Class 37 Sound - Can Hornby's HM7000 match the mighty Zimo from Bachmann?

[@dr.deborahkatharinestevens318]

A "plug-n-play" HM 7000 solution will definitely suit many modellers, though to many ears a more refined DCC option is going to represent time (and extra money) well spent. I definitely prefer a Growler with a proper exhaust whistle.❤

[@Proper_Chuffed]

I hear you, but it certainly is a more budget friendly option in many regards 💁‍♂️ indeed, they need some meaty bass to sound authentic

[@BobbyNomad]

I agree about the depth of sound from the Zimo however, I've fitted 5 locos (all Diesel) with the HM7000 and where possible, I've fitted the largest speaker enclosure which has given excellent bass reproduction. One or two have only had space for the smallest and second smallest enclosure and the sound does suffer for it. All in all, value for money has to be in Hornby's favour. The HM7000 is a game changer and other manufacturers HAVE to follow suit. I bought my first HM7000 3 months before the Andriod app was launched and was really peeved off about that as it stated "both ios & android" on the box. Loading the sound profiles got easier with each new loco I fitted a 7000 to, but it can still take ages to load the profile depending on download speed of your broadband of course! I'll stick with the 7000 for all new locos and a timely reminder about the 22pin on the new Bachmann - thanks. Best regards Bob

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello Bob, thank you for watching I really do appreciate it. Its a fantastic and affordable sound solution in many regards. I certainly am a big fan of it overall. Hopefully as the tech improves, we will get more fitting options as well as sound profiles from Hornby. Yeah the app does take some time, but the ability to switch profiles between locos is great. Thank you for watching again my friend. Cheers, Hylt

[@roberthiorns7584]

Really liked the look of your layout a lot going on, would be nice to watch it develop. 👍😊.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hi Robert, thank you, it’s my first layout so already picked up a few mistakes but I’m moving onto detailing now so rather excited about that! Thanks for watching! Hylt

[@phil36310]

Excellent test report and I fully agree with your conclusions. The Zimo sound is indeed more 'refined' but so is the price tag. Most of my locomotive collection is TTS equipped and the only negative is the non synchronised steam chuff at start. But who can argue this when the cost of TXS / TTS decoders is half price of the big brothers products. The driving characteristics are very similar with top decoders and that's also an argument in favor of Hornby decoders. My choice is Hornby ! Thanks for sharing & happy model railroading.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thank you for popping in Phil, and for the kind comments, I greatly appreciate it. I agree with you, I think HM7000 is bloody good value for money, and the versatility of it makes it even more appealing frankly. Thank you so much for watching. Hylt

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

An interesting video, although I can't comment on sound locos as we haven't got any on Dylington. However, my grandson is working on a noisy rocking video for his next video offering for his channel. Rock music and flashing lights and the odd train. Hopefully, it will be uploaded this week, so you've been warned, I don't think it will be for everyone but he's being creative...cheers James 🙂👍

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hello James, thanks for watching, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next video from you chaps! Can’t wait to see! Hope you are both doing well. I think experimenting is half the fun of this KZbin nonsense, so he should go wild and bring his ideas to life! Cheers Hylt

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

@Proper_Chuffed he's let his creation loose on the world, I hope you enjoy it when you see it... Cheers 🙂👍James

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY I’ll be sure to watch today! 😎🫡

[@GDGRailway47712]

I was told that the Hornby HM7000 class 37 sound is unrefurbished (i.e. for a class 37/0 or 37/3 (starts by cranking the generator) whereas that actually sounds more like it has a starter motor as used by refurbished 37s. If someone can confirm or correct it would be handy.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

That makes a lot of sense actually, thank you for pointing that out. I’m not sure either to be honest, but it does sound like the Hornby is so much faster? Thanks for watching, Hylt

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

I am still running DC. Bearing in mind the number of locos I would have to convert I would probably go with HM 7000 or even forgo sound on some of them. Sound is very much down to personal preference. Thanks for showing what each system can do. Regards Paul.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Totally agree with you Paul, some people really aren’t fans of sound and I get that. I find one loco running with sound is enough, the rest can be muted or it gets way too noisy! 😂 thanks for watching Hylt

[@Slate56]

Bachmann 'sound fitted' loco's will still produce sound on DC. I've got a few, even steamers! Ok, you don't get all the bells and whistles as with DCC, but you do get engine start up, engine running, brake squeal and engine shutdown. I've also got an Accurascale 37 and a Deltic, also, a Cavalex 56 which all do the same thing. Pretty neat for DC I think 😊

[@JJthrashing]

Will be interesting if Hornby’s HM7000 will update sound files in time, but sound very similar to their old TTS version, more consistent thashing sound doesn’t coast very well, as the Loksound covers everything completely on different levels, but for the price HM7000 is great for the money.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Agreed with you on that, across the board the sound isn’t quite synced correctly, though to a total greenhorn like myself, it gets a pass! 😂 hopefully Hornby gives us options to refine this in future, thank you for watching 😊 Hylt

[@Valleys56xx]

I love the racket a 'Tractor' makes... sounds like it looks - like a 'Shed' makes the sound you'd expect. All the other classes of diesels sound pretty much the same to me. BTW - are those HUO hoppers? I have some Accurascale HUOs and I'm very impressed with the detail on them.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hey Chris, thanks for watching bro. I agree with you, a real noisy bunch of buggers aren’t they. Tbh with you not sure, these were from mainline, got them for around £3 each 😂 they seem solid enough?

