X10 Community Forum

🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: BENCHMARKMAN on July 07, 2009, 08:23:06 PM

Title: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: BENCHMARKMAN on July 07, 2009, 08:23:06 PM
How big of a noise difference is there between the normal power siren and Mini Power siren.  I read that specs that the mini is 5db less than the normal but I'm not sure how much real world difference that makes.  I'd appreciate thoughts from people have tried both.  Thanks
Title: Re: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: Brian H on July 07, 2009, 09:08:30 PM
IMHO
My PH508 PowerHorn sounds much louder than my SH10A Mini PowerHorn.
Both by the way don't sound exactly like a siren. They kind of warble with a high low pitch cycle.

The PH508 has four sounders; while the SH10A has one. On their front panel.
Title: Re: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: Kramer Chins on July 07, 2009, 10:58:59 PM
I think there is a big difference between the 2..... If you have neighbors close they will hear the mini horn, along with the sounders on the control unit and your lights flashing it will draw some attention. If you live in a rural area I would suggest the PH508.

I have the SH10A in my shed and 4 PH508's (1 in the basement, 1 upstairs, and 2 outside) plus the sounders on the DS7000.  >!  Someone trips my alarm I want EVERYONE to know !!

 :' But my neighbors hate it when I do system checks !!!!!!!
Title: Re: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: HA Dave on July 08, 2009, 12:26:57 AM
How big of a noise difference is there between the normal power siren and Mini Power siren.  I read that specs that the mini is 5db less than the normal but I'm not sure how much real world difference that makes.  I'd appreciate thoughts from people have tried both. 

I have both. As a middle aged man... the shear volume of noise from the large powerhorn sounds louder to my ears. A young lady would (or should) find the higher pitched sound of the smaller siren will actually hurt her ears. So yes... sex and age do play a part.
Title: Re: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: x10dude on July 08, 2009, 05:55:45 PM
I'm neither middle aged nor a lady, but I personally find that the smaller horn pierces more and actually hurts the eardrum. It's true that the bigger one is louder, however.

So, if you're looking for something that will hurt someone's ears standing in the vicinity, the small one is the aswer. If you're looking for loundness, the bigger one is a better option.

Personally, I use 4 large and 5 small ones, not couting the ones on the console. It's a mad house when the system gets tripped by accident or when I test the system.
Title: Re: Power Siren vs Mini Power Siren
Post by: HA Dave on July 08, 2009, 06:39:41 PM
I'm neither middle aged nor a lady...

Sorry... didn't mean to imply that users would have to be at ether end of the sound/hearing spectrum. Just wanted to point out that the smaller siren... although very loud [ear pericing] it may not seem so much to older men.

....It's a mad house when the system gets tripped by accident or when I test the system.

My home is the same. I also have several lights that pulse with the sirens. And although flashing lights may not be effective during daylight hours... It adds to the confusion inside the home.

I also have the latest version of BVC (http://www.wgjohns.com/bvc.htm) which includes the all lights on, all units off functions in the listener setup. So when my alarm sounds my BVC Kate voice yells (actually speaks in her normal voice) "intruder detected", "the police have been called".

Because of the sirens (I also use several)... in many areas of the home... you (I) can't tell what my Kate Voice is saying. But you can hear a person talking.