Hey, I played both when they were still in the arcades. I don't think its much of a difference. I never got the chaser light thing. They were usually broken and did not add much. Its just like sinistar cockpit, star wars cockpit, and red baron cockpit. the sit in experience is overated. That why I sold/plan to sell mine. Not worth the wasted space. I don't own an omega race cockpit and I passed on a missile command sit in for the same reason. Other than driving games, unless the game added something like motion to afterburner, I don't see the point.
My cab is wired with the rear speakers. I think the best solution would be to put them on poles high and behind the game. The other option, I was thinking of removing the coin door and mounting them there.