I've heard that once you run a test pipe drone is reduced substantially and it helps produce a higher pitched sound. This is because unlike the cat, exhaust gas flows quicker and easier thru a test pipe so there's no "hold up" in that mid section immediately after the header where a bass-y drone can emanate from.

 

Stock cat, high flow cat, or test pipe will all influence the noise level and rasp. I've not run the N1 as my Q300 behind a high flow cat droned painfully and needed hearing protection inside the car. Something on the order of 105 to 110 dBA as I recall (notes are elsewhere and quoted in earlier messages). If your employer subjected you to this noise he'd be require to furnish double hearing protection. The N1 is known to be louder. OE noise level is on the order of 90 dBA. Note the dBA rating is logarithmic, not linear. "Just a couple" of dBA is twice as loud.

Don't get me wrong, all the stanced Civic guys at the high school loved my Q300. Your noise tolerance (and those of your neighbors) will vary.

Buy what you want but listen to the exhaust on someone's car first. Or buy a used system to avoid the loss if (when) you tire of it. My "quieter" Q300 was on my car maybe 3 weeks. On-line sound clips are useless as (1) the mic recording them clips the sound levels and (2) even if there's an accurate recording your PC speakers can't reproduce it.

-- Chuck

 

I do recall you giving me feedback on my HKS vs Invidia thread a while back. I am used to a free flow performance exhaust on my daily driven 4AFE Corolla but that is only 57mm single exit and is obviously not in the same league as the S2K and it's exhausts. There will be a large volume difference but hey, I say bring it on because that's what I want I want volume, QUALITY (of sound and the system itself) and presence. Not necessarily looking for north of 105db N1 all out sound but something similar (not difficult to bear in car though). Seen so many vids on the Tube but you're right, it just doesn't do it justice. I've also been leaning more toward dual exit for the looks but would still ultimately prefer a single for higher performance. How much higher performance would an HKS 75mm single give compared to a Q300 or N1 dual 70mm? Remains to be seen. I've also considered modding my stock system by cutting off the mufflers and replacing them with performance oriented/aftermarket louder canon style mufflers...dunno if that would be a good idea. I'd like smooth deepness down low and screaming F1 car sound north of VTEC engagement (don't we all). Got an Invidia 60mm TP atm.

When it comes to duals I like the Invidia systems but for single the HKS 75mm. I need to experience them in person before deciding. Thought about going Spoon as part of my (predominantly) Spoon build but that N1 has too small a muffler to look the way I'd like it to. It sounds amazing of course but is 60mm max so when I slap my blower on it may not be as efficient with boost as the other 2 systems I mentioned. It's also more expensive than the HKS Hi Power. Choices eh?