N Scale Speaker Comparison (Video)

[jdcolombo]

Hi folks.

I did a comparison of the Knowles Dumbo speaker in various configurations plus a 16 x 30mm oval in a sealed enclosure.  Video here:

Not a valid youtube URL
The video should be self-explanatory, but for the record, the first segment is the Dumbo without a sealed enclosure (I built the sides, but left the back off); the second is a sealed enclosure that is 6mm deep, leaving an air chamber of 1.5mm behind the speaker; the third is a sealed enclosure where I built the enclosure 25mm wide, and offset the speaker to one side.  This gives a much larger air chamber, and I think you will see it significantly improves the sound.  The final segment is a 16 x 30mm oval in a sealed enclosure that is 8mm deep.  My own view is that the Dumbo with the expanded air chamber is the best sounding of all, and even with the expanded enclosure, the overall dimensions are 15mm wide X 27mm long by 6.5mm high.  Both enclosures are made mostly from .040 styrene; the "enlarged" enclosure uses 1/32 lead sheet (instead of styrene) for a bottom and the same lead sheet to seal off the top side of the enclosure (I did this to keep the overall depth down).  But even the Dumbo with the smallest enclosure just surrounding the speaker with 6mm depth (overall depth is a bit over 7.5mm because the .040 base of the enclosure adds a bit under another 1.5 mm) sounds pretty good.

The speakers are driven by a completely stock Tsunami TSU-750 heavy steam with all factory defaults - I haven't played around with any of the sound levels or the EQ.

The Dumbo will almost certainly by my sound speaker of choice for future installs; I'll be putting them in my EM-1s, but my design probably will still require removing the circuit board because of the overall depth.

John C.

[jdcolombo]

Video access fixed (it was set to "private" - now public, so you should be able to view it).

John C.

[Cajonpassfan]

Awesome John, thanks very much! My a Dumboes are in the way....if that how it's spelt 
Otto K.

[robert3985]

I echo Otto's kudos!  I'll be using the Dumbos where they'll fit...10 Challengers and Big Boys, several USRA "Sweeney-stacked" Mikes and several brass FEF's....Nothing like a little documentation to show how it really is, eh?

Well done

[rogergperkins]

Fearing a rush on the speakers, I ordered extra, just in case I find the person to do the installation in my 2 EM-1s.

[chicken45]

OH. MY. GOD IT'S MOVING TOWARDS ME AAAHHHHHHHHH

[Allegheny]

John
My Walthers (LifeLike) N&W Y3Bs (N-Scale) have two factory installed speakers (round).  They give a good sound even at shows with the noise of people and larger scale layouts.  Do you think a single Dumbo speaker (w/extended enclosure) would be as good?  Would two Dumbo speakers be better (if room in tender was available)?
Please advise.
Thom

[jdcolombo]

Hi Thom.

One Dumbo will vastly outperform the 15mm rounds in the Y-3 as long as you use a sealed enclosure around the speaker.  Two should give you even better performance, but probably is unncecessary.  I've turned the volume down on my EM-1's to about 20% of maximum, and still think they are a bit loud (home layout, though - you might want more volume in an N-Trak setting).

John C.

[Allegheny]

John
Thanks for the feedback.  I just moved and I'm still unpacking.  All my locomotive and rolling stock are in boxes so you'll understand my next question.
Will your extended speaker fit in a Bachmann Vandy tender (H4 or H6)?  I can't measure the Vandy interior just now.
Thanks.
Thom

[jdcolombo]

John
Thanks for the feedback.  I just moved and I'm still unpacking.  All my locomotive and rolling stock are in boxes so you'll understand my next question.
Will your extended speaker fit in a Bachmann Vandy tender (H4 or H6)?  I can't measure the Vandy interior just now.
Thanks.
Thom

This one I can't answer - don't have any Vandy tenders.

John

[jdcolombo]

Video of my EM-1 with Tsunami Heavy Steam and Knowles Dumbo.  This sounds even better in person.

Not a valid youtube URL
John C.

[SkipGear]

It sounds good but you have to pick a better whistle.....

[jdcolombo]

It sounds good but you have to pick a better whistle.....

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None of the TSU heavy steam whistles are exactly like what I've heard on videos of the real EM-1's, but yes, I can at least get closer with one of the more "steamboat"-y whistles.  Picked this one for the video mostly because it highlights the sound quality of the speaker, which I think is pretty darn good.

John C.

[carlso]

John - thanks for the vids. Sounds are great. Do you know of anyone that has tried an ESU Loksound Select Micro with Big Boy noises?

Carl

[jdcolombo]

John - thanks for the vids. Sounds are great. Do you know of anyone that has tried an ESU Loksound Select Micro with Big Boy noises?

Carl

Nope.

Would like to one, but I don't really need another sound decoder for my Big Boy, and the other steamer sound files aren't relevant to any of my models.  If they do a file for an NKP Berkshire or a USRA Mikado, I'll probably get one to try.  I didn't really consider using the BigBoy sound file for the EM-1.  Guess that would have been possible.

John C.