Delphi Sa 10034 Skyfi Cd Audio System

Delphi uses a clever pivoting center unit that houses an XM receiver dock on one side and a CD transport/analog tuner on the flip side--just spin it backward or pull it forward to enjoy your desired source. As an XM radio interface, the boombox is first-rate. The XM SKYFi receiver locks in securely and the boombox carry handle is flexible but durable.

We were impressed with the bass output from the system's small, relatively flat speakers, and midrange and treble frequencies sounded smoother and more balanced than expected. We listened with ease for hours at a stretch. The system seems to process stereo signals to make them wider and more spacious than they'd otherwise sound from speakers fixed less than 10 inches apart, but the effect is not unpleasant.

Crucially, the boombox--unlike the XM receiver itself--offers a headphone jack, letting you plug the system into an integrated amplifier or surround receiver for listening through your usual speakers. (A minijack-to-stereo-RCA "Y" adapter cable is not included.) Sound from the headphone jack is not processed for wide stereo. XM navigation, wholly the province of the SA10000 receiver, is terrific, and the remote control supplied with the boombox operates both the boombox and your XM receiver, so you don't need both remotes on hand.

The CD transport appears to have been cheaply integrated, resulting in audible electrical noise whenever a disc is spinning or skipping to a new track. Luckily, discs spin only part of the time--just long enough to load the music into a memory buffer. With MP3 CDs, the buffer will hold a song or more. With audio CDs, however, discs will spin for about a minute, rest for 20 seconds, then commence spinning. If you're listening at a loud level to music that is fairly loud itself, you probably won't notice the noise. But with close or quiet listening to jazz, classical, or folk, the sputtering can be bothersome.

The CD player's LCD shows the number of directories (folders) and the number of tracks on a disc at startup. The display does not permit macro folder/file navigation, so if you don't know the folder and track numbers for the file you want to hear, you'll have to browse by ear or by specific file name as you skip through the tracks (folder names are not displayed).

We experienced occasional audio glitches during MP3 CD playback, even during stable indoor use. Still, it's nice to have the ability to listen to or shuffle through an MP3 CD, especially on the go: just load 6 D batteries, dock an XM receiver, and bring the included XM antenna and a single multihour MP3 CD for fail-safe musical enjoyment.

The boombox's XM's satellite reception is great. Outdoors, maintain clear overhead visibility (don't expect pristine reception under a massive bridge, for instance). Every location will be different, but it's worth noting that, indoors, we encountered no XM radio dropouts or service interruptions during our review period, either with the recommended south-facing antenna position or from an east-facing position used for much of our listening. The signal intensity varied, but reception was always solid. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Remote control operates both the boombox and your XM receiver
• Rugged design, truly portable
• Cool flip-around CD/XM receiver design
• Plays MP3 CDs, includes FM/AM radio
• Excellent tracking of disc playback while unit is in motion
• Surprising amount of bass from small speakers
• Natural-sounding vocals with clear treble reproduction
• Handle offers thermoplastic rubber grip
• Displays file names for MP3 tracks lacking ID3 tags
• Works with rechargeable batteries

Cons:

• Audio CDs are highly susceptible to electrical noise when disc is in motion or changing tracks
• Slow CD track changes while transport gets up to speed
• Occasional stuttering when playing MP3 tracks
• Does not display MP3 folder/directory names
• Volume up/down buttons rather than rotary knob for CD listening
• XM category up/down buttons hard to access on boombox remote

What's in the Box
Boombox, remote control, 2 AAA remote batteries, an XM satellite antenna, an AC power supply, a user's manual, and a quick-start guide.

Amazon.com Product Description
Free your XM satellite radio from your car or home stereo with this unique, portable all-in-one boombox system. In addition to acting as a dock to the Delphi XM radio receiver (pictured, available separately), the Delphi SA10034 offers a built-in CD/MP3 player and AM/FM radio. This stylishly futuristic music machine is powered either via the included AC adapter or 6 D batteries, and it features two 2.3 watt stereo speakers with bass boost and an antenna with a 10-foot cord (which is required for receiving the XM radio signal).

Sitting between the two speakers is the SA10034 ingeniously designed audio engine, Just rotate this center component 180 degrees to access the XM radio dock on one side, or the CD player and AM/FM radio on the other. The SA10034's housing is constructed from durable ABS plastic, and it features an integrated rubber carrying handle.

The CD player offers random, programmed (30 tracks), and repeat play, and it is also compatible with CD-R/RW discs and MP3 audio files. The orange LCD will display song title, artist name, and folder number during MP3 playback. The AM/FM radio has a telescoping antenna, and it features a total of 30 presets (18 FM and 12 AM). Other features include a headphone jack, built-in clock, and a sleep and wake timer that can be set to either radio or CD.

What Is XM Satellite Radio?
XM Satellite Radio was the first satellite radio service to be offered in the U.S. It features a state-of-the art Broadcast Center in Washington, DC, two Boeing 702 satellites (providing 18 kW of power--the most powerful commercial satellites ever built), and approximately 800 terrestrial repeaters located throughout the continental United States for seamless transmission. Service is not available in Hawaii or Alaska.

XM Satellite Radio offers 100-plus channels, including 70 music channels, over 35 of them commercial-free, and 31 news, sports, talk and children's channels, broadcast coast-to-coast in digital quality. XM's programming partners include Sesame Workshop, NASCAR, Associated Press, ABC News, CNBC, CNET, BBC World Service and BBC Concerts, Radio One, CNN/Sports Illustrated, Hispanic Broadcast Corporation, Disney, and ESPN.