Audiovox Xpress plug-and-play XM Radio home kit

CNET Editors' Rating

3.0 stars
    Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)

Good

Average User Rating

7 reviews

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CNET Editors' Review

CNET Editors' Rating

3.0 stars Good
    Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
  • Design: 7.0
  • Features: 7.0
  • Performance: 5.0

The good: The Audiovox XM Xpress radio receiver is inexpensive and offers a decent array of useful features, such as multiple presets and the ability to store song data. It includes a car kit and a remote, and the modular design allows you to use it in a variety of environments.

The bad: The XM Xpress sound quality isn't great, the screen is monochromatic, and you'll need to buy optional accessories to listen to it at home or on the go. It doesn't have a significant amount of built-in memory.

The bottom line: The Audiovox XM Xpress offers a decent starting point for newbies who want to try out XM satellite radio; it's basic, inexpensive, and easy to use.

Review:

Digital-audio players (DAPs) are well on their way to becoming the de facto device for every listening scenario: in the car, at home, on the go, and all the in-betweens. Satellite radio manufacturers have understood the importance of modularity from the beginning, making every effort to create devices that could easily be moved from car to home and back again. An apt example can be found in the Audiovox XM Xpress, a simple XM radio receiver that can be attached to a variety of accessories for use in just about every imaginable scenario. The device isn't new to market, ... Expand full review

Digital-audio players (DAPs) are well on their way to becoming the de facto device for every listening scenario: in the car, at home, on the go, and all the in-betweens. Satellite radio manufacturers have understood the importance of modularity from the beginning, making every effort to create devices that could easily be moved from car to home and back again. An apt example can be found in the Audiovox XM Xpress, a simple XM radio receiver that can be attached to a variety of accessories for use in just about every imaginable scenario. The device isn't new to market, but that's just as well; a bit of age has made it quite affordable. The Xpress has an MSRP of $89.99, but can be found for as little as $35 with rebates associated with new subscriptions. This coupled with the unit's simplicity make it a good choice for first timer.

The Audiovox XM Xpress is pretty "blah" looking with its muted gray-and-silver coloring and a monochromatic display. It's also slightly large for a portable device, measuring 4.5 inches by 2.5 inches by 0.8-inch. However, this allows for an ample 2.7-inch screen and adequately large controls, both important features in a device made to be used in the car. The screen offers large, legible text; a tactile knob protrudes to the right of the screen that allows for channel scrolling and selection. Above the knob are Display, Search, and Menu keys and below it are Memory, Jump, and preset shuttle buttons. A numerical keypad lines the bottom of the face with numbers "1" through "0." The underside of the XM Xpress has a docking port for attaching the various accessories necessary to power and use the device.

Audiovox includes everything you need to use the XM Xpress in your car--a dock, a cigarette lighter charger, mounting tools, and an audio cassette adapter--as well as one extra that's not particularly useful for in-car use, a remote. I guess it's nice to include a remote, but you'll need one of the optional accessories to really make good use of it, such as the Audiovox Xpress Home Kit ($39.99). Other add-ons include the Belkin Roady Boombox ($99.99) and the Belkin Mobility Kit ($99.99). Setting up the in-car system is a simple matter (instructions are included), and the other solutions are just plug-and-play. All in all, the XM Xpress is quite easy to use.

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User Reviews

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Most recent user reviews

Showing 3 of 7 reviews

2.5 stars

"Easy to use; sound quality average" By ncscootr

Pros: Easy setup, decent remote, inexpensive

Cons: Sound quality is dull and lacks spatial information

Summary: I bought this for my elderly mom but her locale wasn't amenable to a satellite signal and the town has no repeaters. So I am using it in my all-triode-tube Cary Audio system.

The background is very quiet and the sound quality is free of distortion in the midrange (

... Expand full review

4.0 stars

"Nice unit, nice sound, great programming" By BGsaab

Pros: Sports Ticker, XM SureConnect, built-in FM modulator, Remote Control

Cons: Somewhat small buttons...and that's reaching. The Remote control isn't backlit...and I'm really reaching now!

Summary: I bought this unit in April 2007 to replace an original Delphi XM SkyFi, which served me well from 2003-2007. I was at first unimpressed with the static and difficulty in pulling in the signal UNTIL I installed the XM SureConnect device on my car. This completely transformed the unit ... Expand full review

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Quick Specs

  • Product type: XM satellite radio receiver accessory kit

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