The Siren Board

I’ve always been curious why the 508 never replaced the 2001. Both are great sirens, but it seems redundant. They offer the 2001, the equinox and the 508. They are all basically in the same segment. I understand the equinox and later the 508 were built to satisfy the nuclear regulatory commissions requirements for sound pitch. But it seems the 508 could satisfy the needs across the segment.

On the other hand, it seems the 2001-130 is still the best seller and it seems to be the default in new installs unless the customer asks for a 508.

Just some thoughts.

I'm guessing it's because of the cost differences. Many places can't afford a much larger siren like a 508, so they have to go with a more affordable option, like a 2001-130. Besides, Federal Signal already has the 2001-130s as their main options for regular sirens, and they've been set with them for a pretty long time. What would be the point of removing one of their sirens that gives them most of their revenue?

Brendan Ahern wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 07, 2024 2:14 pm

I’ve always been curious why the 508 never replaced the 2001. Both are great sirens, but it seems redundant. They offer the 2001, the equinox and the 508. They are all basically in the same segment. I understand the equinox and later the 508 were built to satisfy the nuclear regulatory commissions requirements for sound pitch. But it seems the 508 could satisfy the needs across the segment.

On the other hand, it seems the 2001-130 is still the best seller and it seems to be the default in new installs unless the customer asks for a 508.

Just some thoughts.

My guess is that the 2001-130 overall has a great sound output, and a great build quality. The 2001-130 is one of the most popular choices for towns/cities that are looking for a cheap, reliable siren that has a decent range. The 2001-130 fits all of those categories. The design of the 2001-130 is simple, making it easier to manufacture and maintain. On the other hand, the 508-128 are great for both nuclear power plants and/or cities looking for a siren for a decent output. Whilst not being the cheapest siren, it still gets the job done. It also has a pretty simple design which helps out with manufacturing and maintaining. Overall, they are both great, and sirens that Federal Signal will probably not take off the market for awhile.

The 2001-130 also outperforms the 508, particularly up close. The additional coverage the lower pitch the 508 has isn't always necessary, especially in systems that are spaced properly. The 130 is a very good drop-in replacement for just about any siren.

I disagree, the 2001-130 may produce 130db at 100ft
It’s effective range is nowhere near the up to 6,500Ft Federal gives it.

The 508’s low pitch penetrates buildings WAY better and it can cover more ground with less sound pressure.

The 130 is still around because it is a good all-around siren that meets the basic requirements of most systems. It's able to compete price-wise with other mile-range sirens and has a *rated* SPL advantage over everything else on the market at 130 dBc at 100 feet. The Equinox is a lower-cost option if you don't care for the SPL as much, and if you want more range, they give the 508 as an option with a slightly higher price tag. That pretty much sums it up; you pay more for the range same as with the Tempest lineup. Equinox < 130 < 508-128

Arguably, they all have advantages that make them better depending on the area. Low-pitch sirens dominate higher-pitched ones in rough terrain. Sirens like the 28/2910 and 16V1T-B will get snuffed out by 2001s up close, but they outrun them in my area since I live on the Fall Line in the Georgia/Alabama area, which has numerous valleys and hilly landscapes. It makes enough of a difference that it would make more sense to go with an Equinox down here over a 130, as the lower pitch can compensate for the difference in SPL and allow for them to perform about the same, saving some money in the process. On flat land, however, 2001s will probably outperform them since there are fewer obstacles that the sound has to fight while traveling through the air.

I agree with you. I live in the southern Alabama area. It is somewhat flat. There is a 2001-130 right next to my house and at 300 ft, it is still pretty effective. You can hear it really well.

Volume ≠ effective siren. You have to keep in mind that the frequency output of the siren is heavily manipulated by the environment the siren is subjected to. The 508 isn't effective in certain environments just like the 2001 isn't effective in certain others where the 508 or Equinox may excel. Federal offers a high tone and a low tone siren to cover all the bases. There is no such thing as a one size fits all mechanical siren in today's day and age. If there was, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

True, but for asc in particular, all their mechanical sirens are around the same frequency. Yes, they have different sizes with different sound levels, but essentially sound the same. Asc really doesn’t have a 2001 equivalent. The tempest series is more akin to the 508.

Brendan Ahern wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 16, 2024 3:22 am

True, but for asc in particular, all their mechanical sirens are around the same frequency. Yes, they have different sizes with different sound levels, but essentially sound the same. Asc really doesn’t have a 2001 equivalent. The tempest series is more akin to the 508.

It doesn't really matter. ASC doesn't sell anywhere near the same volume of units as Federal does. Federal can justify having options available where it's way harder for ASC to justify it due to ASC being a significantly smaller corporation than Federal. At the end of the day they're all one mile 128dB sirens.