Louder horns??

[mk216v]

***I should have originally posted this topic here vs the Van thread, so reposting here;
I've searched the forums but haven't found any solid info.
Has anyone found any louder horns they've had good success with? I'm looking to add these to my 2007 Ford E350 turbodiesel.
I was originally thinking something along the lines of air horns(I will be getting UJOR's OBA setup soon, so will have a 2.5lb air tank), but then a friend made a good point; depending on which air horns, they might be too damn loud to where I may actually be afraid to use them. So no train horn suggestions please.
Looking for something than Ford's joke of a horn set....

***So far, these are the 2 contender brands;
#1 Stebel

http://stebelengineeredsounds.com/mini_air_horns.html
New Compact; http://stebelengineeredsounds.com/nautilus_compact_horns.html
Original; http://stebelengineeredsounds.com/nautilus_twin_horns.html

Twin tone output of 139dB (at 4") and 115dB (at 2 meters) at frequencies of 530Hz and 680Hz.
Redesigned so it will fit on motorcycles easier!
Will work with any 12v system (car, truck, motorcycle, golf cart, RV, Bus, Rhino, Gator, ATV, Boat, Hi-Lo,..)
Simultaneous high and low tones
Instant sound (no delay like normal air horns)
Includes relay for installation
Unique single point mounting system
Compact size for easy installation (4 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" tall)
Awesome Stebel quality
Shell constructed of high quality ABS plastic
Current – 18 amps at 12volts
Comes with the relay needed for installation as well as mounting bolt.

Friend sent me some more horn reviews;
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-horns/motorcycle-horn-comparison.htm
http://www.motorcycleconsumernews-digitalmagazine.com/mcnews/april_2014d/?pg=28#pg28
Definitely looks like back in '08 Nautilus had some quality control issues with the Original.
Recent Amazon'ers seem to have little/no issues with the Compact.
Biggest concern I see now with either Nautilus is the 18amp power draw, however horns will only be typically in short bursts.

I was thinking Hella would be higher quality but looks like Amazon'ers have had more complaints about Hella quality than the Nautilus.

Some further good info here on the Stebel; http://www.twistedthrottle.com/steb...cycle-air-horn-12-volt-139-db-black-or-chrome
Per the manufacturer, this horn should be mounted so that the cylinder is vertical (with the horn facing down). There should be no more than a 15 degree variance from the vertical position. If it is not mounted per these specifications, then the horn may cease to function after a period of time.

***#2 Hella Supertone or Sharptone
Here's an interesting video, detailing tones of the Hella Supertone(500Hz and 300Hz at 118dB) vs Hella Sharptone(415Hz and 350Hz at 115dB)(these dB ratings may actually be higher than advertised, as seen by the 2nd motorcycle link test above for the Supertone's);
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKOdNCv9UwE
http://www.hella.com/hella-sg/assets/media/Hella_Horns_Brochure_LoRes.pdf

Is it just the video or does the Sharptone actually sound louder, maybe due to the frequencies our ears pick up?

Again, the Stebel Nautilus Compact are 680Hz and 530Hz at 139dB(this dB rating may actually be lower than advertised, if independently tested)

***My takeaway so far; if you don't have the extra room for the larger Stebel, just get the Supertone's or Sharptone's.
If you have a larger rig where the Stebel can better fit, the Stebel may sound even more unique and thus attract more attention due to the higher frequencies.

Whichever you choose, keep your OEM horns connected in case the aftermarket horns fail somehow.
I'll probably go with the Stebel Compact since I have extra room with VANdiana.

Any other better suggestions, or feedback on these?

TIA,
Jeremy

 

[PirateMcGee]

Why get louder horns when you can just chop the top off the van, remove your seat belt and windshield, wear leather chaps and a bandanna, and put straight pipes on?........oh wait....wrong thread

I would go Hella. Also at those dB ratings it's enough to cause instant hearing damage (to whoever's in front of them) so watch when you use them. I always liked the arrroooooogah ones and they certainly make people look due to the different sound.

