Model Railroading > Athearn Genesis GP9 Upgrades

I received a couple Scale Sound Systems speakers meant for Athearn Genesis GP9's this past Monday. So I'm upgrading the two factory sound units that I've had for many years. Already finished the SP GP9E, now doing BN 1774. Units are getting my home made capacitor packs as well. Just had to hack off part of the weight that sticks up in the short hood.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/24 00:02 by funnelfan.

---

Did you record a before / after sound comparison? TIA, Ed

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

calsubd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Did you record a before / after sound comparison?
Unfortunately no. The Scale Sound System speakers have a much deeper and fuller sound than the stock Athearn speakers. It's quite the difference and a fairly simple install if you have soldering skills. I might get around to doing a install on my Athearn BN GP50 or GP38-2 before long and will try to make recordings of the before and after. Meanwhile I need to solder up more of my capacitor packs for future installs.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Thanks Ted

Ed Stewart
Jacksonville, FL

Scale Sound System has numerous videos on YT with before and after comparisons, also installation photos and adhesive suggestions. They have numerous speakers so some projects sound better than others. Their idea is to design an enclosure to improve the sound, just like back in the old school stereo speaker days. After the first install I was hooked, that was a P2K U28B set.

For me it's a pretty obvious upgrade. The two speaker install for SD9's sounds really good. SW1500 install is jaw dropping, vary comprehensive video on that too. Really pushes the focus onto getting the right sound file, just another aspect of the hobby I suppose.

https://www.scalesoundsystems.com/

Sound Systems demos on YT link from home page:

https://www.youtube.com/Musepro7



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/24 08:53 by TCnR.

Where did you find/make the current keeper connections?
I have found that  the (-) ground wire can be hard to get to on many sound boards.
(I presume the (+) blue wire goes to the (+) common return for the light functions.
Any advice?
TIA

railstiesballast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Where did you find/make the current keeper
> connections?
> I have found that  the (-) ground wire can be
> hard to get to on many sound boards.
> (I presume the (+) blue wire goes to the (+)
> common return for the light functions.
> Any advice?
> TIA

In this case, I just tore open the current keeper plug on the decoder and wired directly to the prongs inside the plug. When looking into the mouth of the plug from the near end of the decoder board, the blue wire (+) went to the prong on the left and the black wire (-) went to the prong on the right.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/24 19:39 by funnelfan.

Another thing to like about SSS speakers is he allows for wire routing in the design. Super convenient.

Thank you for the answer on the current keeper.