM subscribers, or can Sirius subscribers get it as well? I’m interested in a portable player, but am a Sirius subscriber, and it seems all Sirius subscribers have to choose from is Internet Radio players (Slacker) or record players (Stiletto, etc.).
GetItStraight: I will be right behind you in that line. WiFi is such a simple feature, not having it in this XMP3 is mind boggling.
Interested: Basically, what Tyler was saying, is that you can get it with a subscription to XM, subscribe to Best Of Both and it will basically be the same thing as Sirius since the music lineups are virtually identical now.
i would like clarification of the recording also…but I think you can have 75 straight hours of songs because they are part of a series of “shows” but if you want to segment the songs into a song list ie. no dj commentary, then it is 10 hours…not sure but thats my take. Does anyone know for sure?
I thought it said 70 hours of shows. Wouldn’t that include a music channel? Is Dixon’s comment wrong? This sounds like a huge improvement over anything SIRIUS XM has had before. Will the antenna pick up indoors, under a bridge, etc.?
If you’re listening to a channel and want to record the song you’re listening to, hit the record button and it saves the song. You can do that at anytime during the song and it will save the entire song (as long as you’ve been listening to that channel since the beginning of the song). You can record 10 hours worth of individual songs like that. You can schedule to record any channel for up to 75 hours (and I think another 25 more if you turn off the “auto-recording” feature that figures out what you listen to the most and records it for you. I haven’t used that yet so I’m not sure.) The one thing you can’t do is pick individual songs out of a recording session, save them, then delete the rest of the session. It sort of treats a session as a single song. You can skip forward/backward through the individual songs in the session, though.
As far as reception, I’ve been happy. I live in the suburbs of a big city and I get good reception while sitting in my living room or bedroom. I have to hold it upright usually to get the best signal. I’ve been really happy with this so far. Of course until now I’d been using an old XMPCR but thought it was finally time to upgrade.
I think it’s 100 hours…probably a typo.
Under “key features” Tyler wrote 100 hours..
Hmm, for the first time, I see a creative solution to an previously unsolvable dilemma.
I own a BMW so I have Sirius embedded in the car, (which is actually what I preferred to have prior to the merger because of content).
However, I would love to buy the XMP3.
Now that the content is parallel with the exception of premium stations, why not allow a “Best Of” owner to be allowed to be an “interoperable subscriber” instead of worrying about interoperable radios? I’m paying for all of the stations anyway…and this would allow me to pick the best hardware of my choice, amongst both platforms, rather than have to buy two full subscriptions which isn’t realistic?
Additionally, this would allow a family that has a certain make of car that only does XM along with another car like mine that only does SIRI to be able to utilize a Best Of subscription along with a family plan (additional receiver for $6.99) which in the spirit of things, is truer to what we should be able to purchase rather than wholly separate subscriptions.
In my household, we never did activate the XM auto after the first free year because we didn’t want to pay $12.95 x 2, but we would have easily paid an addt’l $6.95 (or whatever it is).
Tyler, any thoughts? Wouldn’t an “interoperable subscriber” give access for all of us to be able to pick and choose the best hardware and make having to choose an interoperable radio irrelevant?
If it skews the tracking of subscriber adds, they could just have us read our Sirius ID or account number to XM (or vice versa) when activating the other side of the house, so they know to charge as a family plan additional receiver instead of a full new subscription, and can track the numbers separately.
Again, this wouldn’t have made sense prior to a few days ago, but now that we have the same basic channels, what difference would it make other than giving us the freedom to add from whatever hardware platforms we find to be the best and/or most convenient?
i remember reading it was 10 hours of individual songs, to me that means you can record a music channel for 75 hours +
Tyler . . . Excellent Review!!
Couple of questions . . .
1.) Who finally woke-up over at Sirius XM and got the device into your hands? Was there any personalized correspondence passed along? (a little inside baseball please for those of us who are unfamiliar with how new products are placed for media review)
2.) How long are you permitted to keep the device on loan? Do you file any type of formal evaluation with the company?
