On the topic of exhaust.
I like to hear and sometimes actually feel the distinctive puffs and shock-like concussion of each exhaust stroke. It helps me gauge how the saw is doing in the cut. An overly-muffled saw emits more of a continuous hum than a pop pop pop sound of a free-flowing exhaust. I like that growl.
But the OP asked about 462 vs 500i.
I don't know much about either, but I know they both need Ti-DAWGS.