any way to detect false advertising

[phatstyl]

i know that many fans do NOT live up to there CFM and DBa specs, and was wondering if there was any way i could test the fans to find out there cfm, i know that decibel readout units are for louder devices, mostly above 35dba, but it would be great if i could find a tool to measure some fans.

 

[Phinance]

While I've never tried them (always wanted to, but never got around to it...), Radio Shack does sell sound level meters. Since sound power dissipates with the square of the distance, and fan noise levels are rated generally at 1 meter, you should be able to test these fans at ~8 inches, and be able to detect even the quietest Papst with one of these.
If you get one, let me know - as I said, I've been thinking of purchasing one for a while!