Here's a short video sound and speed step check of the Sunset E7. The DCC system is Lenz; no adjustments have been made to the decoder or the DCC system. First 2 minutes are the start-up sequence and engine idle sounds then notching through speed steps 1-5.
Here are my observations.
- The engine sound is the best that I've heard (I'm sure that the Soundtraxx advocates will be all over this one). The sounds are clear and without echo. Could use a little more low end though.
- As it comes from the factory, the volume is too high for my taste. That can be fixed.
- Movement is barely perceptible at speed step 1 - that's good.
- As it comes from the factory, the momentum is too high for my taste. That can be adjusted too.
- Motor noise at speed step 21 is noticeable and intrudes on the sound system. Speed step 21 is about as fast as I could ever conceive of running this loco on my layout.
- My unit's headlight is brighter in reverse than in forward??? Maybe the factory reversed the headlight and backup light???
- I forgot to record the horn and bell on the video. The horn is clear, but thin sounding. The bell is low, muddy and not acceptable. The latter does not bother me as I will use it very little. It can probably be reprogrammed too.
All in all, I'm pleased with this loco and will buy another.