Catback Volume Comparisons

[ripto]

Since it's nearly impossible to really gauge exhaust loudness through videos, especially when trying to compare different exhausts from different peoples' videos, I'm looking to see if anyone has any first hand real life input as to how these systems may compare to each other, like loudest to quietest. I put them in the order I think is accurate, with the bottom three all being roughly the same, but again, I'm just going by my judgment based on videos. Trying to pull the trigger on one. I want something I can always hear, but cold starts are my biggest concern.

Solo Performance Mach Thunder
Stainless Works Retro w/ H Pipe (2.5")
Solo Performance Mach XV
ARH Pure Thunder
Krona / Thermal R&D

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[3star2nr]

Since it's nearly impossible to really gauge exhaust loudness through videos, especially when trying to compare different exhausts from different peoples' videos, I'm looking to see if anyone has any first hand real life input as to how these systems may compare to each other, like loudest to quietest. I put them in the order I think is accurate, with the bottom three all being roughly the same, but again, I'm just going by my judgment based on videos. Trying to pull the trigger on one. I want something I can always hear, but cold starts are my biggest concern.

Solo Performance Mach Thunder
Stainless Works Retro w/ H Pipe (2.5")
Solo Performance Mach XV
ARH Pure Thunder
Krona / Thermal R&D

Its All subjective... Just buy the one that sounds the best to u and forget about it...

If it's too loud most companies can sell u silencers to cut the volume. Then you can drill holes in the silencer to "tune" it.

 

[ripto]

Its All subjective... Just buy the one that sounds the best to u and forget about it...

If it's too loud most companies can sell u silencers to cut the volume. Then you can drill holes in the silencer to "tune" it.

That's interesting, I didn't know companies did that. Drawback would probably be sure the cold start is tolerable now but I can't hear it the other 99% of the time.

 

[BmacIL]

Since it's nearly impossible to really gauge exhaust loudness through videos, especially when trying to compare different exhausts from different peoples' videos, I'm looking to see if anyone has any first hand real life input as to how these systems may compare to each other, like loudest to quietest. I put them in the order I think is accurate, with the bottom three all being roughly the same, but again, I'm just going by my judgment based on videos. Trying to pull the trigger on one. I want something I can always hear, but cold starts are my biggest concern.

Solo Performance Mach Thunder
Stainless Works Retro w/ H Pipe (2.5")
Solo Performance Mach XV
ARH Pure Thunder
Krona / Thermal R&D

Mach XV and ARH are by far the quietest of those. The ARH I believe is the quieter of the two.

 

[green97probe]

Since it's nearly impossible to really gauge exhaust loudness through videos, especially when trying to compare different exhausts from different peoples' videos, I'm looking to see if anyone has any first hand real life input as to how these systems may compare to each other, like loudest to quietest. I put them in the order I think is accurate, with the bottom three all being roughly the same, but again, I'm just going by my judgment based on videos. Trying to pull the trigger on one. I want something I can always hear, but cold starts are my biggest concern.

Solo Performance Mach Thunder
Stainless Works Retro w/ H Pipe (2.5")
Solo Performance Mach XV
ARH Pure Thunder
Krona / Thermal R&D

Have you considered the AWE Touring? I've heard it in person, and it is a nice improvement from stock without being too much

That said, I've got a Borla S Type catback waiting for me on my next day off.

 

[ripto]

Have you considered the AWE Touring? I've heard it in person, and it is a nice improvement from stock without being too much

That said, I've got a Borla S Type catback waiting for me on my next day off.

I did look at AWE but dismissed it for some reason. Maybe I'll revisit it again. But I think that would also fit in that lower group of relatively the same volume catbacks.

 

[ripto]

Mach XV and ARH are by far the quietest of those. The ARH I believe is the quieter of the two.

Is that from personal experience?

 

[BmacIL]

Is that from personal experience?

I've heard the Mach XV in person and a friend who's heard both says the ARH is quieter and more refined. Mach XV is comparable to the S type for volume. No drone per se when adjusted, but it's boomy and deep inside the car.

