My new BLI EMD SW7 is quiet, how about yours?

[rrinker]

I was at the LHS picking up some supplies for some weekend construction, and they have the new BLW SW7's in stock. So I had them get one out and run it on their test track - VERY nice! Great slow speed operation, the sound is good and not overdriven and distorted like most of the other QSI locos when first taken out of the box (I turned down the volume on both the Atlas Trainmaster and BLI GG-1, and they sound 200% better). ANd the detailing is excellent - dunno what happened with the SD40-2, but this one is MUCH nicer. And the drivetrain is quiet - they ran an SD40-2 and it sounds like it had an OLD Athearn drive train with a worn motor. This sucker was whisper quiet, the only noise was the sound system.
Too bad (or maybe that's LUCKY for me and my wallet), my prototype did not roster any SW7's and so this unit is not offered in my road.

--Randy

[rexhea]

Got my SW7 yesterday and it runs as smooth as my P2k SW1. The sound is very realistic although its not very loud. But, as mentioned, its a small engine.

I like it enough that I am ordering another one Monday.
REX

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

Tony's web site shows pictures of it witht he shell off, if there's two speakers in there, I don't know where they are.
At the same time, I wouldn't change a purchase decision because it only has one speaker - it's a small narrow carbody, in HO.

--Randy

Well you might not base your decision on the volume or lack of there of and I am well aware of what the sw or nw ,is in fact as far as size But you most probably have normal hearing capacity I on the other hand being 100% deaf in the right ear and 85% deaf in the left need digital amplication to hear, might not be able to hear it at all if the volume is indeed that low, that is all I was trying to find out, since it was advertised as a dual speaker system, Thanks for the info Terry

[MudHen_462]

I got my NW-2 today, and it both run's, and sounds great (given the single speaker system). BLI, however, has the SW-7 and NW-2 listed on their site, as having a dual speaker sound system in their description of the EMD Switchers. I can't believe that they ever thought they could fit the second speaker in that small space.....
Bob

[Anonymous]

I have problem with my BLI SW switcher. It seems to be derailing frequently.
Not enough swing on the wheel sets. Sound is okay. Not really loud.
I run my locomotive on a MRC prodigy system.
Anybody else have any problems with derailing?
Thank you.

[NYCentral1]

I think the lower volume of one of these engines would actually be kind of realistic.
Personally , I wouldn't expect a "small" SW switcher to have near the volume compared to a much larger Hudson or even an E8.

[rrinker]

Tony's web site shows pictures of it witht he shell off, if there's two speakers in there, I don't know where they are.
At the same time, I wouldn't change a purchase decision because it only has one speaker - it's a small narrow carbody, in HO.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

so the sw and nw only have one speaker the web site at BLI advertises a daul speaker syrtem Misprint or Manf.mess up.I was going to get mine this weekend but I think i will have to ckeck it out a little better,Thanks for the info.Terry

[johncolley]

Also, remember, switchers are 1/2 or less the horsepower, and also, the sound level, of a road unit. Keep things in perspective. What level of sound do you hear at 100ft, 500ft, 1000ft, from a locomotive?

[rrinker]

Yep, one speaker, and it's fairly small. Frankly, I am amazed they got it all in there to begin with. If the decoder is defaulted to max volume like other QSI sound systems, it will likely sound MUCH better if you cut back on the volume. It made a HUGE difference cutting back the volume on the Atlas Train Master my father in law has.

--Randy

[cacole]

As you surmised, the lack of volume is most likely due to the size of the speaker, and not the QSI system itself.

[Anonymous]

Hey Everyone,
Well, my subject line pretty much says it all. I recieved my new BLI EMD SW7 yesterday, and I tried it out. The sound quality is great, but the volume is much less than previous BLI / QSI locos (I own a M1a, GG1, and the Lionel Veranda). I also made sure that the decoder was programmed for maximum volume, but it still sounds pretty quiet to me.
Is there less sound because they could only fit in one speaker? Is there a manual volume adjustment hidden inside? (Not just the wand thing on the top?)
Thanks for your help,
Jeff G.

P.S. I still love the model and it looks great.