Satellite Radio Comes Home

By Daren Fonda

If you're sick of all the ads on the radio, you aren't alone. Demand for commercial free music is sending folks flocking to satellite radio at a rate of 347,000 subscribers a month, according to a new report by JPMorgan. The two service providers, Sirius and XM, have mainly courted car-radio listeners. Now the satellite guys are hooking up with tech firms to target home users with boom boxes, stereo tuners and handheld gadgets (aimed at iPod users). Is the gear ready for prime time? --By Daren Fonda

XACT PORTABLE BOOM BOX XS027 ($160)

WHAT'S COOL Equipped for Sirius service ($13 a month), it features a rotating module that turns the device into a CD player or AM/FM radio. Load it up with eight D-size batteries and it's ready for a sojourn outdoors.

WHAT'S NOT The actual satellite tuner is sold separately and will set you back an additional $100. (If you add a $50 docking kit, the tuner can double as a satellite car radio.) The audio quality is adequate but lacks bassy depth.

DELPHI XM2GO MYFI ($350)

WHAT'S COOL A pocket-size radio, the MyFi offers two listening options: you can tune in to a live XM satellite feed or store up to five hours of it for playback later.

WHAT'S NOT Anyone accustomed to iPod-like simplicity will find the MyFi an exercise in accessory hell. Riddled with buttons, it also has 20 add-ons, including a clip-on antenna to boost the signal.

CAMBRIDGE SOUNDWORKS PLAYDOCK-XM ($200)

WHAT'S COOL A sturdy unit that works with XM ($10 a month), it delivers deep, rich sound through 7-watt tweeters and a 15-watt bass speaker. One thoughtful touch: a built-in rechargeable battery, good for up to 12 hours of life.

WHAT'S NOT You'll get a workout lugging it around: the unit weighs 13 1/2 lbs. You'll also need a separate tuner, the Delphi Roady (good for the car too), which adds $120 to the cost and detracts from a sleek design.

SIRIUS HOME RECEIVER SR-H550 ($300)

WHAT'S COOL Due in May, it's the best bet for audiophiles because it plugs into your stereo and cranks out CD-quality audio. Parental controls can lock out raunchy Sirius shows, and the unit can alert you to a favorite artist on another channel.

WHAT'S NOT It's pricey, especially given that a new generation of home theaters and stereos due in the next few months will need only a $50 antenna to pick up XM.