Abstract: A system or appliance for universal mounting of an audio/visual alert system, with a surface interface, having a mounting body mountable on either of a vertical surface or a horizontal surface and one or more electrical terminals. Further having a notification module with a lens configured to throw light 180 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally at greater than 15 cd and a speaker. Further having an appliance cover with a cover body, a letterplate having a first side with a text in a first orientation and a second side with the text in a second orientation, wherein the letterplate is fully separable from the rest of the system; and a grill having a flat outer face.