DG I have over 100 locomotives that have SSS speakers. There are the best bar none. JT Burke is an audio engineer by trade. The most remarkable attribute about his product line of speakers is this: you don't have to cut up the inside of the shell of your engine to make them fit. Almost all of them DROP IN without any modification. That's the biggest selling point to me besides the deep bass rumble. The speakers are worth the investment. Enjoy your channel. Keep the videos coming!!

The EMD 645 is among my favorite sounds in the world.... The "Turbo Whine" is really what defines it. I thought that the prime mover sounds were much cleaner and better defined in the Athearn Sugar Cube speakers. Things seemed much more muffled in the Scale Sound Systems speakers. YMMV Edit: GREAT comparison BTW

Both speakers sound great, but the Scale Sound Solutions speakers really shine bringing out the prime mover and horn sounds!

Both sounded good. I've installed a couple scale sound speakers along with loksound 5 decoders. Both went in P2K units an SD-7 and a BL-2. I had iPhone speakers installed in both prior (they were inexpensive). The swap of speakers made a world of difference. Scale sound is putting out some great stuff aside from the speakers too.

I'm undecided...to me they both sound great...thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance

I really enjoy the sound of the scale sound speaker. Just by video quality sounded like the athearn Saul cube was higher pitched. Definitely helped I got a bunch of dcc / sound conversions so I think I found the speaker company I’ll use

I have a pair of older Athearn RTR SD40-2s with Tsunami 1s and the Scale Sound Systems speakers made a huge difference...Really brought out the deep sounds that just weren't there with the oval type speakers that I was using.

They do both sound really good, I pre-ordered about 15 of the Athearn dual sugar cube speakers about a month ago. I'm just waiting for them lol.

Thanks for sharing great Comparison of the two speakers

That's a great way to do a comparison. So many others are disjointed. You just get to it. This could be a regular feature. I agree with your analysis, and I prefer throatier sounds. It's very difficult to get that low bass rumble from a speaker that fits in an HO model being driven by a 2 watt amp. I don't think the Ecos have the equalizer, which can adjust a speakers sound quality. Not sure. I say consist them together for the perfect combined sound! 👌

Great job comparing these speakers in just getting started in the hobby and I have an NS GP15 1446 engine with some cars but I’ve been waiting for the controller since Christmas

Definitely more deeper crisper sound from the scale sound systems. You can actually here the difference in the different sounds coming out at once. Athearns seems more muddled.

Awesome video and needed. I think the Scale Sound Systems speaker is more clearer than the Athearn one. Especially the prime mover. The Athearn dual sugar cube speaker is still good also. Seeing this video and other folks trying out these speakers makes me want to upgrade many of the older sound locomotives in my fleet that have the Soundtraxx tsunami I decoders and/or stock speakers in them still.

Very well arranged video. The only suggestion I have for future videos that would help noobs like me is if the name of the sound comes up on the screen as you change them from one to the next. Bell & horn are obvious, but some of the other aren't as much. Thanks for the excellent video!

I agree totally with you. I think the Athearn is a little too high pitched but the scale sound may seem just a tad bit muffled. Both are great though. It would be awesome if they could merge them together! Great video!

Very interesting.

I like the Athearn better. Thanks, Russ from Oregon

One quick way to mess with the sound is to change CV225 (assuming a Tsu2 decoder). Try setting the CV to 2 or 3. 2 is for a 'small' speaker, 3 is for a medium speaker. It just adjusts some of the cut-offs at certain frequencies, which means it should make it sound clearer as it cuts some of the distortion from the low frequencies.

Seems like the Scale Sound Systems speaker has a slightly bass response, but as you say, they both sound pretty good. Good head-t0-head. Thanks Deryk.

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Good comparison! I've been a sucker for Scale Sound lately, there's no comparison when used on a GE or non turbo EMD! The Athearn or Bowser dual cubes work great for turbo, since you're hearing less bass compared to the whine, and are still really clear.

Both sounds remarkable! Although I favor the Scale Sound Systems speakers 🔊, has a bit more of an outward sound!

I favor Turbo 645 primer mover a passion I’m big GP40-2’s from being around them working pulling cuts out then pulling cuts backwards to make up trains. The sound of 645 is dead on but the reverberation is one to copy digitally.

Sounds great the Athearn speaker does sound great

In the process of changing all my loksound speakers out now for athearn. Then you post this🤨 Still love the athearns though..

I got my best results with any 13x18 mm that ranges as low as 300hz to as high as 20khz

Lot more base on 8019, little mor tinny sound the 8040. Had head phones on so could really hear differences. Nice comparison. Of course sound is also subjective and depends what you can hear and like.

Did you change CV 225 (speaker size selection) before doing this test? If you change CV225 to a value of 1 it makes a big difference to any speaker installed.

What is the watt rating on the scale sound speakers?

My Vote: Scale Sound Sytems. Much deeper prime mover rumble.

Is the impedance the same for both speakers?

1 vote for Athearn

They both sound good, one's got a bit more bass. Bob

The stock speakers aren't bad but the Scale Sound Systems definitely sound much more realistic. They create a heavier bass sound. Someone else made a comparison video like this as well. I wonder how these would sound in the Athearn Genesis reefer. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oKqorZCf29vQmKs.html

Once you try one you will never go back

Athearn has a high pitch

I like Athearn Better. Just my Opinion..............................

Can t hear any difference