Delphi is a name that consumers have come to associate with good quality automotive products, and their portable XM Radio Audio System is no exception. By simply attaching a Roady XT or SKYFi XM satellite radio, you can take the unit outdoors or on the road to enjoy tunes the way you want: loud.

The system is essentially a shell with twin speakers, an XM home antenna, and a dock for your Roady XT or SKYFi satellite radio. The speakers can be powered via AC adapter (included) or by using 6 D-cell batteries (not included), which run the unit for several hours uninterrupted, even at high volumes. The Delphi Audio System includes controls for volume, bass and treble and even a headphone jack in the event that a loud speaker system is not what's called for.

We ran the unit with batteries and found that, to insert them, you actually have to lift off the top of the unit to gain access to the required compartment. Delphi recommends rechargeable batteries for obvious reasons--they don't last for that long and you don't want to go through hundreds of dollars in batteries during your first year of use. Docking and undocking the XM radios from the Audio System is easy: inserting the XM receiver into the bottom of the cradle and then easing it back until it clicks. If you use a Roady XT, you'll need to use the included docking adapter.

While the system worked well, we found--as with all XM-bases portable systems--that antenna placement was always an issue. The Delphi comes with a home antenna, which has a 20-foot cable. You can either wrap the cable around the two cable hooks in the interior battery compartment of the Audio System, or you can use the full distance to remotely place the antenna (near a window for example) and get better reception in your home. Be cautious as you replace the battery cover, as there are six tabs which all need to be re-engaged when you secure the lid by sliding it back onto the main chassis. As for aiming the antenna, the system's menu screen will allow you to run an Antenna Aiming mode which will give you levels on terrestrial and satellite signal strength levels.

The Delphi Audio System is a flexible but simple product that appeals to owners of both the SKYFi receivers and those with the Roady XT. All told, you can't beat the price of this product and the pure enjoyment it affords to users. We'd love to see a higher end version come along with Li-ion battery technology and perhaps even a method of bringing in an auxiliary input or iPod media player. But for the cost, the Delphi Audio System is an easy sell despite its lack of advanced features.

Pros: Conveniently portable, works with multiple XM receivers
Cons: No aux input or iPod support, no FM radio

Warranty
1 year