I very much agree with you - I would use more fans on the outside enclosure, possibly behind more barriers so the sound is never direct (it has to bounce off walls before getting out). Eg a vent cover on the outside or simply vents mounted inside the case.
(Possibly also keeping the positive pressure inside the enclosure for dust control.)
However there might be an argument about HDD noise that is fairly particular to the drive models.
Maybe op just doesn’t like noisy HDDs & isn’t that bothered by fans (I centrally am more bothered by enterprise HDD noise than the noise of quality fans), so the solution is HDD oriented.
(And yes, I do pick my HDDs by noise too.)
Hamknight@lemmy.world 14 minutes ago
I have an intake on the bottom pulling cold air, and the top is for exhaust. Both are 3000 rpm fans and together keep the tennis real low. I added the current tennis in a comment while it’s running full tilt