Is the sound really worth the extra cost? I have sound in G scale and sounds good. I haven't really heard any in N scale. With that small of a speaker, I know it won't like the real thing.
Is this a poll? I bought a sound-equipped diesel and don't use it much. Sound adds a level of interest to operations but it is tinny and I find it a bit irritating. In theory it also costs pulling power. I mute mine when I turn on my track power; can't imagine having all six of my locos go thru startup sequences at once.
If you have a club nearby, you might want to stop by to hear a sampling. I'm new to DCC, have one sound equipped locomotive and am not sure what to make of it long term. It's neat technology and fun to play with, but I'm uncertain if the novelty will eventually wear off.
I'm currently testing Recording sounds on my Playing them back on a Bluetooth speaker In particular I'm recording the sounds of freight trains off of videos online YouTube
Quality sound is dependent on 6 factors: 1. A good sound decoder 2. A good sound file 3. A good speaker 4. A good speaker enclosure 5. A GOOD SPEAKER ENCLOSURE! 6. A GOOD SPEAKER ENCLOSURE!! Many people scoff at N scale sound because they've probably heard an example where there was no air-tight speaker enclosure on one side of the speaker. A number of N scale manufacturers still don't understand the necessity of an adequately sized enclosure either and either skip or mess up this absolutely vital feature. The speaker simply sitting inside a loco's shell doesn't suffice, because the sound coming out of the front and back of the speaker MUST be completely isolated from the other. Otherwise, you just get unpleasant, crackly, tinny noise. Another issue with N scale sound is differences in expectations between people. Yes, the speakers have to be tiny in most N scale installs and that's going to cut down on some bass, but I am quite pleased with my installs because I don't expect an N scale loco to sound like there's a 1:1 loco in the train room with me. I expect an N scale loco to sound like I'm standing hundreds or even thousands of feet away from a 1;1 loco, as that's typically how many scale feet I am from an N scale loco on my layout when it is, or they are, running.
I think at the end of the day, this has to be based on your own preferences. For me when I modeled n-gauge as a boy, I loved it... now at the ripe age of 36 and getting back into the hobby again and seeing the advancement's and sound locos — I haven't bought anything that does not include a sound decoder (other than my VRE P40) For me — I'm modeling for realism, and bending down close to your layout as your locos move by with the sound of the engine and the extra wheel squeaks + the distant sound of my idling locos loading up in my industry is that extra cherry on the top for me. The increase in cost is very significant, but for me investing in this hobby is what keeps me out of trouble To each their own, but for me, sound all the way! CHOOCHOO!
I am going to echo the last two posts regarding N scale sound. I enjoy what I have done and I can always mute the sounds if I want. I got into the sound game knowing that it would not be like a 1:1 sound and I did not want it to be, I mean lets scale down the noise too. Here is a short video of two of my steamers running together and I apologize for the racket in background but this was club day and guys sit around and talk. It does give an idea of what makes me happy. BTW, I did both ESU installs. Enjoy ! PS: Was it worth the cost, yes they kept me out of the bars ! !
I had some sound equipped locomotives when I was part of an HO club many moons ago. My personal experience has been that one locomotive is interesting, even novel, but as you add more locomotives, it just becomes sound mush and irritating. In N scale, the sound is less and usually more tinny due to the small speakers. Personal opinion is no, not worth the price difference. I have a stereo and some cd's (okay, now their MP3's) that have the sounds of trains running when I want to listen to trains.
I went with two sound equipped dcc locos. I found that they are very temperamental and can overheat, causing it to stop and then start up again without warning. The sound was tinny and i would turn the sound off. I took the sound boards out and put non sound dcc chipsets in mine. Engine runs great now without any issues! Are they worth it? Some say its the cats meow. My vote is no. Just my two cents
The descriptions bring to mind the story of the 'Seven Blind Men and the Elephent". I think I need to pefect my blue tooth option.
We have about 12 trains in staging with about half that have sound in the lead engine. We also have a geep in the yard with sound. Blowing the horn for crossings and running the bell through the station adds another layer of realism for me. Notching it up to get up the West Burlington hill makes me wish I had a much longer hill. When I run a train without sound I feel like I'm missing something. There certainly is a cost and not all sound decoders are equal. For me the cost, extra decoder/speaker install hassle and tweaking is worth it.
I find sound to be worth it, and the prime reason for going DCC. However you don't have to sound-equip ALL your locos (unless you have the money/time). I have three sound-equipped passenger locos (one Kato P42 and two Athearn F59PHIs) and one sound-equipped freight loco (ScaleTrains ET44AC). I love having the bell and horn, it adds a more prototypical dimension to controlling a train. I do think people need to understand the importance of balancing the sound on their locos - the prime mover doesn't have to be that loud. You're not watching a hair dryer moving around your layout! It should be relatively low in volume, but balanced enough with the sound of the motor/gears the loco produces. The bell should be noticeable at close proximity, but generally inaudible when heard from a distance. Same goes for the mechanical sounds like air compressor, etc. And the horn should be the loudest thing on a loco, as the prototype's sound carries for miles.
My personal experience is limited to a couple locos of my own and a few on my old club's layout. I love the sound from my N scale models and plan to add more sound decoders over time. On the other hand, I live about a half mile from the BN water-level line here in Bellingham, WA. From my house what I hear is the crossing whistles and an indistinct, low rumble. The nearer I am to the line, the more "detail" I hear. I also get to experience the sound of the train approaching, passing by and fading away several times a day. What I miss in the model sounds is the bass notes. Expanding on your question, I want to know if the Broadway Limited Rolling Thunder system is worth the extra cost? Will it fill in the bass notes? I realize it only works with BLI decoders. Stay safe,
I have several sound-equipped locos (my own custom installs with mostly ESU sound decoders and a couple Zimos) and I've never once had one overheat and shut down. Not once. And, because I know how to build a quality speaker enclosure, I enjoy high quality sound. I wish more people could hear, in person, what a quality sound install sounds like. I think a lot of people only hear lower end sound decoders with crappy sound files and crappy speakers (without enclosures) and make a determination that N scale sound sucks. That's really unfortunate. Here's an N scale LL SW1200 that I re-motored and installed an ESU sound decoder in...
N scale steam and diesel locomotives can have very good quality sound. The early (circa 2004) after-market sound boards were tinny and not very realistic sounding. I purchased several MRC DCC/sound for Kato F3A & F7A diesels. The sound was interesting but without a speaker enclosure was not as good as current versions by Soundtraxx and ESU. I have to say that I was bitten by the sound bug. Most of my purchases are DCC/Sound equipped. The problem with this is that I cannot have more than a few of the them with the sound on. They use more amperage and does affect the running characteristics. I have to admit that I am not adjusting CVs... which might help alot. I imagine myself putting twenty DCC/Sound locos simultaneously and blowing out my circuit breakers, electric meter, tranformers and causing a localized blackout (LOL). All this while blowing out my eardrums.
Rolling Thunder picks up only one transmitter at a time, plays the sound only of that one locomotive at a time.
Child: Mom, why are the lights flickering and blinking? Mom: Oh it's your Dad again down in the basement. He's firing up all those sound locomotives. Dad: (Evil Grin) They are alive!!!! Brwahahahahaha!
