I installed an Android app called Sound Meter Pro on my tablet.
I realize my Samsung Tab S 8.4 is does not have a professional microphone, but it’s better than just guessing should levels.
My semi-obnoxious laptop fan sound level is around 5 dB higher than ambient.
Interesting, because I don’t like the fan sound.
Now I realize the level of sound is not what I don’t like, it’s the actual sound that’s irritating.
It’s a whining sound.
I performed a similar test with my first and second Roku 4.
The first, with fan at 25%, sound level is around 3 dB higher than ambient.
However, the whining, buzzing noise is irritating even when 15 feet away in the same room.
The second, with fan at 25%, sound level is also around 3 dB higher than ambient.
However, this sound is not irritating.
The difference is there’s no whining, buzzing noise.
It just sounds like a quiet fan.
My audiophile son agrees.
I’m returning the first Roku 4, and hope to receive a replacement as quiet as my second.
That being said, I’m still not sold on the idea of having even a quiet fan running all night in my bedroom.
So, I will be setting the 30 minute auto power off timer, and probably manually force a power off when ready for bed.