I have a HOB emperor 400 and it was always decently quiet. After i did my monthly maintance the other day I too noticed it running LOUDER great but LOUD. My g/f says its all in my head since i was messing with it for an hour. Maybe your too being paranoid? I took mine apart again (she went out of town and iam concerned dang it!) and its all good. I have concluded she's right , its in my head. .. .