What's up guys, so I installed my Tanabe axle-back not too long ago. I love it, but I'm wondering if it's droning. The reason I saw wondering is because this is the first aftermarket exhaust I've ever had and I don't quite know how to identify it.

When on the highway, at 2k-3k RPM's, the exhaust just resonates through the cabin. It sounds like a really loud hum. To drown it out, I have to turn up the radio 3/4 of the way. But I was unsure if the was drone, or simply the exhaust note. Either way, it is quite annoying considering it falls right into my highway cruising speed RPM range. It's always there.

Then yesterday, I had an idea to test if it was drone or not. I sped up to like 95 so my RPM's were out of the mentioned range. To my surprise, the exhaust , not the engine, actually got quieter. And the sound was no longer a penetrating hum. This lead me to believe that it is "drone" . The only reason I'm skeptical is because I thought the Tanabe wasn't supposed to have much if not any drone at all. Let alone at the worst possible RPM range. So does this sound like drone? Would you guys be able to tell from a video clip?

If so, I might have to get rid of it.

 

What you're describing sounds like drone, but the rpm range is a bit higher than where it typically shows up, and it's usually a smaller window. My TopSpeed Y-back on my sedan has a drone window of 1500 to 1800 rpm, as do many of the aftermarket exhausts for our VQ motor. It's is a deep bass hum/rumble would be my description.

 

If all you have exhaust wise is the tanabe, It should not drone at all.
The coupes are a bit louder than the sedans tho.

 

Would you be able to tell from a sound clip?

 

Does the sound hurt your ears at all? If yes then it is drone.

If not then thats just the sound of the tanabe exhaust.

 

I have Tanabes on the SEDAN and there is drone on low rpms, especially noticeable in a higher gear like 6-7. drone usually happens around 1500-2000 RPMS. This has been confirmed and verified by many other members on the board.

Tanabes drone at least on the sedan. Those who say they don't have a higher threshold of what drone is and isnt.

The drone however is subtle and does not "hurt my ear" like the above post would put it, but it is drone nonetheless. Can still carry a conversation in the car without issues.

The sound is a low bass like hum.