FARBIN Train Horns
Chinese Amazon-only air horn brand established 2014. Compact dual-trumpet kits with integrated compressor, 12V and 24V variants. Aggressive dB claims (150 dB on entry, 178 dB on top model) — physically implausible.
About FARBIN
FARBIN is a Chinese aftermarket air horn brand established 2014, sold primarily through Amazon. The product line covers compact integrated-compressor dual-trumpet air horns for cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and other 12V/24V vehicles. Pricing is at the budget end ($30–$80 typical), positioning FARBIN below Vevor and well below specialty US brands like Wolo or HornBlasters.
The integrated compressor design — compressor, motor, and trumpets in one compact package — eliminates the need for a separate tank. Trade-off: smaller air reservoir means shorter sustained-honk duration than tank-based kits.
FARBIN models
- FARBIN Compact Electric Air Horn (B07TM4K3GK) — single-pack, 12V, 150 dB advertised with wiring harness (Amazon)
- FARBIN 2-pack (B0B3LKCWDX) — same model, 2-pack quantity (Amazon)
- FARBIN B08PVG1NT1 — 12V 150 dB train horn variant (Amazon)
- FARBIN B0B1MVB577 — 12V dual-trumpet chrome-plated with integrated compressor (Amazon)
- FARBIN B0BR81GLS5 — black variant of dual-trumpet (Amazon)
- FARBIN B0BY23PM89 — 24V variant for Class 8 trucks / RVs (Amazon)
- FARBIN 178 dB triple trumpet (B0CJ66LWKK) — top-of-line, 178 dB advertised (Amazon)
Output reality check
FARBIN advertises 150 dB on most models and 178 dB on the top trumpet. Like Viking Horns, these claims are physically implausible:
- 178 dB would beat a real Nathan K5LA cast aluminum locomotive horn (149 dB) by 29 dB / 800× louder. A jet engine at 100 ft is 140 dB. A military shockwave grenade is ~170 dB. 178 dB from a $80 Amazon kit is not achievable.
- 150 dB matches Nathan K5 spec but exceeds it — also implausible from a compact integrated-compressor consumer kit at sub-$50 pricing.
Realistic FARBIN output based on tank/compressor specs and YouTube user-posted measurements:
- FARBIN dual-trumpet integrated compressor — ~120–130 dB at 3 ft realistic. Loud (~30+ dB above stock car horn) but nothing close to advertised 150 dB.
- FARBIN 178 dB triple-trumpet — likely ~130–138 dB at 3 ft realistic. The triple-trumpet adds bell count but the integrated compressor still limits sustained pressure.
FARBIN horns are functional "louder than stock" upgrades — useful for getting attention, signaling, or novelty use. They are not in the same league as actual train horns or even mid-tier kits like HornBlasters Conductor's 228H (147.7 dB at 3 ft, verified).
Why aftermarket buyers pick FARBIN
- Lowest price. $30–$80 for a "complete" integrated-compressor kit is unbeatable. Even Vevor's 4-trumpet kit at $80 is more expensive.
- Compact install. Integrated compressor + 2 trumpets fits in a single under-hood bracket — no separate tank to mount.
- Amazon Prime + return protection. Easy returns if the kit doesn't perform as expected.
- 12V or 24V. 24V variant covers Class 8 trucks and some marine applications.
- Multi-pack options. Some FARBIN listings sell as 2-packs for redundancy or stereo install.
Quality and reliability concerns
- Compressor duty cycle. Integrated compressors are typically 30–50% duty cycle — sustained use causes overheating and motor failure. Not for parade-style continuous-honk applications.
- Diaphragm material. Thinner-gauge diaphragms in cheap kits can distort or fail under sustained pressure.
- Solenoid life. Cheap solenoids may fail after 1,000–5,000 actuations vs 50,000+ for HornBlasters / Viair OEM-grade hardware.
- No warranty. FARBIN warranty (where stated) is typically 30–90 days through Amazon. No long-term manufacturer support.
- Salt-spray resistance. Chrome-plated zinc trumpets corrode in road-salt environments. Northeast/Midwest winter use will degrade the horn over 1–2 seasons.
For occasional use ($30 budget builds, motorcycle novelty, off-road weekend projects), FARBIN is fine. For permanent truck install where reliability matters, step up to HornBlasters Outlaw 127H ($580) or Wolo Dragon Express 854 ($80–$195).
FARBIN vs. competitors
| Feature | FARBIN dual | Vevor 4-Trumpet | Wolo Dragon Express 854 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output (advertised) | 150 dB | 150 dB | 145 dB |
| Output (realistic) | ~120–130 dB | ~135 dB | ~138 dB |
| Tank | None (integrated compressor only) | Often 1.5 gal | None standalone |
| Price | $30–$80 | $80–$130 | $77–$195 |
| Compact install | Yes (smallest) | Mid-size | Mid-size |
| Quality control | Variable | Variable | Better (Wolo OEM heritage) |
Where to buy
- Amazon — primary FARBIN sales channel; multiple variant listings
- FARBIN doesn't appear to maintain a public direct-sales website beyond Amazon
Related pages
Sources
- Amazon — FARBIN 178 dB triple-trumpet
- Amazon — FARBIN compact 12V 150 dB
- Amazon — FARBIN dual-trumpet chrome
- Amazon — FARBIN 24V variant
- Amazon — FARBIN dual-trumpet 150 dB
- FARBIN company background and 2014 founding date — listed on Amazon brand storefront pages
We do not perform hands-on testing — see our methodology. The 150 dB and 178 dB advertised claims are not physically plausible for compact integrated-compressor kits at sub-$80 pricing. Realistic output is in the 120–138 dB range. Treat advertised dB figures as marketing.