Decoder battle between ESU, TSU, TCS, MTH, and BLI!

Hey everybody,
I decided with the help of two of my buddies, I wanted to show off the sound differences of the different Big Boy/Challenger sound files for the big 5 decoder companies available here in the United States. All decoders have the latest software minus the BLI which is Paragon 3 not Paragon 4 but…let’s face it…it hasn’t really changed in 20 years.
All engines have factory speaker enclosures except for the TCS Big Boy because the factory was shot.
Any light flickering is due to the frame rate of my camera.
Thanks for watching!
Don’t forget to click the Like button, Subscribe and hit the bell I on so you’re notified every time I post!
Also don’t be afraid to share!
Instagram: jakes.trains
BLI w/ TSU2200 owner: ‪@dillonohlemiller401‬
MTH owner: ‪@SensaSean‬
Athearn w/TCS installer: Baker’s train Guy

[@michaelstrains4014]

I had MTH’s last Big Boy for a while and man did that thing sound amazing. All the sounds were crisp and set to the perfect volume. Definitely prefer the ProtoSound3.0 to the Paragon4, the only problem being the BLI version seems to be more reliable.

[@jakes_trains]

BLI and MTH both have their issues. With both, it comes down to the electronics since BLI used the same mold as MTH. They both have electrical issues and they both tend to blow their decoders a lot. Only issue is obviously MTH is not in business anymore for HO scale. Paragon 4 is also still really new so we don't know how reliable its going to be.

[@marc_abby]

I think the ESU sound is the best option for the UP 844 because all the sound are from her

[@jakes_trains]

I definitely agree. I did install esu in my 844, which that video is on here so I hope you had a chance to see it! Esu needs to release their updated big boy sound file so they can actually get into the game with Soundtraxx

[@marc_abby]

@@jakes_trains yes I saw it, really good. Hope ESU make later a good big boy sound. I took for my Big Boy the ESU UP 844 sound and create my own whistles and airpumps, take it from the MTH O gauge 4014 files

[@jakes_trains]

Shouldnt be too hard to take from MTH, I did that in a engine that’s video is coming out soon. Customer wanted the MTH PFA saved

[@Christiane069]

I forgot to ask. I know, the "Big Boy" is a beautiful machine, but why so many, a collection? After all they never, maybe I am wrong, use more than one per train. I might one day get one just for the fun of it as I model modern trains. I could always find an excuse to run it, right.

[@jakes_trains]

I think there was a few times they may have used two. Some people like to collect all the numbers that UP had. But In this case one of those Big Boys is mine. The other was a customers. The challenger, which is smaller, is also mine. The other two are good buddies of mine where I asked if they could send me the sound so we can discuss what everybody thinks is the best sounding version as well as so people who are interested in upgrading their models, can have an idea before they purchase a decoder

[@Christiane069]

@@jakes_trains OK, Thanks for the feedback.

[@jakes_trains]

No problem!

[@sd80mac]

They did double head Big Boys fairly often in revenue service.

[@user-mx9mu6es1d]

How to get one😊

[@jakes_trains]

One of the engines or decoders? Sadly MTH is out of buisness but Scaletrains will be producing them here within the next few years. Athearn and BLI are both producing these engines currently. I personally get the decoders from Yankee Dabbler as they are usually the cheapest around

[@Christiane069]

I like the paragon sound effects best, but the bell is a bit too loud. I like the head light effect, and the sound of the horn on the MTH. Are you going to post the results?

[@jakes_trains]

I’m not afraid to admit I like the sound and lighting effects on the paragon. Now that I have JMRI, I can adjust the individual sound levels as well. I agree the bell is a bit loud. I’d also like to upgrade the speaker to have more bass…if the decoder wasn’t starting to go

[@jakes_trains]

Also, yes. If I get enough people to comment, I would be more than happy to make another video of the results of the decoder who wins