One of our erstwhile EROPS B757”s had an 535E4 engine that made a most distinctive growl on the selection of take-off thrust. That engine ran day after day over the N Atlantic, but when its overhaul time was up, off it went to Derby, where RR modified the noise out of it. On the ground, if that ship was taking off, there was no mistaking its identity. From the flight deck, the noise was equally unique and I found it very distinctive. On reflection, the RR engined 757 had a history of making such a noise, buzz or racket, but perhaps we had one of the last to have whatever produced that happy sound prior to it being modified out.
Looking sideways, but the question was only about engine sound, so herewith tongue in cheek. On the reciprocating front, apart from the Bristol Centaurus, may I suggest the English Electric 8SVT power unit? It possesses 2 Napier turbo-blowers (the last gasp of the company that manufactured the Sabre aero engine) which make a wonderful whistling sound. The engine block and its associated accessories weigh about 19 tons and it produces approx 1000 noisy or at full chat, very noisy HP. Bombproof though and it will produce that power forever. Also, the machine it is bolted to is generally locked into LNAV, so you don’t have to steer it.
Both of the above wonderful to operate.