topic Re: Activating siren in Arlo Ultra

Activating siren

Edinburgh_lad1 — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:33:14 GMT

I've reconnected my old VMB4500 and now have both 4500 and 5000. However, I can activate the siren on the web for both the 4500 and my Ultras, all at the same time, but when I use the app, only the Ultras sound the alarm. Surely it's not meant be like that, is it?

Thanks in advance.

@ShayneS @StephenB

Re: Activating siren

ShayneS — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:29:28 GMT

@Edinburgh_lad1 Thanks for reporting this, does it occur every time? let me look in to this to see if I can replicate and I'll report back as soon as possible.

Re: Activating siren

Edinburgh_lad1 — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:34:02 GMT

I can't check that now because after my base station showed it was online, now it shows as offline. However, I'm awaiting trial firmware so I hope I'll be able to provide more detail.

Re: Activating siren

ShayneS — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:34:07 GMT

Thank you

Re: Activating siren

ittroll — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:27:29 GMT

I've just brought my VMB4500 out of retirement to use it as a siren. I performed the case mod detailed a few years ago in these forums to increase the loudness. For some reason the designers put the siren in a sealed box.

I cut a couple of small holes in the feet so I could access the screws without having to remove the rubber.

Re: Activating siren

Edinburgh_lad1 — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 18:23:45 GMT

@ShayneS

When I want to activate the siren on vmb4500 from within the app, it's not working. My Ultras sound the alarm but not the base station. (Please note that I have both VMB5000 and VMB4500 currently connected and only the former has devices connected to it.)

When I activate the siren via the web, the siren on the Ultras and the siren on VMB4500 activate.

So, something different with the app with the vmb4500 in that it doesn't activate the siren.

Re: Activating siren

ittroll — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:42:03 GMT

It is worth remembering that the Arlo Chime 2 can act as a siren for motion detection. It is only 80dB compared to 100dB from the hub, but it has the flexibility of Wi-Fi rather than requiring a wired network connection.

It is currently on offer at £30 in the UK.

Re: Activating siren

Edinburgh_lad1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:51:35 GMT

How?

Also, it depends on the hub, as the 4500 is definitely not 100db.

Re: Activating siren

jguerdat — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:53:02 GMT

It may be 100dB depending on the distance of the mic from the speaker. Distance has to be defined for accuracy.

Re: Activating siren

ittroll — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:26:55 GMT

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:
How?

You setup a rule which triggers the Chime 2 siren on motion detection. You can have multiple Chime unts if you wish.

https://kb.arlo.com/000062573/Arlo-Chime-2-FAQ

@Edinburgh_lad1 wrote:
Also, it depends on the hub, as the 4500 is definitely not 100db.

Yeah, the 4500 has the same 100dB siren as the 4000 but it inside a closed case. So, Arlo's official rating is 90dB. This is why the case mod above is needed to unlock it's full potential. At 80dB the Chime 2 is going to be much quieter than either, but it is compact and perhaps more convenient.

Re: Activating siren

StephenB — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:32:17 GMT

@jguerdat wrote:

It may be 100dB depending on the distance of the mic from the speaker. Distance has to be defined for accuracy.

Usually this type of spec assumes 1 meter on axis.

I don't think the VMB4500 produces that much sound (no matter what the spec says). The siren itself likely does, but the enclosure muffles it.

Re: Activating siren

ittroll — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:08:41 GMT

The sirens on the 4000 and 4500 are visually very similar. In contrast, the Chime 2 uses a speaker.

Re: Activating siren

Edinburgh_lad1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:51:28 GMT

Cheers.

Can you do the same with gen 1 chimes?

I only have gen 1 chimes as they look much better - because of the piece of material - than gen 2 ones.

Edit: I've found this KB but it refers to the old Arlo app: https://www.arlo.com/en_eu/support/faq/000061947/How-do-I-set-up-Arlo-Chime-as-a-siren

I can see, by the way, that users in Europe are being forced onto the new user interface and with new custom modes.

Re: Activating siren

ittroll — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:12:05 GMT

I would think it is possible. If you already have one you are best placed to test it out.

The new UI has been forced upon us for some time. We are still waiting on the proper replacement for a Custom mode to be rolled out. I agree that Chime 1 looks better, the Chime 2 has more sound options and connects direct to Wi-Fi rather than an Arlo hub.