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Akasa AK-183-L2B Amber Series Fan |
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Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
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Sunday, 01 July 2007 |
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Thanks to Akasa for the product sample.
When it comes to fans, bigger is better. Large fans push more air and do so quieter than their smaller counterparts. The pitch is also quite different: the noise level between a pair of fans can be identical, but the one with the higher pitch will sound louder/more annoying. Several years back every available case was designed for and limited to 80mm fans. Then came dual 80mm versions. Finally, with the addition of some width and optimized motherboard tray placement, 120mm blowers found their way into various chassis.
Akasa has been around long enough to get a good grasp on the current state of the market. Their recently introduced Amber series of case fans is aimed at noise-conscious computer users. Available in 80mm and 120mm sizes, these fans have ratings that no others do, making them unique niche items. Our 120mm sample came in the clear plastic retail package shown above.
Aside from the 3-pin connector, you get a 3-to-4-pin adapter (with a separate 3-pin tachometer wire for speed measurements and a pass-through 4-pin molex connector). This is standard fare with most enthusiast fans and it's nice to see Akasa include it with their offering. You also get 4 self-tapping screws for mounting the fan. Speaking of which, it gets the Amber label from its orange colored blades.
The model number on the motor sticker is AK-183-L2B, rated at 0.18A and 12V for a maximum power consumption of 2.16watts. Obviously, this is a low output fan and you should have no trouble connecting it directly to your motherboard header via the default 3-pin plug. The other ratings are: 1400 RPM, 18 dBA, and 44.8 CFM. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn't mean the fan is completely silent. It's certainly quiet, but still audible. Finally, it appears to be made by Y.S.Tech (as per label), which is a good sign since their fans are known for their performance and reliability.
The fan is somewhat basic. It's enclosed in a clear case with transparent orange blades. Unfortunately there are no LEDs and the blades aren't UV, but we'll forgive them just this once. Still, it would be nice to see one or both of these varieties available as an option. However, the selling point of the Amber series is the somewhat uncommon blend of fan speed and noise levels. I've seen a few slower fans that are on the edge of being inaudible, but most (even those dubbed "quiet") are louder. Akasa did a good job. The fan isn't completely silent, but at the same time it provides sufficient airflow to cool even an enthusiast's mid/high-end system.
Granted, it's possible to achieve such speeds (and even lower ones) with almost any medium output fan and a rheostat, but that's beside the point. This fan is quiet out of the box and is a great choice for anyone looking to build a quiet computer without the manual adjustments. Personally, I'm replacing the stock Antec fan in my parents' Sonata with this one. They'll be happy :)
Pros
- Complete kit
- Unique look: clear case, orange blades
- Very quiet operation with decent airflow
Cons
- UV/LED/UVLED option needed
Akasa's Amber series of fans may not be "ultra quiet" (I would assume that to be silent), but they're close. They also offer good airflow and overall are a great addition to any computer with noise levels as a priority. The ratings are nearly ideal for low output fans. You can find more information here.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 July 2007 )
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