The Energon Pub

Hasbro has been teasing us when it comes to Soundwave over the last few years. We've actually had no less than 4 mass US releases over the last 3-4 years (Cybertron, Titanium, TRU Reissue and Animated)

If you want to play the import game, there's Music Label Soundwave.

The thing is, we've yet to see a true Classics Soundwave.

Hasbro told us the TRU exclusive "was Classics Soundwave" but a lot of collectors obviously aren't going to feel that way.

So now I've been rambling for a quarter page and the reason is simple. I want a Soundwave to display with my Universe/Classics figs. I want him now. I'm not going to hedge my bets with Hasbro and wait for them to get it right so that leaves me with a decision to make.

Which Soundwave that's been released over the last few years is the best fit with Classics/Universe?

Music Label Soundwave.

yeah! these soundwaves are jokes!!! i mean they do look cool and all but some lack flexibility, awesome features and yes a classics sound wave is needed or i will sue

I've got the Titanium in with my Classics and he's a good fit sizewise for the Classics Seekers, but the Music Label is a better figure overall. Not yet managed to justify the cost on that one though. I do wish that the planned Soundblaster repaint of Titanium Soundwave had made it onto the market before the line got canned though. The little Ravage that he was going to come with instead of Laserbeak was just so cute.

I've got Music Label Soundwave (blue version) displayed with my Classics. He's the same size as most deluxe class figures, maybe even half an inch taller. He looks pretty much exactly like G1 Soundwave. The only downside is the absence of cassettes, but that doesn't really bother me.

In short, if you're looking for a Soundwave to fit into your Classics/Universe display, I would strongly suggest Music Label Soundwave as the best fit.

I guess I'm the only one using TRU Soundwave in his Universe/Cls line. He fits well IMO. Stands close to Cls Megs size and is pretty close to his animated self already. If anything, I think he needs knees, but over all, he's still close to perfect.

My TRU Soundwave. I still remember the day I saw it in the TRU near me. So happy.

Music Label hands down. Get a white one while you're at it for Shattered Glass.

Geekee1 wrote:Music Label hands down. Get a white one while you're at it for Shattered Glass.

Are you channeling Counterpunch?

Prime Evil wrote:I guess I'm the only one using TRU Soundwave in his Universe/Cls line. He fits well IMO. Stands close to Cls Megs size and is pretty close to his animated self already. If anything, I think he needs knees, but over all, he's still close to perfect.

I agree. TRU Soundwave is the best fit for my Classics Decepticon shelf.

I guess I'm the Only one that likes Cybertron Soundwave.

He fits in well, As I always felt Soundwave was taller that your average Autobot. So it works. And Lazerbeak/hex bomb is awesome.

Sad there where no more Hex figures. But Glad that we'll get Ravage with Hound. That way my Cyb Soundwave can have his other faithful minion at his side.

I wonder if he'll fit in his chest. Might have to mis-transform him a bit.

However I do agree a real Classics/Universe Soundwave is long overdue.

Let's break this down by each figure's pros and cons.

Music Label:

Pros:
Same size as Universe deluxes (Seekers).
Design and color scheme are definitely recognizable as G1 Soundwave.
Good articulation and poseability.

Cons:
Expensive.
No cassettes.


TRU Reissue Soundwave:

Pros:
Being a reissue, he's as G1 accurate as you can get.
Comes with Ravage and Laserbeak.
Roughly equal height to Voyager Megatron

Cons:
Lack of articulation/poseability
Towers over Seekers, Octane, and other Universe deluxes.


Titanium:

Okay, I don't own this one, so I'm gonna just mention some things I've heard from others.

Pros:
In-scale with Universe deluxes (Seekers, etc)
Decent articulation

Cons:
While easily recognizable, both the Reissue and the MusicLabel are more G1 accurate.
Many reports of loose joints.
Giant, low-hanging crotch.
(if you want Soundwave hung like a mule, this is the figure for you.)

Basically, I think Titanium Soundwave is the least useful of the three for a Universe substitute. As for deciding between the reissue or the MusicLabel, it really boils down to four questions:
1. Height equal to Megatron or to Seekers?
2. How important is articulation?
3. How important are cassettes?
4. What's your budget?

If you want cassettes, go with Reissue.
If you want articulation, go with MusicLabel.

For those who are leaning towards MusicLabel but still wish for cassettes, that's why Universe Hound comes with Ravage

Geekee1 wrote:Music Label hands down. Get a white one while you're at it for Shattered Glass.

Agreed. I got the Blaster Black one from TFSource the day I got back from botcon on super sale. It looks great with my classics figs.

The fact that Music Label actually PLAYS MUSIC is a considered bonus in my eyes.

diosoth wrote:The fact that Music Label actually PLAYS MUSIC is a considered bonus in my eyes.

Now if only Ravage or Laserbeak could transform into functional SD Memory Cards, we'd be all set.

