Viewing page 3 of 3 pages.
Previous 1 2 3
NEW REFERENCE RECORDINGS
Quite apart from the advantages and disadvantages associated with our new methodology
is a specific drawback related to changing our methodology. Recordings made with the new system are not
comparable to older recordings, making it difficult to compare
old and new products.
Re-recording all of our samples is out of the question — many of our recordings
are of products we no longer have access to, and recording the ones we do
have would take days.
Instead, we have re-recorded a selection of the products that we consider best
in their class. These are reference products that set the standard for low noise,
ones that we come back to time and time again. Hopefully, these new recordings
should help bridge the gap between old and new.
|
REVISED REFERENCE RECORDINGS
|
|
FANS
|
|
Product
|
Old Recordings
|
New Recordings
|
| Nexus Real Silent 80mm |
–
|
|
|
|
| Nexus Real Silent 92mm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nexus Real Silent 120mm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
POWER SUPPLIES
|
|
Product
|
Old Recording
|
New Recordings
|
| Seasonic S12-430 (Rev. 3) |
|
|
|
|
| Seasonic S12-500 (Rev. A2) |
|
|
|
|
| Antec Neo HE 430 (Rev. A4) |
|
|
|
|
|
HARD DISK DRIVES
|
|
Product
|
Old Recording
|
New Recordings
|
| Seagate Barracuda IV ST340016A |
|
|
|
|
| Samsung Spinpoint P80 SP0802N (Nidec) |
|
|
|
|
| Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KS |
|
|
|
|
| Western Digital Raptor 74GB WD740GD |
|
|
|
|
| Samsung Spinpoint MP0402H |
|
|
|
|
| Seagate Momentus 5400.3 ST9160821A |
|
|
|
|
| Western Digital Scorpio WD1200BEVS |
|
|
|
|
In addition to the new reference recordings, the How to Listen &
Compare box that we include wherever there are recordings has also
been updated to reflect the new methodology.
|
OLD
|
NEW
|
|
HOW TO LISTEN & COMPARE
These recordings were made
with a high resolution studio quality digital recording system. The hard
drive was placed on soft foam to isolate the airborne noise that it produces;
recordings do not take into account the vibration noise that hard drives
produce. The microphone was centered 3" above the top face of the hard
drive. The ambient noise during most recordings is 18 dBA or lower.
To set the volume to a realistic level (similar to
the original), try playing the Nexus 92 fan reference recording
and setting the volume so that it is barely audible. Then don't reset
the volume and play the other sound files. Of course, tone controls or
other effects should all be turned off or set to neutral. For full details
on how to calibrate your sound system to get the most valid listening
comparison, please see the yellow text box entitled Listen to the
Fans on page four of the article
SPCR's Test / Sound Lab: A Short Tour. |
HOW TO LISTEN & COMPARE
These recordings were made
with a high resolution, studio quality, digital recording system and are
intended to represent a quick snapshot of what we heard during the review.
Two recordings of each noise level were made, one from a distance of
one meter, and another from one foot away.
The one meter recording is
intended to give you an idea of how the subject of this review sound in
actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a
computer or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches
of ambient noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the
subject. For best results, set your volume control so that the ambient
noise is just barely audible. Be aware that very quiet subjects may not
be audible — if we couldn't hear it from one meter, chances are we
couldn't record it either!
The one foot recording is
designed to bring out the fine details
of the noise. Use this recording with caution! Although more detailed, it may not represent how the subject sounds in
actual use. It is best to listen to this recording after you have listened
to the one meter recording.
|
We've worked hard to make sure that our new recordings sound as close to the
actual products as possible. Not surprisingly, we think our recording system
is the cat's pajamas... but if you disagree, feel free to take an active role
on SPCR and tell
us about it in our forums! We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.
After all, we wouldn't have made the change in the first place if it weren't for several vocal forum members!
| Help support this site, buy from one of our affiliate retailers! |
|
