An apparatus includes a computer enclosure with a first fan, a second fan, a fan controller, and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone indicating an amount of noise at a target location. The apparatus further includes a first actuator coupled to the first fan for adjusting an axial position of the first fan, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first actuator to position the first fan to reduce the noise indicated by the signal from the microphone with the first and second fans in operation. The microphone senses sound pressure and the controller automatically adjusts a position of one or more fans using an actuator to change the distance from the fan to the microphone, which may be co-located with a user, to provide destructive interference at the location of the microphone.