Question about ESU Loksound volume

[Vaderta]

So quick question.  I put V5 micro decoders into two Kato F units. The installs and sound files, decoders along with the speakers used were identical. One F unit is much louder than the other. CVs for volume both set at 192. Only difference is one speaker I peeled the foam adhesive off bottom of the sugar cube speaker and super glued it together.  The one super glued is the locomotive that is much quieter. The other sugar cube I left the foam adhesive in place and it is much louder. Don't know if it is a speaker difference or if the decoders one amplifier is stronger than the other. Just curious if anyone has run across this and if there is a way to remedy the lack of volume in the quieter locomotive. Neither speaker has baffles. Just the speaker and the bottom attached due to lack of room. Thanks for any input.

[tehachapifan]

If I understand it correctly, the foam adhesive, presumably having some amount of thickness to it, probably created a larger enclosure (or any enclosure) than existed without it. For robust sound quality, one side of the speaker must be attached to an airtight enclosure and, if done correctly, will also result in more volume.

My guess is the foam adhesive, while probably not completely air-tight, formed a somewhat functional enclosure between the speaker and the loco's shell. Also, depending on the design profile of the speaker you removed the foam from and in what orientation you glued to the shell, there is a possibility that the speaker's diaphragm is pressed against the shell and can't vibrate correctly (or some glue migrated onto the diaphragm, etc.).

[Vaderta]

If I understand it correctly, the foam adhesive, presumably having some amount of thickness to it, probably created a larger enclosure (or any enclosure) than existed without it. For robust sound quality, one side of the speaker must be attached to an airtight enclosure and, if done correctly, will also result in more volume.

My guess is the foam adhesive, while probably not completely air-tight, formed a somewhat functional enclosure between the speaker and the loco's shell. Also, depending on the design profile of the speaker you removed the foam from and in what orientation you glued to the shell, there is a possibility that the speaker's diaphragm is pressed against the shell and can't vibrate correctly (or some glue migrated onto the diaphragm, etc.).

That is a possibility. The speaker I took the foam off of I did it because everyone always tells me to use super glue to make it air tight. But it does shave a little height off the speaker. Maybe that height difference although small is impeding the speaker from functioning properly. I guess I can get a new sugar cube and put it in to see if it makes a difference . The difference now is dramatic, so if that is the issue that would be great as it is a cheap remedy.

[peteski]

The adhesive foam surrounding the speaker frame is a closed-cell foam (air-tight), so it is designed to tightly adhere the speaker to the enclosure.

[Vaderta]

The adhesive foam surrounding the speaker frame is a closed-cell foam (air-tight), so it is designed to tightly adhere the speaker to the enclosure.

Thanks Pete, I did not know that. I guess that I won't be super gluing the bottoms on the speakers anymore

[Vaderta]

I must have messed the speaker up when I glued it or it was defective.  Just replaced it with a new one with the foam adhesive and the sound was great and matched my other locomotive in volume. Relieved it was a cheap fix and not something wrong with the decoder. Appreciate everyone that helped me figure out the issue.

[peteski]

Unless the speaker leads get accidentally shorted, I have never seen a failed audio amp on ESU decoder.  Even if the audio amp (well, the decoder) was defective, ESU has a very good exchange/repair policy.

[GGNInNScale]

Unless the speaker leads get accidentally shorted, I have never seen a failed audio amp on ESU decoder.  Even if the audio amp (well, the decoder) was defective, ESU has a very good exchange/repair policy.

   I have had two fail for sound out of about 40 total.  1 was DOA, the other became garbled after a couple months, and reloading the entire software package did not fix it.  However, the ESU guys in PA replaced them both without issue.