MRC Sound system

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have been looking at the MRC sound system. Are they any good? Are they a gimmick? My son wants one but I’m not sure about them. Any advice?

Thanks

2

I’d got with Soundtraxx sound decoders. May be more expensive than MRC, but the sound is by far superior.

3

you mean the decoder or the speakers with control pad and all the sounds? I had the latter for abou 10 minutes, I thought the sounds were ‘cheesey’ and put it up for sale on Ebay and sold it easily. I like the MRC decoders however.

4

I don’t care what anyone says…I’m a big kid (56 years old) and I get a kick out of using the MRC sound system, usually when I have guests who want to see the layout. For $55.00, your son will enjoy using the key pad and creating all the different sounds plus you can have the clickety-clack of the wheels on the rails while you’re blowing the whistle or hitting the horn.

Yes, the more expensive sound systems are better but this one is a good start.
Hope this helps.
Mondo

5

Depending on the age of your son the MRC sound will probably be fine.

Only drawback is it’s STATIONARY while what it is simulating is MOVING.

6

Thanks for the replies.

That is what I was thinking when I made the post. But the others are right. He is 9 and will just be happy to be making noise.

7

They’re not cheap, but I bought a Broadway Limited SD40-2 and a side-kick, which activates the horn and bell, and I can’t keep my nephews off of it when they come over. I’ve owned the MRC sound system for about a year now, but there’s nothing like having the sound come from the engine itself.

8

I use two MRC Sound Station 312’s - one at either end of my layout - and the sounds replicate what I am looking for.

I have installed them beneath the board - pretty much centered at the ends of my double track main lines. The sounds also “work” for my mountain run, which is about a 35 ft point-to-point in the middle of the layout. I’m happy with them.

Since all of my loco’s are diesels, I particularly appreciate having the two different diesel horn sounds - makes for more realism when running two in opposite directions.

I also have a SoundBloxx City Train Station module installed in my Union Station (Cornerstone kit). This is a QSI Industries item and makes for pretty interesting “city” and “train station” sounds.

My city and passenger station/sidings are set aside from the main layout - so the sounds do not interfere at all.

Hope this helps.