I dont know why there isnt more love for the Cobra drivers when it comes to us regular Joes. Yes it is loud. I am about 90% deaf, but i can even hear that thing resonate a bit. But still, who cares about sound when it performs the way it does? I have also hit the SS350 with the same identical shaft that my SZ400 has and it is every bit as long. you can pick one of those up rather cheap these days. I have not tried the 440 Comp, but have heard it is equally hot as well. I just never cared for that BOM one bit. Too big for my tastes. The SZ400 is about as big as I care to go with.