[@GDGRailway47712]

Hornby do a NEXT18 decoder for HM7000 and there are NEXT18 to PLUX22 conversion plugs I believe.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Aha! Well that changes things, thank you for the info, I’ll try find some converters for future purchases 😊

[@ianthetrain8832]

Very interesting but what speaker are you using in 37 035? I tend to use an iPhone speaker in the older generation Bachmann locos for a busier sound!!! Keep it up.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hi Ian, thanks for watching. I used the speaker provided by Hornby in the HM7000 sound kit 😊 that’s a good idea, maybe I should try that! Thanks, Hylt

[@doubleodave]

Nice video, I can see you going fully diesel hylt at this rate you know it’s the future 😜

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@doubleodave 😂😂😂 I am so tempted, these damn diesels Dave. I actually blame you to a large extent. 😏

[@doubleodave]

You need to try and get yourself one of these new Cavalax 56s mate they’re on another level again 😆 luckily I think the sound ones are pretty much sold out otherwise I’d be in the overdraft! 🤣

[@Shelvington_Railway]

I found your channel from @DonningtonCastleModelRailway Excellent video mate of my favourite loco, the 37! Liked and Subbed! Cheers, Andy

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hi Andy! Thank you so much for popping by and for the sub! 😊 I really appreciate it! Yes I’ve always been more steam focused but am finding myself besotted with these tractors! 😂

[@kenfox7917]

I do think, that from your comparison audio, the Zimo has better sound quality than the HM7000, however it sounded to me that you had the 'flange sqeale' function perpetually on when running the HM7000 and that would make for a far more 'tinny' sound. May be wrong (usually am) but it may be a factor to consider. Good vid. 👍

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Hey Ken, thanks for watching, I ran the squeal for about 2 segments, otherwise off. Agreed though, I am however pretty impressed with the Hm7000 overall. The squeal is VERY severe on the ears 😂

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

I do like a Class 37 or 30 of them shame mine. All don't have sound. I'm waiting on an Accurascale Class 37 Dutch Livery to join the fleet

[@Proper_Chuffed]

All 30 of them 😂 that sounds brilliant, those colours are so eye catching, can’t wait to see your video.

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

@@Proper_Chuffed I need to purchase a tripod for that one I'm thinking

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway worth the investment, I use mine a lot!

[@hughoconnor9172]

The Zimo is clearly superior to the Hornby effort in many respects except for that really weird initial start up sound which is non-existent on the Hornby. Whether this is due to a difference in the sub classes or simply an omission by Hornby I don't know. Incidentally the Bachmann 37 looks far superior to the Hornby! The sound does come across well but as it's unlikely that someone will be as close to the loco as the microphone perhaps placing the microphone at a 'viewing distance" might give a more accurate assessment? Perhaps those with sound equipped locos may need to consider installing strategically placed microphones???

[@johnberry8912]

The Bachmann was on cold start, warm start is similar to Hornby. Accurascale37 sound is in a different league.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

Thanks for your feedback Hugh. Yeah the Zimo has quite a few different starts, it’s an odd one. Definitely more variety on the Zimo. You’re right about the microphone distance, that’s a good thought about installing mics but I would worry about the quality, perhaps mounting one on a running truck.

[@andrewbrown6786]

I would question whether the sample locos birth had the same start up systems. Refurbished 37’s had a Bosch start up system like 56’s & 58’s - un refurbished just sounded like someone was cranking the start handle🤦

[@ElmtreeLine]

Personally I like the sound of the Hornby more, the bachmann sounds like a woolly sock

[@Proper_Chuffed]

😂 then I didn’t do my job! The Bachmann is far more deep, but overall, Hornby shapes up nicely.

[@riekusvanderwesthuizen471]

Zimo way way more detailed. I can hear the pushrods. Very detailed file. The Hornby sounds like sound decoders sounded 15 years ago. Flat and lifeless.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

You really don’t like Hornby 😂 it’s not terrible, far better than TTS was.

[@riekusvanderwesthuizen471]

@@Proper_Chuffed I sold Hornby at one point. That was enough to cure me from it for life. Dudes always asked me if a specific loco had sound….. they never liked the “only sound it should make is WOER WOER WOER as you throw it over the pallisades” reply lol. They did get a bit better later on, but by then they were not cheap anymore.

[@Proper_Chuffed]

@@riekusvanderwesthuizen471 😂😂😂 I’ve heard this story about the tossed locos. Look improvement is always a good thing, seems they may be turning a corner in people’s eyes.