How much diff with 2dba between fans?

[moosey]

Will a sound difference really be noticable going from a 33dba to a 35dba 92mm fan?

 

[Finnkc]

ummm you could notice the sound change if you had the 2 becide each ... however if you had one over the other ... very little difference in sound level.

 

[Davegod]

I doubt it tbh, and plausably newer bearings etc would mean the "louder" fan is actually quieter anyway. note dBa readings on fans are normally a tad suspect and hardly comparable anyway.

 

[Mr N8]

I believe the difference is a 20% increase. Not very noticeable, but as Davegod said, the db ratings aren't usually that accurate.

 

[nick1985]

hardly any

 

[Davegod]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
I believe the difference is a 20% increase. Not very noticeable, but as Davegod said, the db ratings aren't usually that accurate.

someone on AT linked a good explanation once but best i found on a very quick google was http://www.noisecontrol.net/whatisnoise.html "The amplitude of sound is expressed in decibels (dB). This is a logarithmic compressed scale dealing in powers of 10 where small increments in dB correspond to large changes in acoustic energy." and later "A 5 dB change is more than a 50% change in acoustic energy!!!". Same site also shows a difference between dB and dBa...

however, I dont think that means 30dB is perceived as 50% louder than 25dB... have a look at the little table on the page linked (the one with headers: Sound Level Change | Acoustic Energy Loss | Relative Loudness ).

 

[yruffostsif]

By scientific terms, close to unnoticeable, but if it is a different manufacturer than the other one, then the shape of the blades, type of motor/drive, and type of housing would dictate it's tone. Where there may be no difference in measured sound, that doesn't make up for the acoustic properties of the fan. That's what makes rating fans are so objective.