EQ2B worth it?

shues

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 21, 2010
10,276
NW Indiana
You may also be happy with the Alpha 12Q or 22Q. These sounded so much like a Q that Federal Signal filed a lawsuit against Whelen:

Hey Steve,


This is an example of the whelen alpha 12 Q that one of our members hooked up to a smart siren. Basically, whelen made (IMHO) the best electronic, modern versions of a mechanical siren, BUT they had to stop production b/c a federal signal lawsuit said that it was a violation of their copyright. Although the eq2b has slowly grown on me over the past few years, to me, the eq2b still sounds like a dying cow next to the whelen electronic mechanical siren. You can find used alpha 12 Q's in the for-sale section but they don't come up everyday because their production was somewhat limited. However, as good as the alpha 12 Q is, the executor is still the electronic Q champ!


Whelen Alpha 12Q Siren Demo - YouTube

If we are going with what is currently available, then for me hands down has to be the Carson Mechanical tone. Can't stand Whelen's dying cow "Mechanical" tone, and the EQ2B also does not sound right.

I also agree with pdk9 that the Whelen Alpha Q's were the best sounding mechanical tone. It is unfortunate that the lawsuit came about and the best sounding mechanical tone was lost.

All time I would also have to include Federal Signal PA-5. While not labeled as a mechanical tone, the wail and manual tones mimic a mechanical siren extremely well. The yelp tone also sounds very close to a present day EQ2B yelp tone:


If I recall correctly this video, and several others (check out all the Scientific Prototypes videos!), were originally uploaded by an elightbars member. Again if I remember correctly, this particular PA-5 was rescued from a dumpster from a local police department.

Unfortunately I cannot remember which member this is, or if they even are still part of the boards.

Still have to give credit for an awesome series of videos!
 

Jarred J.

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 21, 2010
11,580
Shelbyville, TN
it allows you to watch it on you tube..
 

C17LVFD

Member
May 21, 2010
1,537
Harrisburg, PA
Not necessarily. The 12q/22q are unicorns that seek a pretty penny. Recently I saw a 12q sell for 400.

Carsons mechanical tone is decent and from my standpoint much better than Whelen’s current mechanical tone. You could easily get a dual tone mechanical tone Carson for the used price of a Eq2B.

Good Luck with your search

Seth
 

jayzce

Member
Jun 1, 2010
175
Philippines/Manila
Yeah saw a couple of 12 before on eBay with that price point. It's still lower than most EQ that i see mostly on the 750 price range. I'm not in a hurry but definitely will be searching for one. I have heard some good stuff as well on the sound of the Carsons. Will definitely check that out as well.
 

MtnMan

Member
Dec 20, 2012
1,533
Eastern PA
Are they worth it? Given that the Whelen Xecutor are hard to find.
I like them, particularly the air horn tone.

From a technical perspective, the first generation EQ2Bs had a number of flaws, to the point that Federal Signal abandoned the original design and no longer supports them. I've repaired about 10 of them with no complaints.
 
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