 

[Herbie]

+1 on Hella Supertones. I've used them in several vehicles, and can confirm that, properly wired, they are painfully loud at the front of the vehicle, so avoid using them on pedestrians, etc. if you can help it!

 

[mk216v]

Why get louder horns when you can just chop the top off the van, remove your seat belt and windshield, wear leather chaps and a bandanna, and put straight pipes on?........oh wait....wrong thread

I would go Hella. Also at those dB ratings it's enough to cause instant hearing damage (to whoever's in front of them) so watch when you use them. I always liked the arrroooooogah ones and they certainly make people look due to the different sound.

Chaps; azzless or not?

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Noted that Hella is ahead right now...

 

[chet6.7]

There is a youtube of the Hella horns,see if you like the sound.
I will follow your thread to see what you come up with.
I need a better horn for my truck,the horn is wimpy,and to compound that Ram ran the horn thru the computer.There is a delay and you can't give a polite,short toot.
I have read that a late 80's stock Caddy horn is decent,again there a youtube videos.

 

[mk216v]

There is a youtube of the Hella horns,see if you like the sound.
I will follow your thread to see what you come up with.
I need a better horn for my truck,the horn is wimpy,and to compound that Ram ran the horn thru the computer.There is a delay and you can't give a polite,short toot.
I have read that a late 80's stock Caddy horn is decent,again there a youtube videos.

From my post above;
Here's an interesting video, detailing tones of the Hella Supertone(500Hz and 300Hz at 118dB) vs Hella Sharptone(415Hz and 350Hz at 115dB)(these dB ratings may actually be higher than advertised, as seen by the 2nd motorcycle link test above for the Supertone's);
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKOdNCv9UwE
http://www.hella.com/hella-sg/assets/media/Hella_Horns_Brochure_LoRes.pdf

Is it just the video or does the Sharptone actually sound louder, maybe due to the frequencies our ears pick up?

The Supertone sounds too high pitched for me(the Sharptone sounds more correct--maybe because I'm more used to that tone), however this appears to be the design; the higher pitch is more unique than the lower tone(ie Sharptone), thus might get more attention when the horn is used.

 

[freshlikesushi]

i have these
http://amzn.to/1LALl7A

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

 

[mk216v]

Sound clip?

 

[SrPatron]

I had the Twin Hella air horns and they were awesome, definitely get peoples attention. Space is limited on my Van so I went with the HELLA 007424801 Twin Trumpet High/Low Tone 12V Horn Kit. not as loud as the air horns but have a good sound and have gotten the job done so far. Jumpered the relay off the stock horn so easy install.

 

[freshlikesushi]

Sound clip?

loud. just know its loud.

a guy was texting and drifting into my lane. i honked at him and it scared him so bad the phone was in the backseat

 

[chet6.7]

The sound of the Hellas does not appeal to me,they sound like they should be on a VW bus full of hairy legged women.

 

[mk216v]

I had the Twin Hella air horns and they were awesome, definitely get peoples attention. Space is limited on my Van so I went with the HELLA 007424801 Twin Trumpet High/Low Tone 12V Horn Kit. not as loud as the air horns but have a good sound and have gotten the job done so far. Jumpered the relay off the stock horn so easy install.

Thanks, any delay from when you press your horn button to when they erupt with noise?
Would you say they're louder than the Hella Supertone's?

 

[SrPatron]

Both the Hella air and trumpets have no delay. Here's a video of the trumpets plus stock horn

 

[SrPatron]

The sound of the Hellas does not appeal to me,they sound like they should be on a VW bus full of hairy legged women.

Sounds like it got your attention though, mission accomplished.

 

[chuppie]

High pitched horns usually invoke the finger response. Like some angry effeminate Audi driver pissed off you are not driving 100 mph in the right lane. I suggest a deep tone which usually corresponds to a larger vehicle. What about a used GM or Ford horns from a Truck or Suburban or something similar? That Hella high pitched horn is the worse horn you could pay money for and if you used it on the wrong person, would likely get you beat up.