Savage wrote:

diosoth wrote:The fact that Music Label actually PLAYS MUSIC is a considered bonus in my eyes.

Now if only Ravage or Laserbeak could transform into functional SD Memory Cards, we'd be all set.

Well, you could always do what I'm doing...

I got a Micro-SD card that came with a Mini-SD card adapter. I plan on getting more Micro-SD cards, and some knockoff cassetticons, and carving grooves into them at an appropriate place just large enough to store a Micro-SD card.

Just think! Frenzy would store the card with speed metal and thrash... Laserbeak would hold techno... and if the Autobot cassettes ever got KO'd, then Rewind would carry Oldies... Steeljaw normal Metal... and more!

Some good points by everyone.

Savage wrote:TRU Reissue Soundwave:

Pros:
Being a reissue, he's as G1 accurate as you can get.
Comes with Ravage and Laserbeak.
Roughly equal height to Voyager Megatron

Cons:
Lack of articulation/poseability
Towers over Seekers, Octane, and other Universe deluxes.

Soundwave was always meant to be big, if you look at how he was next to other original G1 figures, he was a shade taller than most, especially the Seekers. My biggest beef with him is his look is just a bit different than anything currently being made.

Savage wrote:Titanium:

Okay, I don't own this one, so I'm gonna just mention some things I've heard from others.

Pros:
In-scale with Universe deluxes (Seekers, etc)
Decent articulation

Cons:
While easily recognizable, both the Reissue and the MusicLabel are more G1 accurate.
Many reports of loose joints.
Giant, low-hanging crotch.
(if you want Soundwave hung like a mule, this is the figure for you.)

I have this one and actually I think he's a little short compared to the rest of Classics for the reasons I just mentioned. Maybe I could have this figure as Soundwave's pimp brother named Mulewave.

You didn't cover Cybertron Soundwave, any thoughts on him? One thing I do like about him is he shares the Blaster mold.

diosoth wrote:The fact that Music Label actually PLAYS MUSIC is a considered bonus in my eyes.

I'm still baffled by this. Is anyone carrying him around day by day to listen to him?

Delicon wrote:Some good points by everyone.

Savage wrote:...

I have this one and actually I think he's a little short compared to the rest of Classics for the reasons I just mentioned. Maybe I could have this figure as Soundwave's pimp brother named Mulewave.

You didn't cover Cybertron Soundwave, any thoughts on him? One thing I do like about him is he shares the Blaster mold.

But I did.

If you want a list

Pros:
1. Appropriately Sized. As I said Soundwave is supposed to be larger that your average autobot or decepticon.

2. Awesome Laserbeak/hex bomb 'Nuff said.

3. Looks real cool in stealth Bomber mode.


Cons:
1. Wonky Legs. yeah due to transformation they look really weird and have an even stranger join that makes his knees kink inward.

2. Legs don't lock in right in stealth bomber mode.

3. No Ravage.

I just ordered a music label Soundwave from BBTS to go with my Classics.

I got Music Label Soundwave at Botcon last year for like $50 and don't regret it at all.

He fits in great with the rest of my classics and is fully articulated. All he needed was the reprolabel kit. Sure he doesn't have any cassettes, but I just use the ones from my TRU reissue.

Firebird wrote:I got Music Label Soundwave at Botcon last year for like $50 and don't regret it at all.

He fits in great with the rest of my classics and is fully articulated. All he needed was the reprolabel kit. Sure he doesn't have any cassettes, but I just use the ones from my TRU reissue.

One of these days I'm going to place a massive order with Reprolabels. I need a lot of G1 labels to touch up my G1 collection. I'll have to remember to add the Music Label Soundwave sheet to my list.

Delicon wrote:You didn't cover Cybertron Soundwave, any thoughts on him?

Pros:
Great G1 Soundwave homage in robot mode.
Comes with Laserbeak.
Good articulation.

Cons:
Back kibble makes balance tricky on some poses.
Not a cassette deck.

Overall, an awesome figure. I love this guy. But for a Universe display, I find him slightly out of place. I'd stick with a Soundwave that retains (roughly) his original alt mode.

As a sidenote, I have a display shelf dedicated to Starscream, Shockwave, and Soundwave. Cybertron Soundwave and the TRU Reissue stand proudly with Energon Shockblast and three Starscreams.

I display my classics with the tru Soundwave. Nice size and shape. The major factor with mine though was getting Ravage and Laserbeak as part of the deal... especially Ravage (a toy I've always wanted).

Diem wrote:

diosoth wrote:The fact that Music Label actually PLAYS MUSIC is a considered bonus in my eyes.

I'm still baffled by this. Is anyone carrying him around day by day to listen to him?

I do actively use mine as an MP3 player, yes. Especially if the electricity goes out. Replacable AAA batteries are a strong advantage, too.

Robots that turn into working memory sticks? Maybe if it's Masterpiece or something. Any robot that folds into a Mini SD stick is gonna be a real lousy toy to play with.