Ian Minogue-Corps
Inspired
Ok, I know it might appear facile but it drove me bloody mad with my Axe-Fx 2, is there a fan and how annoying is it ? . I will probably still succumb after all the hubbub has died down but enquiring minds etc
what is the question?
what is the question?
I don't want to come off as critical (as the Axe-III is amazing in many ways)… but the fan noise is slightly annoying to someone working in a quiet studio environment. I replaced the original fan (same as I did with the three Axe-FX II XL+ units I owned)… and it's quieter... but not where I'd ideally like it.
I wish FAS would design a mod for the mounting system that would allow using a low RPM 120mm fan.
They're easy to find, quiet, and move a large amount of air. In fact, you could probably use a speed-controller on the 120mm fan... and still have enough air being moved to cool the Axe-FX III. That would eliminate fan noise.
Could be an optional paid upgrade...
In a live environment, the fan noise is moot.
In the Axe-Fx III, air velocity is important. It’s not how much air the fan moves, but how much air it moves over the heat sink. Low-RPM fans achieve their low RPMs by making the fan wider, thereby spreading the air movement over a larger area. The air that’s not hitting the heat sink is wasted cooling, and it can actually work against you by raising adjacent air pressure and reducing outflow from the heat sink.I don't want to come off as critical (as the Axe-III is amazing in many ways)… but the fan noise is slightly annoying to someone working in a quiet studio environment. I replaced the original fan (same as I did with the three Axe-FX II XL+ units I owned)… and it's quieter... but not where I'd ideally like it.
I wish FAS would design a mod for the mounting system that would allow using a low RPM 120mm fan.
They're easy to find, quiet, and move a large amount of air. In fact, you could probably use a speed-controller on the 120mm fan... and still have enough air being moved to cool the Axe-FX III. That would eliminate fan noise.
Could be an optional paid upgrade...
In a live environment, the fan noise is moot.
I am actually a little upset because I don't think my AXE FX III came with a fan.Does the III have a fan & if so, how annoying is it, apparently.
yes, it has a fan, the first one I got it was real annoying, sent it back, got one that was even worse so they sent me a replacement fan that is still audible but bearable.
I am actually a little upset because I don't think my AXE FX III came with a fan.
My fan is so quiet that I think they forgot to put one in my unit.
I would tear the whole unit apart to see if I have one and it"s working, but I don't want to void the warranty..
Does that answer your question?
That said, you can replace the 80mm fan in the unit with a higher quality 80mm with dual self leveling fluid bearings, better shroud design etc for some improvements. They current fan cost like $5, a Noctua cost like $20 and is a bit better in terms of noise and is rated for about 4 times as long.
80mm? is it that big? Well I guess its processor is a little bigger than the Ultra's
I have perfect hearing, some tell me I have xray hearing, LOL but my Axe is in a rack and that will help.As Cliff once smartly suggested...if you want to cool off a bowl of hot soup, do you open your windows or turn on your AC and cool the whole house ? No, you just blow on the bowl of soup to cook it down. Same principle applies with regards to cooling a dsp heat sink
Also it’s worth mentioning that people all have different hearing thresholds. I see patients with thresholds of 10 and 5 dB and I see patients who can’t even be aware of sound until it’s 3OdB+. The “loud” fan to someone with great hearing may be a “silent” fan to someone with a little loss.
Also keep in mind a rack case is going to dampen the sound quite a bit, so someone who says it’s silent in their rack might be hearing it differently than someone who has it sitting naked in their desk.