Interior Siren vs. Speaker

[Sacedog]

I have read through the posts on sirens vs. speakers, and have a good understanding of what each is capabile of (or at least I think I do). If I am installing a bunch of the Elk SP12F speakers inside of the house, is there a need for sirens as well? Wont the speakers suffice for burg and fire siren sounds? I already have purchased two interior sirens, but am wondering if I need to wire for them, in order to avoid the additional wall clutter.

 

[rfdesq]

If you anticipate hearing impaired burglars I would install extra indoor strobes . If you anticipate hearing burglars then I have found the indoor speakers to be more than sufficient.

 

[rrockoff]

I have some strategically placed ELK-M1TWS Two Way Listen-in Speaker and Microphone boxes connected to a ELK-M1TWI Two Way Listen-in Interface. It works great for voice and alarm purposes with the extra added feature of being able to dial in and hear what is going on in your house.

I had a false alarm one time when a door was left open. The dogs got into an area that has a 360 motion and set it off. I was able to call in to my ELK-M1 and hear nothing was going on. Due to the location of the zone, I was able to figure out what happened.

The listen in mode is stealth. The occupants don't know you can hear them. I have called on occasion to check on my two teenage kids. If there is a party, I can change to announce mode and tell the party guest to go home. I can do the same for burglars.

Rod

 

[Photon]

"The listen in mode is stealth. The occupants don't know you can hear them. I have called on occasion to check on my two teenage kids."

How do you dial into your Elk without alerting the occupants that something is going on? I haven't set mine up for dial-in access yet, but it looks like I have to set it to ring more times than it takes the answering machine to pick up. When I then dial "***" to tell the Elk I want to communicate with it, the tones are audible over the answering machine.

Do I understand correctly that the listen-in feature isn't available with the M1XEP Ethernet interface? It seems to me the only way I can sneak into the Elk's Two-Way Listen-In Interface is if I connect the Elk to a second phone line.

 

[rrockoff]

How do you dial into your Elk without alerting the occupants that something is going on? I haven't set mine up for dial-in access yet, but it looks like I have to set it to ring more times than it takes the answering machine to pick up. When I then dial "***" to tell the Elk I want to communicate with it, the tones are audible over the answering machine.

Good point. I didn't think about that scenario. In my case I am using an ABN Broadband Adapter with Next Alarm. So there is no answering machine to deal with. I would guess a 2nd dedicated phone line would give you the same benefit.

Rod

 

[WayneW]

Rod, how does the NextAlarm ABN adapter function with the M1TWI? I assumed the ABM was just a proprietary VOIP box for outbound calls. Can you dial in to the ABN? Do you get an additional phone number to call the M1? I currently use VOIP with NextAlarm, but without an ABN.

 

[rrockoff]

Rod, how does the NextAlarm ABN adapter function with the M1TWI? I assumed the ABM was just a proprietary VOIP box for outbound calls. Can you dial in to the ABN? Do you get an additional phone number to call the M1? I currently use VOIP with NextAlarm, but without an ABN.

Yes, you can call into the ABN. The instructions are posted on the Next Alarm website. Login to NextAlarm Website then choose the "ABN Information" link on the left hand side of the webpage. It give you a choice of two access phone numbera to call, one for west coast and one for east coast. Once the phone connects, you enter your account number and a pin code then it dials your ABN. Once the ELK-M1 answers use the instructions from the M1TWI.

Rod

 

[Sacedog]

So is the general feeling that if I have a bunch of the small Elk speakers throughout the house, I do not also need a siren?

 

[rrockoff]

So is the general feeling that if I have a bunch of the small Elk speakers throughout the house, I do not also need a siren?

I have 3 speakers in a 4800 SQFT 2 story house. It is quite loud when the alarm is trigered. I think you will be happy with just speakers. You can always wire for the sirens and add them later if you change your mind. In my opinion you can never have too much wire.

Rod

 

[felixrosbergen]

If i plan to have Russound CAV6.6 audio throughout the house i assume you don't need Elk speakers for announcements right? I can just use the Russound 'page' function or announcements?

In my current plans i have whole house audio all over, and just a single Elk indoor siren so it's dedicated and runs of Elk battery,etc. Does this sound ok to you all?

 

[speacock]

Sacedog,

Apparently, from my interpretation of the the sticker on the Elk and the manual, you are required to have a bell (siren) as part of a UL certified system.

Sean

 

[rfdesq]

Sacedog,

Apparently, from my interpretation of the the sticker on the Elk and the manual, you are required to have a bell (siren) as part of a UL certified system.

Sean

I thought he was talking about indoor only. You definitely want a siren for outside.

 

[Sacedog]

Sacedog,

Apparently, from my interpretation of the the sticker on the Elk and the manual, you are required to have a bell (siren) as part of a UL certified system.

Sean

I thought he was talking about indoor only. You definitely want a siren for outside.

Yep, interior only. I plan to have two sirens on the exterior of the house. Also, I am not too interested in a UL install.

 

[rfdesq]

Yep, interior only. I plan to have two sirens on the exterior of the house. Also, I am not too interested in a UL install.

I don't do anymore than that even on my big installs.

 

[Carlton Bale]

Yes, you can call into the ABN. The instructions are posted on the Next Alarm website. Login to NextAlarm Website then choose the "ABN Information" link on the left hand side of the webpage. It give you a choice of two access phone numbera to call, one for west coast and one for east coast. Once the phone connects, you enter your account number and a pin code then it dials your ABN. Once the ELK-M1 answers use the instructions from the M1TWI.

Rod

Would this be possible using an Uplink AnyNet cellular interface?