3.) How will sales of the device be effected, if at all, by the imminent launch of an interoperable device?
Thanks
P.S. Goldman Sachs at $65 and sinking everyday . . Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!
The identical channel lists means synergies and lower expenses. Go SIRI go!!
Any input would be great!!
I looked at the 13f filings for the 2 biggest increases,Vanguard and Amerisprise, on mffais and the updates dated November are for qtr ending 9/30/08. Considering the updates are almost 2 months old and the drop in pps since then How relevant is this?
Roadkill…
1. It is sad to say that no one at Sirius XM woke up. This XMP3 player was sent to me by TSS Radio, an independent retailer. No correspondece from Sirius XM at all because they were not involved in any way.
2. I have had the device since last Thursday. I will be shipping it back tomorrow.
3. If an interoperable is launched, but not wearable, then sales should be fine
Thanks Tyler . . . oh well, sounds like the wheels of the Sirius XM retail marketing vehicle may still need some greasing.
Hey socal . . . does this look like a device we would be able to wear on a long run?
I would still stick with the ipod for race-day because of the size and weight … but, if there is a comfortable way to secure this device, I wouldn’t mind being able to take it on the long jog . . .
Wixon,
So if I understand you correctly, the 10 hour limitation only applies to recording and storing INDIVIDUAL songs. But you can still store up to 75 hours of music if you record in sessions by channel? Is this correct? If so, that’s not really a big issue. However, it sounds like they now will not allow you to delete individual songs from a recording session. I don’t particularly like that because I like to delete out all of the DJ snipets, but it’s not nearly as big of a deal as limiting you to only 10 hours of music as I originally thought.
dixon…
wixon is cortrect
The clincher for this device will be the quality of reception when there is no terrestrial signal available. This is my only complaint with the Inno. When I’m using the Inno in the car dock and I’m out of range of a terrestrial signal, the reception becomes very poor and cuts in and out. This can be very frustrating and certainly defeats one of the main benefits of having sattelite radio. Has anyone heard anything regarding whether or not they have improved on this aspect?
Hey Roadkill.
I like the fact it got lighter.
I live with my ipod but would be willing to give this a nice distance run.
Now if we can get the share price up, maybe I can purchase one. lol.
Well, the next version of this device will be even better and likely have WIFI. I have the Inno and as much as I would like this devive, I’ll wait another 6 months for the WIFI version or maybe Sirius next device will match this generation and also they already have Wifi in their last two Stiletto’s.
Why in the world would XM make a great device WITHOUT WIFI? This is a total waste of money without WIFI capabilities.
So in your opinion this outdoes the Stiletto 2? What is the ETA on the next generation of handhelds, do we have any idea?
Battery Time 16.5 Hours Playback time / 4 Hours Live XM. Four hours of live listening is a joke.
I have had this unit for a week and replaced my skyfi2 with it. I like it. However, the thing I got it for and VERY disappointed in is the “timer” recording. It only records on a timer if the unit is in the home doc…WTF??? I thought this would be great to record some programs during the day in the car with or w/o car kit while at work then listen to them on the way home (my office is nowhere near a window). No go. The unit has to be at home in the home doc, so that defeats the purpose of its “portability” because I cant listen to recorded XM in the car/gym because the unit has to be at home recording. Some things I can get overnight but other programs are only on during the day.
Also, I did the playback listen (no fast forwarding/rewinding, just listening) and the battery after about 3 hours was down to 20%. Where does that 16.5 hrs comes from?
The other features are nice, but I can see the frustration not being able to customize play lists and such.
Good thing I didnt pay full price (thanks Circuit City store closing!). I wanted to love it, but I only like it.
I just purchased the XMp3 from Circuit City also because it was marked down. I mainly wanted it so that I could play it in my office, but i’m a little worried because my office is not near a window, so i’m not sure if i will get a signal or not. Also, is the Xmp3 able to play over computer speakers? or Would I have to hook it up to boombox speakers?
I love the look the size the controls, but no WiFI. I will pass on this release and wait for Wi-Fi version. Love my Stiletto 2.