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Two alternative options. They won't help with power consumption, but might with noise.
Enclosure
Are you willing to just put an enclosure around the NAS? It's an approach that I was looking at a while back. Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be much by way of inexpensive, readily-available acoustic enclosures (at least not large enough for a whole mid-tower PC, which is what I cared about...maybe a NAS might be more-doable). It's not rocket science if you're willing to put time in to make one, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMU4V2S-feM
Like, get drywall (cheap, heavy, good for blocking sound). Cut drywall. Glue/nail drywall pieces into shape of box. Cut hole in drywall for in/out fan. Put fans in holes. Use foam sealant to close off cracks. Line interior of drywall with acoustic foam (good for absorbing sound). Put enclosure over NAS, turn on fans.
You might be able to even put tubing around the inflow and outtake if that isn't sufficient; if a computer-style fan isn't enough, it's possible to get variable-speed flex-duct inline fans in quieted housings capable of creating some air pressure, forcing air down the thing, stuff like this.
Just move it
If you wanted something like a USB enclosure, then you'd have some distance restrictions. But you're talking about a NAS, so it's on Ethernet. Ethernet is pretty easy to run about as far as you're going to reasonably want. Just find some location that isn't near anyone and has access to power and where you can get Ethernet to.
Thank you for the suggestions, but this isn't quite what I am looking for. Moving the NAS to another room isn't an option, bedroom and bathroom are even less suitable for a NAS :D
I don't wish to modify the appearance of it either. For one, I've spent quite a lot of time designing and building the enclosure from scratch (it's a unique and original design from my creation). Then, it sits in my TV cabinet and space is an additional concern.
Ah, gotcha. Depending upon the design and how much space it has, that might actually bring up another possibility. Some of the issue with drive noise comes up as it's mechanically-transmitted to the case. If you haven't already, two ways to reduce transmission of drive noise I've seen used is to either mount the drive on silicone or rubber gaskets or -- and this requires more space on a per-drive basis -- suspend it by elastic bands.
I don't know if that's something that would be trivial or a lot of work to add to your custom NAS, but I've done both and found that it was helpful with drive noise transmission to metal cases.
If I were to rework the drive mounting solution, I would probably redo the whole case from scratch. Currently the drives are slotted inside 5.25" bays and theses are assembled together with 3D printed brackets. I have the impression vibration are not transferring too much to the case and outside.
Maybe I can find some rubber damper that would fit around the drives inside the 5.25" bays.
OP asks about HDD technology, and somehow you found a way to ignore the main ask of their question, AND offer a response including a discussion about a hypothetical home renovation.
"I see you want to know X, but I know about construction, so how about Z or Q? Eh?"
Bravo.
OP, WD Red NAS drives are usually 5400 with low cache and go at least up to 10TB. Might have to buy soon, as I don't see much new stock.
I think Tal’s response is fine. People (including me) often ask about help with a solution they’ve already decided on, without explaining why they eliminated other alternatives that would solve their problem. Sometimes it’s good to back it up. Further, there are more than just OP reading the responses so it might apply to others now and in the future.
Hah! Actually I don't know anything about construction, but have worked in a major rotational drive manufacturer's research labs, albeit not on the mechanical side of things.
You're right that it wasn't what OP asked, but I've spent some time reducing PC noise because I was doing some audio work near one, and spent time trying to reduce PC noise. I've also rigged up automated spin-downs and some of the other topics mentioned here. Wanted to aim him at some resources that I'd hit, as I'd found that generally, trying to use low-noise components was more-constraining and less-effective than either moving or damping the source.
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
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