BLI E-8s: How is the sound

[PAL_Houston]

There's been some discussion, but not much, about Broadway Limited E-8s.  I am curious about 3 things, and would appreciate hearing your experience with these:

1.  How is the sound?  I don't have a whole lot of experience with N-scale DCC/sound, pretty much limited to the MRC drop-in for C-Liners.  I was not impressed with those, as they sounded kind of high-pitched and tinny, rather than deep-throated and loud.  So  how are BLI E-8s in that regard?

2. How are they for pulling power, compared to a Kato E-8, or a Lifelike E-8?  My PCM E-5's never could pull anywhere close to either, so how are the BLI E-8s?

3.  And some of you have had these for a couple of years now, so how reliable are they?  There was some talk awhile back that you could get "duds" along with good ones.  Are there some tune-up tips for these?

[Hyperion]

I can't speak for how they operate, but they sound amazing.

Are they gonna shake the earth with realistic bass?  No, of course not.  But they converted me from someone who thought that there was no way that N-scale sound could be good (based off MRC units), to someone who a believer that N scale sound belongs on any future layout of mine (at least in moderation).  They sound really, really good.

The couple that I have sound beautifully and operate impeccably at slow speeds on a little test track.

[SkipGear]

They can be a little more picky about track cleanlyness. As far as pulling power, I've never been able to stop them. They come with TT and are fairly heavy so I think you would stall the motor before they slip on the rails. All my PCI/BLI E units perform about the same. The first gen PCM E7's were a little more picky about ditry track but other than that, seem to work and pull the same as any other production batch. I have E6's, 7's, and 8's. They all run and sound very good. Just never mind the farm or sawmill noises that they can be programed to play.

[wmcbride]

I have PA/PB and E8s from the first run several years ago. I have replaced the traction tires on each unit with non-traction wheelsets from BLI. That improved the reliability a tremendous amount. (See John Sing's link on the other recent BLI thread on how to do it).

As to the sound: I think it's great. My personal experience is with HO using Tsunami and LokSound and MTH PS3. I think the BLI sound is very realistic. The bell and whistle and engine sounds are great. I think one thing that underscores this, is that when the engine(s) are down the layout, say 7-10 feet, it sounds like a train at a distance.

I especially like the PA sounds and just put one on a train last night to enjoy the sound.

I would buy more but have no need for additional units. I wish they would add a modern diesel to their line-up.

I don't think you would be sorry if you bought one.

[PAL_Houston]

I have PA/PB and E8s from the first run several years ago. I have replaced the traction tires on each unit with non-traction wheelsets from BLI. That improved the reliability a tremendous amount. (See John Sing's link on the other recent BLI thread on how to do it).

As to the sound: I think it's great. My personal experience is with HO using Tsunami and LokSound and MTH PS3. I think the BLI sound is very realistic. The bell and whistle and engine sounds are great. I think one thing that underscores this, is that when the engine(s) are down the layout, say 7-10 feet, it sounds like a train at a distance.

I especially like the PA sounds and just put one on a train last night to enjoy the sound.

I would buy more but have no need for additional units. I wish they would add a modern diesel to their line-up.

I don't think you would be sorry if you bought one.

Thanks for the comments so far, gents.   

Question #4:  so if I bought 2, how easy would it be to speed match with Kato E-8s?
(I'd also think about speed-matching with LifeLike E-8s with Digitrax decoders, but I'm fairly sure the differences in detailing would be too apparent....)

[SkipGear]

Thanks for the comments so far, gents.   

Question #4:  so if I bought 2, how easy would it be to speed match with Kato E-8s?
(I'd also think about speed-matching with LifeLike E-8s with Digitrax decoders, but I'm fairly sure the differences in detailing would be too apparent....)

Speed matching with anything can be a chore. The sound decoders will delay movement while the engine sounds ramp up. It can be done but plan on quite a high Accel and Decel rate to keep the loco's from fighting each other durring start up and slow down.

[OldEastRR]

I bought an E7, the first loco they came out with waaaaay back then. It has two speakers, which make for a decent sound. Also I like to adjust the sound to what it would be from a real loco if I saw it in the distance so it looked the size of an N scale one. I have never put the volume at maximum on any of the sound locos I have. Then if you want to hear it louder, you gotta get real close to it as it goes by, like in real life.
A bonus I discovered about my BLI E7 was the rear chassis did not obstruct the line of sight through the rear portholes -- you could see right through the loco. I don't know if the prototype was like that.

[peteski]

Here is my quick and dirty observation:  I recently ordered the BLI E8 and Bachmann DDA40X with sound.  When they arrived, I have them a quick test on a piece of test track (I simply powered them up from my variable DC power supply).

Going by sound volume alone, both sounded ok.   But as far as the sound fidelity goes, the E8 unit sounded ok. But the Bachmann (with Tsunami sound) sounded incredible. The engine startup sequence (both engines start separately), and the sound of the diesel engine sounded so much clearer and more realistic than the E8 sound.  But this was a brief test - first impression.  I might like the BLI unit better after running it and learning all the features and tweaks.  But on the first impression (in DC mode), the Bachmann unit was amazing!

[Bob Bufkin]

I have the E-7 and E=8 and they at least have the EMD sound.  Also have their PA and it sounds like an Alco. 

[Cajonpassfan]

In my opinion, there are two completely separate considerations driving sound in N Scale: sound generation, and sound reproduction. I have a number of BLI locos, E 6, 7, and PA's, and my personal observation is that the decoders themselves are capable of producing an amazing variety of sounds, on par with the best sound decoders out there.
The dual speaker baffleless sound reproduction is in my opinion just adequate; I get better, deeper sound, with custom made enclosures or commercial enclosures available with certain speakers. The powered BLI units don't lend themselves to easy modification. The dummy B's on the other hand provide an opportunity to add larger speakers with enclosures to get more "rumble" out of the decoders.
I have more PA's on order which I plan to run in ABA configuration and I think I'll try to supplement the factory sound with an additional baffled speaker.
Otto K.

[R.Groff]

I have an E8 A and B unit BLI both with sound. I run 13 kato pasanger cars and the units pull and sound good. The  units do not like dirty track .
Rick