Sound Systems

[JoeMascitti]

Hey Everyone...Does anyone have a preference on sound systems....I have sound in my USA's, but that sound system is now unavailable....Phoenix stuff sounds good, but costs more than the engine[?]....From what I have seen, there are not too many choices unless I have missed something.....oh...by the way...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN[:D]

Joe

[bman36]

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the well wishes! The only sound system I have purchased is Soundtraxx Sierra. The price was right for my budget. It was quite easy to wire in and the sound features are good. I had talked about sound on another thread a while back and had mentioned speaker enclosures. This will make or break your loco's sound. I used scrap hardwood for mine and made it airtight. Made all the difference in the world. The only other loco I have with sound is an Aristo 0-4-0 that came with sound. It makes the chuffing as the loco moves and does not sound very impressive. This loco will be getting the same sound system as my FA1. I have heard Phoenix is good but I'm not sure it is worth double the price of Sierra. Let's see what others say. Later eh...Brian.

[cacole]

One thing I found out about the SoundTraxx Sierra is that the sound on their Web site is nowhere near as good as what the real product produces. I, too, was debating whether to get the Sierra or Phoenix system. Listening to the sounds on both manufacturers' Web sites indicated that the Phoenix had much better sound than the Sierra. When I went to a hobby shop in Phoenix, Arizona that had a Bachmann Consolidation with a SoundTraxx Sierra system on board, there was really no difference between the two -- the Sierra sounded just as good as the Phoenix, and costs only half as much. Not only that, but the Sierra is made specifically for the Bachmann narrow gauge Consolidation, and the Phoenix system would have to be a generic one for a different type locomotive.

[bman36]

cacole,
One thing with Phoenix though is the ability to interface with a PC. You can merely click an icon to change the settings of your sound system. Nice feature but as you say, is it worth it? Soundtraxx is talking of a new system in the works. Will be interesting to see what they will bring out. Nice thing about today's technology is that quality keeps going up while price stays the same or decreases. One thing is for sure...Large Scale trains gotta' have sound! Later eh...Brian. [tup]

[Anonymous]

I currently only have sound in my SD40-2 because I was running it the most at the time i decided it was time for a sound unit. It is Sierra Sound and sounds fine to me, I have looked at Phoenix Sound as well on their website, but being a teenager, the price is what it comes down to for me. The sierra works just fine, but the Phoenix does have some very nice features.

[Anonymous]

I too looked at both systems and chose Soundtraxx. Both sounded great. Besides the price differance the primary reason I went for Sierra were the lighting features. Since I run diesels the ability to have the lighting effects at the same price was a win-win situation.

[Anonymous]

Hello Joe, I have an Aristocraft SD45 that has Sierra sound in it and to me it sounds great . Makes it come alive . I haven't heard any other system but for the price I feel that you can't go wrong. The only thing I plan on adding is the remote battery charging jack . Right now I have to put it on a test track with the motors turned off and the volume turned all the way down and let it run with the transformer at 12 volts or so for a few hours .