A bit 'left field' for me this one but I cannot resist trying out something new in pursuit of high fidelity sound in HO scale model railroading. Hopefully my experiences which will help you with the choices you make.
To be frank, I am not too happy with how this installation turned out.
I fitted a TCS WOWsound DCC sound decoder kit (ref. WDK-INT-1) to this Intermountain U18B and a twin speaker set up using a ESU Loksound 50341 kit.
The WOWsound kit comes with a DCC sound deocder, replacement motherboard and a speaker. The ESU speaker is so much better and at least gives the TCS sound files a bit of a chance to show what they can do. It doesn't help that there is so little space in the loco. I previously had a Bowser 691-1291 twin sugar cube speaker in this loco and to my ears this delivered the best all round sound. No where near the low frequency response of a Scale Sound Systems speaker but considering its size it at least had some bass... The ESU Loksound speaker has a very clean sound with quite good high frequency representation but it can soon get ragged at even modest volume levels. Bass is barely audible too. No idea what happened to my Bowser 691-1291 Speaker but I wish I had it in this loco!
As for the WOWsound decoder, here is my take:
Pro's
1. Superb slow speed running.
2. Very easy to set up.
3. Good range of functions.
4. A good range of prime movers (sorry, but I am not sure which one I selected for this loco), horns, bells, etc. to choose from.
5. Prime mover responds well to throttle input.
6. Motherboard fits really well.
7. Keep alive is fantastic!!!!
Con's
1. Variable quality sound files. Sorry, but the GE prime movers sound rubbish to me.
2. Barely audible sound when the prime mover is idling.
3. My kit was sold as being suitable for a U18B but none of the decoder's prime movers are specific for this loco and its distinctive 8 cylinder engine. The Loksound sound file for this loco was recorded from a U18B although, as usual, the sound file has a poor low frequency response.
See what you think. I am sticking to Soundtraxx Tsunami 2's.

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