A psychoacoustic evaluation and predictive model for computer axial fan sound quality

Cerkovnik, Nejc (author), Murovec, Jure (author), Novaković, Tadej (author), Prezelj, Jurij (author)

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.

• Language: English
• Keywords: axial fans, psychoacoustics, psychoacoustic models, psychoacoustic metrics, sound power
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 237, art. 110749
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-169010
• UDC: 534/535
• ISSN on article: 0003-682X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2025.110749
• COBISS.SI-ID: 234968835
• Publication date in RUL: 07.05.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Applied acoustics
• Shortened title: Appl. acoust.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0003-682X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 24982016

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.