 

[ripto]

I've heard the Mach XV in person and a friend who's heard both says the ARH is quieter and more refined. Mach XV is comparable to the S type for volume. No drone per se when adjusted, but it's boomy and deep inside the car.

The Mach XV is my front runner (at least for today). My concern is still early morning cold starts but from what I can gather online it seems liveable. Do you hear a cold start in person? Was it annoyingly boomy and deep inside?

The ARH sounds good but it sounds like you really need to get on it to hear it, I'd prefer to always hear it. I'd be worried its too quiet.

 

[ChiTownStang26]

@ripto

I have the ARH and it will definitely be the quieter of them. 0 drone and still screams at WOT but would be drowned out by a corsa xtreme if one was next to you.

 

[ripto]

@ripto

I have the ARH and it will definitely be the quieter of them. 0 drone and still screams at WOT but would be drowned out by a corsa xtreme if one was next to you.

Thanks for chiming in. Would you say the ARH is noticeably louder (not saying loud, but noticeably more audible) than stock at idle and normal cruising? I'd really like to be able to hear the exhaust without having to really get aggressive with my driving. I normally am pretty tame and shift around 3K or so at maybe 40% throttle.

 

[Commbubba19]

Before installing my Solo Cyclone catback (which is nuts btw and far louder than anything else they have) i ran a CJPP resonated x pipe (plug n play) with the Solo axle back muffler delete.

This setup is even quieter than the Mach XV kit they offer. Cold start was very reasonable not 'loud' at all. However, my Cyclone catback is nuts on cold start.

my old setup is for sale if interested. I have new chrome tips to go with it. it's complete bolt on.

 

[ChiTownStang26]

@ripto

Sound is subjective so I'll do my best.

Idle is barely louder than stock outside but can hear it well in a garage. It's quiet inside the cabin when cruising and shifting at 3k but everyone else can hear a nice light deep growl. Its noticeably louder than stock but not obnoxious. But when you do get on it, it does scream. Like I said before it would be drowned out by a corsa if one was next to you throughout the entire powerband.

I like it for the fact I leave for work at 430am in the city and its tame enough for me to scoot out of my neighborhood without being an asshole. I can have fun on empty highways and backroads without every cop in a 2 mile radius hearing me. Long road trips and cruising at 80mph on the highway isn't jarring.

If this was a weekend only car I'd have corsa's with LTs on it.

 

[ripto]

I am still racking my brain over this. At this rate, my car will be bone stock forever. It's already been 15 months of ownership, but about 4 of exhaust research.

My leading contenders right now are:
Solo Mach XV
ARH Pure Thunder w/ H
Slightly behind is Krona (don't think it sounds quite as good as ARH)
Slightly behind that and I think basically off my list is Stainless Works Retro w/ H (supposed drone and might be too loud)

I think the ARH sounds the most old school on cold starts:


And it sounds good accelerating and on drive bys:




But I'm wondering how much this guy is pushing the car for us to hear it (first 3 links are the same guy). I know this system is 2.5" so it's probably the quietest, I'm just wondering how quiet is it really, relatively speaking.

Sounds like it could be pretty (too) quiet on the interior?


The Solo Mach XV sounds good on revs:




It sounds DEEP but the X design muffler is really throwing me for a loop (vs a traditional H pipe). It is a different kind of deep that I sort of like but at the same time I like that old school deep.

But I don't know if I'm completely in love with it on accelerating:


Nor cold starts:


It has a weird fluttery sound on cold starts and idle that I'm confused about. The ARH doesn't seem to have that. It's just deep.


I've been looking at so many now I'd have to go back but I believe both of these systems are supposed to be drone free so that is good.

The Solo runs about $950 while the ARH runs about $1400.

Cold starts are my biggest fear. Sounds like the ARH could be doable, not sure about the Mach XV?

Uggghhhhhh...

 

[ChiTownStang26]

At the end of the day your going to have to make up your own mind. Here's the video that sold me on my exhaust... one more video wont hurt lmao

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