Looking for Quiet External HD...

01-25-11: Larry_s
An idle drive, just spinning, will have some noise but nothing an enclosure won't muffle.

Yes, I suspect it's the enclosure that's the issue: aluminum, essentially open at the front, and little if any sound deadening material or soft rubber bushings inside.

It's this DataTale model.

It's the drive supplied by Mach2 Music with their server package.

I decided to make my own quiet enclosure. I wrapped five sides in acoustic absorption foam intended to quiet the inside of computer towers. I left the back open, hoping this affords enough ventilation for cooling.

Ugly as hell, but it works.

I've ordered an Oyen MiniPro 2.5" Firewire 800 portable drive.

We'll see how the noise level compares to the DataTale 3.5" FireWire 800/400. The MiniPro spins at 5400rpm versus the 7200rpm of the DataTale. The MiniPro is approved for use with ProTools.

Perhaps what's required for my installation is a sound insulated box or cover that can be placed over the drives. It could be open in back.

Do u use dc power supply unit for this ext hard drive? Reason for asking is because most ext hard drives come with wal warts. More noisy.

Bought my server with 1TB installed at www.endpcnoise.com . I LOVE it! comletely silent! relize you are looking for brands and an external hard drive. If you have to ask? I left it to the experts. no issues just enjoyment. p.kogan