While both a powerful fan and speakers playing white noise at high volume can provide some level of noise cancellation, they work in different ways and have different effectiveness for canceling specific types of noise, such as bass.
A powerful fan creates a constant airflow that can help mask or drown out background noise, including some low-frequency sounds. It creates a continuous sound source that can help reduce the perception of other sounds, including bass frequencies. However, its effectiveness in canceling specific frequencies, especially low-frequency bass, may be limited.
On the other hand, speakers playing white noise at high volume can also help mask background noise, including bass frequencies. White noise contains equal energy at all frequencies, and by playing it at a high volume, it can effectively cover a wide range of frequencies, including bass. This can help reduce the audibility of the bass sounds you want to cancel.
However, it's important to note that neither a powerful fan nor speakers playing white noise can truly cancel out specific frequencies or provide active noise cancellation like dedicated noise-canceling headphones. They can only provide some degree of masking or reduction of ambient noise.
If you are specifically looking to cancel bass frequencies, you may find that speakers playing white noise at high volume are more effective than a fan. However, it's important to consider that playing white noise at high volume for extended periods can be tiring to the ears and may have potential health risks. It's recommended to use them at a comfortable volume level and give your ears regular breaks.
If you require more effective noise cancellation, especially for specific frequencies like bass, investing in dedicated noise-canceling headphones or soundproofing solutions may be more suitable.