Console showdown: which produces the most noise?
By Darren Murph 
posted January 15th 2007 9:15AM
posted January 15th 2007 9:15AM
As with some other recent reports concerning the trio of new consoles, we're not asserting that this decibel test is entirely accurate, as the methodology was far from scientific, but the results were interesting -- and a bit unexpected -- to say the least. While users have long since complained that the Xbox 360 kicked out an unusual amount of fan noise courtesy of the overheating problems it's been plagued with, one lucky owner of all three consoles found that Microsoft's unit actually wasn't the biggest racket-maker in the bunch, all things considered. By utilizing a standard handheld decibel meter, he measured the ambient sound output of the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 just after start-up, playing games sans an optical disc, and during disc playback to judge which console is noisiest overall. While results were noticeably mixed, it was concluded that the Xbox 360, on average, was actually the quietest of the bunch, and while the PS3 remained fairly calm initially, an extended period of play threw its fans (and consequently, the noise factor) into overdrive. Interestingly, Nintendo's Wii kept nearly silent during bootup, but after playing a few rounds of Wii Sports, it actually became the loudest of the three, clocking in at 70dB, or nearly 8dB higher than the nearest competitor. Granted, most folks won't notice the background whir when the 5.1s are thumpin' and folks are getting rowdy on the last lap of Excite Truck, but c'mon, this is the stuff we geeks are made to scrutinize, so be sure and hit the read link to make of it all what you will.[Thanks, Alex]
WTF! Disgusting engadget! Haven't you guys been owning all three consoles like forever? Listen to your frikkin ears man!
Or have they really started paying you?
Damn foolish journalism!
After I read this complete BS "test", I am sure that when I will disable AdBlock, I will see Microsoft ads all over.
What's with all the complainers. Do people still not understand that Engadet is a blog? and that they link to other blogs? And that, even though they may not supply or even agree with the content, it may be a good idea to post that content so that others may read it? And that because the result of a test is one you disagree with, it doesn't necessarily mean that person has been paid off?
This is kind of sad I have both and 360 is the loudest, this site loses a lot of credibility posting that. goto the AVS forum where the most tech geeks hangout where sound is important to them and by far the majority say 360 is loudest but I guess they are all lying!
--- and while the PS3 remained fairly calm initially, an extended period of play threw its fans (and consequently, the noise factor) into overdrive. ---
...ummmmm "fans"?
"FANS"??????
the PS3 has only ONE fan....
..and I NEVER hear it run.....
Afteraer ding all the other comments left, I am 100% positive this is a BS review and will continue to distrust what I see on your webpage from here on.... IF I come back....
Here is proof that 360 is louder than them all...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvBsDUWm_sk
JAmerican
yeah i own all three and the xbox is by far the loudest of all.
Between a projector fan and the 360, i cant even watch movies on it without getting annoyed, but seeing as how the ps3 is virtually silent it makes for a much better option along with blu ray which really makes the experience a lot better
also when i play gears of war it sounds like a jet preparing to take off behind me