Alarm clocks are meant to tell the time and to wake you up or catch your attention at a set period. Clockmakers install all sorts of noise devices from bells, to chimes, to small gongs and even electronic high pitched notes for this purpose. So it’s only natural that people expect it to be really loud. So how loud is a typical alarm clock? Well enough to shock your senses, but it can be adjusted to your preference.
You can always expect your alarm clock to have a high note that is continuously piercing. But some alarm clocks can have a pattern to the tune, a mixture of low pitched to high pitched sounds. Some can be musical like those found in music boxes. There are designs of electronic pieces that even allow you to choose from a myriad of electronic tunes from different musical instruments. Some can even be set to sound off your favorite radio station or television station when it alarms.  
When you look at antique pieces of clocks, the chimes are unmistakably loud as these timepieces were usually located in a central part of the house. Being big, these clocks emitted a loud but muffled hollow chiming tone that reverberated throughout the house.
But whether you buy an antique or a modern one, most alarm clocks are meant to ring very loudly. Just don’t place your alarm clock to close to your ears; its high sound volume can permanently damage your ear drums.
There are different designs, shapes and colours of alarm clocks. You can choose from a variety of sizes and with different built in alert tones. The electronic one’s have volume controls so you can choose your level of noise tolerance.