20.500.12556/RUL-169010 A psychoacoustic evaluation and predictive model for computer axial fan sound quality Efficient cooling solutions are essential for high-performance computing environments, but the noise generated by axial fans in these systems can have a negative impact on user comfort and productivity. Traditional fan design relies primarily on overall sound pressure level (OSPL) and A-weighted spectra to assess noise, but these measures cannot successfully capture the subjective perception of sound quality and annoyance. This study fills this gap by incorporating psychoacoustic metrics into fan design, focusing on computer axial fans and examining the effects of various operational and geometric modifications on perceived sound quality. Using a combination of acoustic measurements in an anechoic chamber, psychoacoustic analysis and listening tests with 100 participants, critical correlations between psychoacoustic properties — such as loudness, sharpness, roughness, fluctuation strength and tonality — and subjective annoyance ratings are identified. The results suggest that fans with high airflow have increased low-frequency components that are perceived as “powerful”, while high-frequency components correlate strongly with negative perceptions, including descriptions of fan noise as “cheap” or “malfunctioning.” To account for these nuances, we propose a new Psychoacoustic Annoyance (PA) model that accurately correlates calculated metrics with subjective assessments, enabling rapid, objective evaluations of fan noise quality without extensive listening tests. In addition, our results show that certain design modifications, such as backward-swept blades and chamfered intake edges, effectively reduce high-frequency noise and tonality. However, these improvements are sometimes accompanied by slight reductions in aerodynamic performance, highlighting the need for efficient fan designs that balance cooling performance and acoustic comfort. These findings form the basis for future axial fan designs that minimize noise annoyance, making them suitable for quieter and more comfortable indoor environments. axial fans psychoacoustics psychoacoustic models psychoacoustic metrics sound power true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Članek v reviji 2025-05-07 08:55:57 2025-05-07 08:56:04 2025-05-08 04:19:54 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 12 str. Vol. 237, art. 110749 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 534/535 0003-682X 10.1016/j.apacoust.2025.110749 234968835 Cerkovnik_..._A_psychoacoustic_evaluation_....pdf Cerkovnik_..._A_psychoacoustic_evaluation_....pdf 1 BB785F894E5BB5E589D67D053B5325D6 91411ff0df9d9a445260fd7f3d68b6d500fa75f44f0e0c7aaad0f4154206b6e5 94dc70b1-2b0f-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=210117 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003682X2500221X 1 272adc97-2b0f-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=210115 Fakulteta za strojništvo 0 0 0