NEW VERSION Rapido 44-tonner DCC-Sound Speaker Comparison

[@TheValleyLocal]

Wow - really appreciate your comparing both SSS speakers with the stock speaker. I expected there'd be an improvement, but wasn't expecting quite as dramatic an improvement - especially with the cab speaker! I really like the cab interior, but the cab speaker is close to convincing me to do without it... Thanks again for creating such a great product! I'm a HUGE fan of how great you make my diesels sound!

[@ronbassani2359]

Phenomenal job with the cab speaker!!

[@PennCentral99]

Hey jt, as always, nice comparison. The stock speaker is just that, a stock speaker. The drop in speaker sounds good, but seems like the prime mover over powers the horn. I think the cab speaker sounds the best. Thanks for the discussion at the St Louis RPM

[@Musepro7]

As always, sound levels need to be adjusted for each specific speaker, but I leave all values default for equal comparison. Good meeting you!

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

I’m gonna say it’s the worst stock speaker in a DCC locomotive I’ve ever heard.

[@JHarryF]

I assume this video shows Rapido’s ESU sound decoder with the stock and the Scale system’s speaker. Does anyone know if the Rapido DC/Silent version of this loco is truly drop-in DCC Ready - re with pins for an easy install of the sound decoder of my choice? (I confess that I like the Soundtraxx decoder with its automatic direction signals feature - something ESU does not have - at least the last time I checked.)

[@Musepro7]

The DCC-ready model does have a NEXT18 motherboard, so you would be able to use the TSU-N18 decoder without modifying anything. Soundtraxx made a video showing this, which includes some minor function programming you'll need to perform. According to Larry Linger who also made a video of this on his channel Solo Contracting, you program CV1.389= value 15 to make the headlights operate on F0. The built-in Mo-Power will work by programming the TSU-N18 CV1.390 = value 15.

[@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC]

Do you have an actual link to the RAPO-44TC-RC1 cab-speaker? The site has no search feature and Im not seeing it listed. Thanks

[@Musepro7]

You're watching the cab-speaker video. It says NEW VERSION at the beginning. The video description says, "....compare the sound of the stock factory speaker with the Scale Sound Systems RAPO-44T1-RC1 drop-in speaker and the NEW RAPO-44TC-RC1 cab-speaker...."

[@James-Railyard]

Do you have one for the Rapido Alco FA-1 coming out soon? I got an ABA set in need of that low end grumble.

[@Musepro7]

I have not received any new runs in the shop yet. I'm not sure if the existing RAPO-FA1X speaker will fit the new runs.

[@James-Railyard]

@@Musepro7 I didn’t see a FA1X but found the FA2X. The new FA units have an updating chassis from what I’ve seen and have that new dual cube speaker that the E8’s have BUT mounted inter the board above the rear truck.

[@Musepro7]

@@James-Railyard Ah right....the FA2 is longer! I figured the new FA1s would be totally different anyway. E-mail me at [e-mail].