Radio used to be a wonderland, a place where we could discover extraordinary new worlds of music—and sometimes even find ourselves in the process. In the last two decades, though, commercialization and consolidation have robbed radio of its magic. We’re left with screaming talk-show hosts, infantile disc jockeys and music that should be shoveled instead of played.

But radio is back, thanks to two daring companies and a little rocket science.  Two satellite radio services, XM and Sirius, now beam down about 100 channels each of high-quality music, news, sports and entertainment.

When I first heard satellite radio, it reminded me of 1969, the year I snuck up to my room with Dad’s transistor radio and dialed around until I found New Orleans’ only rock station.  This tale would sound more portentous if the artist I first remember hearing was the Beatles or Jimi Hendrix; sadly, it was probably the Archies. Regardless, I emerged from my room a changed boy, one newly aware of and excited by what the world had to offer. (Click image to enlarge)

Satellite radio reawakens that feeling. Browse the offerings on XM or Sirius and, in minutes, you will find wonderful music you never knew existed.  There are so many great tunes that you may want to listen to three stations at once—which is exactly what Antex Electronics’ SRX-3 TriplePlay Sirius receiver lets you do.
Of course, it is unlikely you will use TriplePlay to listen to alternative rock, old-school rap and bluegrass simultaneously in the same room (although you could). Antex’s intention in developing TriplePlay is to source satellite radio for multiroom audio systems, which provide sound for an entire house from a central location. Since a multiroom audio system serves every family member at once, it is easy to envision a satellite radio receiver alternating from hip-hop to traditional jazz every few seconds as a father and his teenage son fight for control from their respective bedrooms. TriplePlay eliminates this problem by incorporating three Sirius tuners in one component.

Separate satellite radio feeds for up to three rooms? The SRX-3 makes it easy. Just select your material from the front display (left) or use the remote (right) or a programmable keypad to flip through your favorites. (Click images to enlarge)

A front display shows what’s playing on each of the three tuners; on the readout, you see the channel name and number, the artist name and the song title.  You can store as many as 10 presets for each of the zones, making it easy to flip through your favorite stations. If your  multiroom system’s keypads include numeric keys, you can select your favorite stations by number.

Seeing which station is playing, though, can be complicated.  Antex offers software that allows a Crestron touchscreen to control Triple-Play; the Crestron screen shows what’s playing in each zone.  The company says it will have software for AMX screens finished by the time you read this, and plans to produce software for other control devices, too. However, if your home is not touchscreen-equipped, you will have to rely on the presets and your ear to tell you what’s on, unless you want to sprint to the closet housing your multiroom audio system.

No matter what’s playing, it will surely be better than most of FM radio’s offerings. Sirius offers 60 music stations, and all seem to be programmed by people with a passion for their subgenre. The only category that seems slighted is blues, which is allotted only one station while country gets five and jazz gets six. But it is the best blues station I have ever heard. Surprisingly, I develop a taste even for niches I have snubbed in the past. For example, I must confess I have always been blind to the genius of the Grateful Dead, yet I am addicted to 17JamOn—a station highlighting Dead-inspired jam bands. Go figure.

Alongside the great music come eight sports stations, 16 news stations and 19 talk and general entertainment stations. For more on Sirius programming and a full comparison with XM, read our feature story “Beaming Down the Beatles” in the March 2004 issue, or peruse www.sirius.com and www.xm.com. Both services are available for the car, too. Sirius is commercial-free, although the stations run promotional spots for Sirius programming.  The service costs $12.95 per month for the first receiver, and $6.95 per month for each receiver after that, so a fully activated TriplePlay will run you $26.85 per month.  Add extra TriplePlays if you want more zones of satellite radio.
Both Sirius and XM tout “digital sound quality.”  That’s a meaningless phrase since it can describe the performance of everything from a $49 cell phone to a $5,000 Super Audio CD player. However, I can confidently state that TriplePlay offers sound quality as pleasing as that of a good FM radio tuner.  Although I cannot compare TriplePlay directly to a CD—I never know what tune Sirius might play next—my long-term listening finds the midrange and bass excellent, and the treble gently rolled off.  That means treble-heavy instruments like flutes, cymbals and acoustic guitars lose a little of the sparkle they have on CD.  Through most multiroom audio systems, you would never hear the difference. I suspect, though, that even audio enthusiasts would welcome the SRX-3 in their systems, because the quality of the music itself is so far above what they can get from FM.

A parental control function locks the kids out of any stations you choose, so you need not worry about poisoning Junior’s mind with the filth on Sirius’ StarLite light rock station. Honestly, though, Sirius’ own talk stations occasionally get as foul-mouthed as HBO’s raciest fare, so this feature may come in handy.

If satellite radio has piqued your interest, give it a listen.  A high-quality receiver like Antex’s SRX-3 TriplePlay can reawaken your interest in music.  It can also keep you more informed on current events and more plugged into the sports scene than you have ever been. Satellite radio is one new medium they got right.
DESCRIPTION
Three-zone satellite radio receiver. Receives more than 100 stations through Sirius satellite radio service. Provides independent feeds for up to three zones, so you can listen to different stations in each of three rooms. Includes antenna

CONNECTIONS
Threaded connector for antenna input, three RCA stereo analog audio outputs, three Toslink optical digital audio outputs, 1¼8-inch minijack for IR control input, DB-9 connector for RS-232 control input

DIMENSIONS
3.5 x 17.8 x 12 inches (hwd)

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: SRX-3, $1,699;
Crestron control module, $250
CONTACT: 310.532.3092
www­.antex.com