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Cancelling Out CPU Fan Noise
Percy_Blakeney writes "After realizing how noisy his computer was, a professor at BYU has created a new CPU fan that uses small microphones and speakers to cancel out its own noise. It isn't perfected yet -- it only nixes the whine, not the whoosh -- but it looks like it could be promising, especially given the professor's background: making jet engines quieter."
No, they mesurably change sound slightly (at least the ones I like). I've checked with actualy measuring equipment. It's not much, I'm not sure I could pick it out in a blind A/B test, but it's real. I figure why not? Doesn't hurt anything, and ensures that the sound isn't going to change on me. I use my speakers quite a bit for mixing and mastering, so I need the sound to be consistent.
You'll also notice that your articles are talking about CABLE break in. Yes, that is a crock of shit, as are high end cables. I use normal braided copper wire in nice sheaths. Speakers are a different matter. They are actual moving parts. As such there is a slight difference in stiffness at manufacture than after some work.
I'm not going to run around claiming that all those who have never burned in their speakers are missing out on some awesome experience. Speakers burn them selves in with normal use. It's simply to give them the equivalant of a bit of use to normalize the sound and get past any slight changes that are going to happen.