Hey folks,

Any ideas on ways to dampen the fan noise coming from Home Theater equipment? In my case it is the PS3, but I am looking for a general answer. I was thinking about getting some foam or something to redirect the noise, but was wondering if anyone had some innovative ideas.

Here are some photos of our system. Thanks in advance!

http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=DarkDune&folderid=1617

[QUOTE=darkdune;17065788]Hey folks,

Any ideas on ways to dampen the fan noise coming from Home Theater equipment? In my case it is the PS3, but I am looking for a general answer. I was thinking about getting some foam or something to redirect the noise, but was wondering if anyone had some innovative ideas.
[QUOTE]

The best ways to reduce fan noise is to either slow down the fan, or put the whole fan-using equipment some place else. IOW, extend its cables so that you run it remotely.

Slowing down the fan with no other changes reduces equipment cooling. So, this only really works if the fan was running way too fast, or you control and cool the temperatures in the room where the equipment is being used.

Turn up your system, you won't hear any fan then ;)

Excessive noise can also result from insufficient airflow on the intake or exhaust. If a fan cannot freely move the same amount of air that it would if it was standing outside a chassis and just setting on a table, it can cause different sounds depending on the restriction of that airflow.

For instance, if the intake grill is too small or has louvres or something that impedes air flow you will hear the fan motor straining. The same for exhaust ports, e sure there is nothing blocking any intake or exhaust port, even slightly.

You easily demonstrate this by taking a piece of paper and partially covering the intake. Listen to the pitch change. I have had to enlarge the vents on a couple pieces of equipment I have for that very reason.

Buy a standalone Blu-ray/DVD player for "critical" listening.

Why is your equipment under house arrest? :D

Buy a standalone Blu-ray/DVD player for "critical" listening.

Why is your equipment under house arrest? :D

Toddler protection :cool:

Toddler protection :cool:
Already assumed... just a joke.
(although, I personally would have temporarily moved it to take a photo to show off my system.)

There is some gear that I just wouldn't consider removing the fan from and the PS3 is one of them.

What I do in these cases when I really need the thing quiet is put sound deadener between me and the device. It makes a big difference when you use good sound deadener. One thing that I've found works great with low WAF is big thick chunks of left over carpet.

Another approach is to remove the small diameter high spreed fan and fit a larger external lower speed fan. Some fans are quieter than others due to blade design.

Once you create the noise, yo can only get rid of it by friction or absorption. ( 2 muffler techniques) So, you can build absorption mufflers for the intake and exhaust. Think a 4 foot section of pipe insulation.