The Importance of Police Sirens

Police sirens are extremely important when demanding attention on the road. Activating a loud and powerful siren captures drivers' attention and allows you to get through traffic in times of need. We carry a variety of sirens with multiple siren tones, which gives you ample control over your vehicle's siren speaker output.

These are some of the common uses of an emergency vehicle siren:

• EMS
• Fire Trucks
• Police Cars

How to Choose a Police Siren

Three factors will help you decide which siren system fits your build: output, control format, and compatibility with your lights.

• Output: 100-watt systems cover most patrol cars, ambulances, and service vehicles. 200-watt systems are built to drive two speakers and suit heavier vehicles or high-noise environments. A 30-watt all-in-one unit handles police motorcycles, where space and current draw are both limited.
• Control format: A handheld siren controller keeps the keypad on a coiled cord, so it can be operated from either seat. A fixed control box mounts to the console within reach of the driver. A full vehicle controller combines siren tones and light switching in one head unit.
• Light integration: Some siren control boxes include switches for your warning lights, so a single unit runs the whole system. Others handle tones only and pair with a separate switch box.

Every siren system also needs a speaker. Most units are sold as an amplifier plus a separate speaker, so check what is included before you order.

Siren Tones and When Each Is Used

Most emergency vehicle sirens carry the same core tone set, and each tone serves a different purpose in traffic.

• Wail: A slow rising and falling tone that carries the furthest. This is the standard choice for open-road response.
• Yelp: A faster version of wail, used at intersections and in heavy traffic where the quicker cycle cuts through better.
• Phaser: A rapid, aggressive tone kept for the last few car lengths when a driver has not yielded.
• Hi-Lo: A two-note European-style tone, often used for slow movement through crowds or around a scene.
• Air horn: A manual blast for immediate attention, usually triggered from the horn ring or a dedicated button.
• Manual mode: Lets the operator initiate tones when the dedicated button is toggled. This is useful to signal short bursts on command.

Police Sirens & Emergency LED Light Bars

Even if you have LED light bars installed on your emergency vehicle, it is still a good idea to use a police car siren simultaneously with the lights. Drivers may sometimes be distracted and may not notice flashing lights, but they will likely hear a siren as you are approaching. The combined use of lights and sirens is a dynamic way to capture the attention of everyone in the area.

PA Systems and Air Horns

A public address system lets you speak through the vehicle's speaker, which is helpful at traffic stops, on scene, and for crowd direction. Most full siren systems include a PA function with a handheld microphone.

• PA with siren: Built into the siren head unit and sharing the same speaker, so no extra hardware is needed.
• PA without siren: A standalone car PA system with air horn output, for vehicles that need voice and horn only.
• Microphone: A corded handheld mic, usually supplied with a clip mount for the console.

A dedicated PA unit suits security vehicles, event and parking control, utility trucks, and any application where siren tones are not authorized but voice projection is allowed.

Low Frequency Sirens

A low-frequency siren adds a deep, penetrating tone underneath the standard siren output. Low-frequency sound passes through glass, sheet metal, and vehicle insulation more effectively than higher tones, so it reaches drivers who have the windows up, the air conditioning running, and music playing.

These units work as an add-on rather than a replacement. They need an existing siren system to drive them, and they mount as a second speaker alongside the primary one. Most departments run these sirens when approaching intersections and gridlock, where the risk of a driver failing to yield is highest.

Variety of Siren Tones and Customizable Lights

At SpeedTech Lights, we are proud to offer a variety of lights and sirens to help you customize your vehicle to fit your needs. Our emergency vehicle sirens include features you can set to match any application. We offer several tones to choose from, plus manual modes that let you activate the specific tone burst you want. Some sirens even have built-in switches to power your warning lights on the same platform as your siren system.

For more information about the different types of emergency vehicle sirens available on our website, contact us today! Take some time to browse through the pages on our website, and feel free to contact our experienced team if you have questions about any of the products that we offer.

Siren Speakers and Mounting

A siren amplifier needs a speaker to produce sound, and speaker choice affects how far the tone carries.

• Compact speakers: Fit behind the grille on most patrol vehicles and modern SUVs, where space is tight.
• Cone speakers: A traditional round housing that projects well and mounts behind a grille opening or on a push bar.
• Dual speaker setups: Paired with 200-watt systems to use the full output of the amplifier.

Mount the speaker facing forward with a clear path through the grille, since anything blocking the cone reduces how far the tone travels. Browse speakers to find the right match for your siren system.

Shop Police Sirens and PA Systems In Stock

SpeedTech Lights is a US emergency vehicle lighting manufacturer in Buda, Texas. For over 21 years, we have supplied police, fire, EMS, tow, and municipal fleets with sirens, speakers, and warning lights. Browse police lights and sirens for a complete vehicle build, and note that departments buying on government purchase orders get agency terms and net billing.

🛒 Shop Emergency Vehicle & Police Sirens at SpeedTech Lights

SpeedTech Lights carries a full range of emergency vehicle sirens: 100-watt and 200-watt siren systems, handheld siren controllers, dual-tone and low-frequency units, motorcycle sirens, PA and air horn systems, and matching speakers. All products are stocked in-house for 1-2 day processing. BBB A+ Rated. Free shipping on orders $100+. Government purchase orders accepted.

Call (800) 757-2581  |  Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm CST  |  [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Vehicle Sirens

What is the difference between a 100-watt and a 200-watt siren?

The difference comes down to the output and speaker count. A 100-watt siren drives a single speaker and covers most patrol cars, ambulances, and service vehicles. A 200-watt system is built to drive two speakers, which suits heavier vehicles, highway response, and noisy environments. More wattage increases how far the tone carries with dual speakers.

Do I need a separate speaker for my siren?

In most cases, yes, you will need a separate speaker. Siren amplifiers and speakers are usually sold separately, so you can match the speaker to your grille space and mounting position. Motorcycle units are the exception, since they are built as all-in-one systems with the speaker integrated.

What do the wail, yelp, and phaser tones mean?

Wail, yelp, and phaser are the three standard tone patterns. Wail is a slow rise and fall that carries the farthest and is used for open-road response. Yelp is a faster cycle used in traffic and at intersections. Phaser is a rapid, aggressive tone kept for the final approach when a driver has not yielded.

Can I get a PA system for a car without a siren?

Yes. A standalone PA unit provides public address and air horn output with no siren tones. This suits security patrol vehicles, parking and event control, utility trucks, and any vehicle where siren tones are not legally authorized but voice projection is still needed.

What is a low-frequency siren and do I need one?

A low-frequency siren produces a deep tone that passes through glass and sheet metal more effectively than standard siren frequencies in dense urban environments. This helps reach drivers with their windows up and music playing. It works as an add-on that requires an existing siren system and a second speaker, rather than as a standalone unit.

Can a siren control my lights as well?

Some models can control both sirens and lights. Certain control boxes and full vehicle controllers include switches for your warning lights, so one unit runs both the siren and the lighting. Other siren amplifiers handle tones only and pair with a separate switch box. Check the product description to see which type you are buying.