To Sound or Not to Sound

[ALAKAI]

Curious.

For those people who are getting together in groups and learning how to duel, do you normally go with sound? Seems like there will just be a bunch of noise clashing and bashing, would be cool at the beginning but if the motive is to practice dueling and battling, would you rather have it be silent?

Now ultimately I would to have a saber with sound by myself at home and all (unless it keeps people up) to practice on my own but is there some code or thought about to sound or not to sound?

[Therion Jinn]

For purely training purposes, especially in a group, I'd say go with a stunt saber (no sound)
For one on one demos, go with sound

[nathanielreykun]

Get the V4 sound so you can mute it with a few quick button presses.

[Vivectius]

Get the V4 sound so you can mute it with a few quick button presses.

Yes, this. It answers the question perfectly since it lets you have both.

[Landen Se-Sentien]

Get the V4 sound so you can mute it with a few quick button presses.

Yes, this. It answers the question perfectly since it lets you have both.

Yep.

[Karmack]

I will say this in defense of the lowly stunt: the batteries last longer.  My V4/Emerald is awesome, but even muted it lasts at most a couple of hours.  A stunt generally lasts longer, and where my sound-equipped hilt also just "winks out" when it goes dead the stunts also will fade out, giving you some grace period.  Plus you can slap in some replacement AAA batteries pretty quick, but I don't have spare rechargables for the other. 

OF course, a few spare batteries would solve the problem....  LOL

Anyway, stunts have a place, but if you're going to just have one saber, the V4 is the best option.

[Master Nero Attoru]

I've seen this question a lot, and it's a legitimate one.  Unfortunately, there's no universal answer - it's very dependent on people's priorities.  Some people feel that a saber without sound doesn't fulfill the fantasy enough for them, they need to hear the hums and clashes to feel like they're wielding a lightsaber.  While this is understandable, there are others who are completely fine with stunts, and don't desire to pay the (significant) upgrade for sound.

Personally, I tend to think that everyone should have one of each, for different purposes.  Sound equipped sabers are extremely fun to me in short bursts - wielding them around the house, or clashing briefly with friends.  For actual sparring or training, I find stunts to be less distracting.  Also, like Karmack said, a well installed stunt can last a LONG time on a single charge of Li-ion batteries!  Anyway, that's my take on it, after years of collecting these.  Each person has to decide for him/herself.

[scifidude79]

Personally, I tend to think that everyone should have one of each, for different purposes.  Sound equipped sabers are extremely fun to me in short bursts - wielding them around the house, or clashing briefly with friends.  For actual sparring or training, I find stunts to be less distracting.  Also, like Karmack said, a well installed stunt can last a LONG time on a single charge of Li-ion batteries!  Anyway, that's my take on it, after years of collecting these.  Each person has to decide for him/herself.

This right here.  I have a few with sound, an always growing collection as I tend to do my own sound conversions.  (though, I do sometimes buy with sound too)  If I'm just playing around, I'll grab one of my sound sabers for the fun and fully immersive experience.  However, if I'm legitimately trying a spin move or even a slash or other technique, I'll just grab one of my stunts.  There's no need to have sound and whatnot if I'm just trying to get a move right.  Plus, if I'm watching an instructional video by Darth Nonymous or Darth Cephalus, or whoever, then I don't want to have to crank up the volume on the video to hear it over the saber.  Mute is nice, I have a mute function on three of my sound sabers, but the batteries still don't last as long as they do in a saber that's just driving an LED.

[Bluelightsaber]

Does the diamond let you mute it with gestures or anything?

[ALAKAI]

This right here.  I have a few with sound, an always growing collection as I tend to do my own sound conversions.  (though, I do sometimes buy with sound too)  If I'm just playing around, I'll grab one of my sound sabers for the fun and fully immersive experience.  However, if I'm legitimately trying a spin move or even a slash or other technique, I'll just grab one of my stunts.  There's no need to have sound and whatnot if I'm just trying to get a move right.  Plus, if I'm watching an instructional video by Darth Nonymous or Darth Cephalus, or whoever, then I don't want to have to crank up the volume on the video to hear it over the saber.  Mute is nice, I have a mute function on three of my sound sabers, but the batteries still don't last as long as they do in a saber that's just driving an LED.

That makes total sense. I am actually kinda happy that it does not have sound since I play with it when the kid is asleep as well. Good stuff

[boogermancan]

Does the diamond let you mute it with gestures or anything?

it dose have a muted mode

[JdiKnhtJMH]

I started buying stunt sabers because sound was too expensive. But if once you buy a saber with sound, forever will it dominate your destiny. And your wallet. I suggest just starting with the sabers with sound, it's inevitable, and it'll save you money to start there rather than collecting stunt sabers for a while. My collection is now at 20 sabers all with premium sound.

[BatMike90]

I have 15 sabers, 4 with sound. I play with the stunts more because of when I get time to play is at night and sound is not a good idea with the neighbors I have.