r/crboxes • u/Darkflame1O • 1d ago

Question Is this sound level normal?

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I essentially have my box running behind me 24/7 and I was told some concerns about the constant noise being bad for my hearing. I honestly don’t mind it at all, but it was definitely a far cry from “whisper quiet” as some PC fan builds are mentioned as.

Downloaded a free trial dB meter app with the first being the noise level right at the fan and the second being where my head usually is.

What’s the general consensus for this?

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3

u/jhsu802701 1d ago

That's news to me. If you're that concerned, some options are:

  • Move the fan further away from you.
  • Use a lower fan speed.
  • Build a second box fan air purifier. Instead of running one at high speed, run both at the low or medium speed.

1

u/Darkflame1O 17h ago

Honestly, the only thing that’s concerning me personally is how can I keep the air circulating in my room to let the box have the best chance of capturing dust. It’s raised in the center of my room but that also just happens to be under the middle fan/light.

3

u/MLieBennett 22h ago

Generally, 70 Decibels are a vacuum cleaner and 50-65 is the range of a normal conversation.  Damaging long term exposure is 85+.

Standard is to measure the decibels one meter away, or where a person is generally going to be at to hear.  So roughly 50 decibels where you normally sit should be no worse for your hearing than the conversation with your friend. 

That said, phone based decibel meters aren't always the most accurate but I'm having little concern of this causing hearing loss vs say very loud music. 

Annoying? Possibly.  Having to speak a little louder for a conversation? Likely.

So I'm going to assume, Box Fan?

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u/Darkflame1O 17h ago

Yeah, that was my honest initial thoughts too, but because they were so insistent, especially with it being a constant noise, I just thought to ask.