PS2 or PS3 speaker amplifier

I haven't tried them yet, but I picked up a few of these, and they look like they'll do the trick.

3W Stereo Amplifier Board

Compared to my proto engines, my PS3 ain't close to the volume of my Proto engines.

I don't think that 3 watt amp will do much as the PS2 audio amp is rated 3 watts into 4 ohms....Then again I may be wrong 

If you have room try a better speaker first. I just put one these in 5V PS2 engine and now have to turn the volume down.

http://www.xump.com/Science/Mi...aker-2inch-4Ohms.cfm

Pete

I'd probably try Pete's suggestion first, a higher efficiency speaker would help.  Also, a proper baffle for the speaker will do wonders for the sound level and quality.

If you want to stay within the form-factor of the engine I think you can get maybe a 6 dB gain whether it be in bass response or volume.  But if you want your socks blown off, send the audio to an external speaker whether mounted in a trailing car/dummy engine or wirelessly to a home theater system.  See this thread:

https://ogrforum.com/t...d-at-loco-is-working

I tried it myself and while not what you're asking, it is an amazing effect...and at least proves out the concept that the out-of-box speaker signal can be enhanced.

  I run a FM wireless transmitter of my ps3 speaker and play it through a powered subwoofer which plays only the low frequencies while the host loco still maintains normal sounds out its 2 inch speaker and it sounds incredible...changes the whole running my trains experience.

Dave,

I'd like to understand your idea.  Are you saying using Bluetooth to eliminate the tether (e.g., 10-pin cable) between engine-and-tender?  Or using Bluetooth to transmit just the audio in which case I'm not clear on if you mean from engine to another engine (maybe a dummy diesel)?

There's no question the bandwidth in Bluetooth would be adequate as there are home-theater-audio quality wireless/remote speakers using these adapters.  And the cost has gotten so ridiculously cheap that we're talking a few bucks for a link.

Pete, I thought that the 5V PS2 stock speaker was a 16 ohm .25W one. So are you using a 4 OHM speaker in place of the 16 OHM? Is the audio amp capable of driving  a 4 OHM speaker without damaging it (i.e. the board) in the 5v PS2 system?

thanks,

Mack

You're overworking the amp on the 5V board with that speaker.

You know John, I just noticed on another thread the mention of 16 ohm speakers with 5V systems. I wasn't aware of the requirements for each PS2 version but simply measured what was already in the engine and found a 4 ohm speaker in the tender. It didn't appear that this had been a replacement.

Maybe this is why the volume I am getting is so much higher than what I am used to with MTH?

I will have go back and check this out.

Pete

Well, the 5V PS/2 certainly specifies a 16 ohm speaker.  I have no idea what the implications of overloading the amplifier are, but I know the anp is a common failure item.

Here's the Datasheet for the TDA7056A Amplifier, it's rated to handle 8 ohm outputs, which is interesting.  It is supposed to be short-circuit protected, so maybe it's not the risk I think it is.  I know if either speaker lead shorts to frame ground, the amplifier is usually history!

I've heard that the 5V board audio amp was rated at 5 watts...and now I believe it!

Be interesting to see just what kind of power it is pushing into a 4 ohm load 

I don't doubt it's louder than a 3V board as that has a 3 watt audio amp.

Enclosures are the ticket for sound...then again you can't beat power! 

If you don't have power, the enclosure can do a lot for the volume.  The enclosure will also do something that power can't do, improve the bass quality of the sound.

A lot of discoveries are made by mistakes or accident. I will swap out the 4 ohm driver as the collective wisdom says it will blow the amp but I have to say I have not heard a better sounding MTH engine whether it be PS 1, 2 or 3. Its the first MTH steam engine that has a decent deep chuff comparable to most TMCC engines equiped with single fatboy speakers.

For the record this is a 20-3047 NYC Niagara from 2001, not the latest technology by any means.

BTW I did not add a small enclosure but rather the body has been sealed using felt to the frame.

Pete

I'm thinking 2 of those 4 ohm speakers in series should thump nicely, IF you can fit them in there.  But ya, one in a 5V system sounds like a good way to toast the amp.

Many times folks put the wrong speaker in the engines.  G

One of the best speakers I have in a steamer tender is the one you used to get from digital dynamics.   His standard speaker and not the more expensive.  I wish I would have gotten more when he was still open for business.  I has great sound and will play loud, very loud like 90 db at a 5 foot distance on a radio shack vu meter.