With my desired screen size, the placement of my desired projector (Optome HD141X) is right above my head (approx. 1m far as the seating is elevated in the room).
I am a projector novice and thus I am not sure how much noise can the projector generate in such short proximity. The specified noise is 26dB, however, I am not sure at which distance is this measured?
So to my main question – is it worth looking at another projector, most likely short-throw, that would be mounted closer to the screen and thus further from my seating location? (3m far away for the short throw).
I quite like the projector I found and the price seems reasonable but I have no idea what to expect in terms of noise, and I would be sitting quite close..
Best Answer
Just as a frame of reference, 26dB is about the sound level of a person breathing. Typically these are measured at a distance of a meter from the source. Whether or not this will be objectionable is mainly a question of personal preference (and how much other sound sources such as your speakers mask it). My suggestion would be to pick up a computer case fan with a comparable decibel rating, put it where the projector will go and see if it would be a problem for you.
As far as increasing distance goes, it will obviously help. Sound level drops by roughly 6dB for every doubling of the distance, so at 2 meters it should be barely perceptible and at 4 meters you would have to try really hard to pick it out.
Bear in mind that 26dB is the claimed decibel rating, and the actual noise level you perceive can vary depending on frequency, vibrations in whatever it's attached to, etc.