We've recently been discussing the horn upgrade, esp with the PIAA sports horn. As you know there are 2 varieties of the PIAA: 1) low pitch: one 400 Hz horn coupled with a 500 Hz which sounds like a typical American car. 2) high pitch: 500 Hz combined with 600 Hz which sounds like a typical European car. HAS ANYONE TRIED TO COUPLE THE 400 HZ WITH THE 600 HZ? I wonder what that would sound like?? It would be a little bit of trouble getting the parts for that combination since they're not sold like that, but I'd be interested in hearing it...
Why not go to your nearest auto salvage lot -- formerly a "junk yard" -- and get some dual-tone European horns. Pull the horns from a Mercedes, Volvo, Audi, BMW, etc. They should go for $10 -$15 the pair. Sometimes they are the "biscuit" type, but are almost twice the size of the Prius OEM horn. Sometimes they are PIAA or FIAMM "horns." This is what I've done, and the FIAMM horns sound great. :rockon: There are a number of threads here with tips on how to install them too. Use the search tool to find them. :cheer2: PS: I like your bug avatar too.
I just checked Amazon, for 39.95 you could buy another set that included the frequency you do not have. That way you could have 400Hz, 500Hz, and 600Hz.... The farther the tones are apart in frequency, phase addition and cancellation happen less often resulting in a sound that would, by not beating as often make the horns less noticeable. I believe it would lower the pitch of the overall sound... You know for Prius Chat "BONUS POINTS" you could buy a set and report back with a You Tube link of your results...that would be nice! Unfortunately, I have spent this months allowance on "Brake Light Pulsar" and "One Touch Turn Signal" modules, which work wonderfully by the way, so I can not purchase the horns myself! Buy the way, that is a very good question! I myself have pondered that very horny thought!!!
I bought the PIAA 500/600 set, but I don't have the electrical skills to install them, so I'm waiting to do have the dealership do it at my first oil change. But yeah, those bonus points really do sound tempting...I haven't really contributed much on here yet...
Get the dealership to install them if you have too much money, otherwise you will get it done a lot cheaper by an auto electrician. Some come to you. It's really easy to do and no special Prius skills required.
hey, I have a friend who does fire trucks and such and we installed a police siren in my 07 black prius!!! it has the different sounds and tones just not the PA. ( tried to talk him into it he said no) thought it would be great when the people dont hear you coming in the parking garage!!!! I love getting stuck in traffic and hitting that tone that goes BRRRRRR for 2 sec or so people MOVE than... good luck with your horn install
