After I posted, I went and listened to the XM radio on DirecTV and then the FM stereo radio stations with my HT.

The FM radio stations sounded much better!!! Why? I don't know, but they did.

The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV