I agree. I have the full HKS cat back system and there is definitely less drone than other ISF setups. Unfortunately, the midpipe isn't sold anymore but I understand the axle back portion is the main drone-eliminating part. Here is a video someone took of my F with the full HKS exhaust (stock headers):


edit: The Novel headers definitely give it a higher pitch tone. With the stock headers, it is more "muscle" sounding.

 

All in all, I feel like the best setup for the car is a headers+valved catback setup. It's similar to the Jekyll/Hyde spirit of the car and the intake noise being Lexus quiet or Fuji Speedway screamy at the push of a button. My second favorite setup is stock headers with Borla Bazooka, or any catback with the mufflers off. Perfect blend of throaty but not much drone and very daily drivable. If you really have big money then equal length headers and HKS or Greddy sounds to be rare and exotic, but many of the videos come off raspy to me, idk why.

I've had a number of combinations over the years: Going off the above video first with my 08:
1-Stock- nearly silent, only sings above 4k. Really disappointing when compared to most any V8 sports car as it's very muffled, but does allow you to enjoy the performance without causing a fuss. I admit as I got older I appreciate this a bit more.
2-Borla catback-minor drone but fairly quiet. Most surprised it didn't sound like this from factory, but had very mild drone. I also tried the RR Racing magnaflow mufflers with quad tips. Sadly no video, but it was only on for a day as it sounded the same as Borla to me, and the tips rubbed on my diffuser which I wasn't comfortable with.
3-Borla catback with muffler delete-similar to RR Racing Bazooka tips. Minimal drone, almost less than Borla with mufflers, but much throatier sound. Loud enough to grab attention, but not too much. One of my favorite exhausts.

On my 2012:
4-PPE Unequal catless headers with Borla catback. Sadly didn't realize till later that I had an exhaust leak. Droned but was quieter than borla with muffler delete. More of a deeper rumble.
5-PPE Unequal catless headers and with Borla with RR Racing Bazooka attachment. Loud. Terrible drone. Sounds like a monster ripping it above 4k. Smile won't come off your face and multiple thumbs up a day, but taking a simple drive to the store or work is a headache. Not daily drivable and good luck with cold start with neighbors. This setup in the video was actually after I installed two small resonators that only helped tone it down maybe 10-15%. Without the resonators it was even louder.. If it was a weekend car I would definitely consider this. This one also got the most view on YT for me. More video here: 6-PPE Unequal headers without cats and with Borla. As mentioned, I added two small resonators and it wasn't enough, so I threw the mufflers back on and now it's quiet and still some drone. Not OEM quiet, and sounds good above 3k, but I want the bark back from the 3rd option I had(Borla with mufflers off but stock headers).

After still being annoyed with drone for my daily driven ISF, I upgraded the catback to Xforce Varex. This is what I wrote on that thread once I upgraded:
With PPE UEL catless headers and Xforce Varex with valves closed there is ZERO drone.It is fantastic and wonderful and just what I wanted. Car is literally 5-10% louder than stock, but sounds more burbly/gargly. Will sound good if I pass someone who likes cars, but won't draw attention to me cruising or with cold starts. I heard that pushing it above 4k rpm makes a weird noise, and it does. Pushing it with valves closed there is a bit of lag, as if gases don't know where to go, and it's kind of an odd but quiet sound. Now please keep in mind I only have about an hour's experience so far all in. With the addition of the smart box I will be able to keep it 10-20% open for quieter days and hopefully avoiding the "weird noise", and it allows a lot of other options of which I've yet to test any. I'm extremely happy because thus far I have hated driving my car more than an hour so far. With valves opened it sounds a bit louder than a catless PPE+Joez/Borla catback. Meaner. Will have to compare side by side to be sure, but surprised even with valves wide open I have less drone than what I had before with PPE+Borla. Maybe my Borla is older or what, I do not know, but even with valves open it is livable and still quieter than the PPE+Borla+Bazooka tip combination. If stock is a 0, Borla is a 2, Borla+header is a 5 and Borla Bazooka +header is a 10 then valves opened I would say I'm a 7, and closed a .5.
Video here:
I also have comparisons of the PPE+ Varex vs Sikky+Varex and vs PPE+PPE dual mode:

 

Does anyone have sound clips of UEL everything else stock or EL everything else stock? Reason is just noise i dont want to much noise and since the headers are bound to crack and best bang for for power.

 

Even after 14 years, the F exhaust sound still sounds amazing. Love this thread.

 

Anyone hear a Tom's Racing axle-back in-person? From photos it seems like a stainless version of the factory design, and this comparison clip reinforces that impression.

 

I have, we've sold a couple sets. Sounds good.

-Josh

 

GReddy racing titanium exhaust ?

 

I like my RR Racing exhaust with RR bazooka tips. Sounds really good if you like the straight pipe sound. But the fitment was horrible! I had to get a muffler shop to bend and weld for the exhaust to fit properly. I had a huge exhaust leak from the header/mid pipe flange until they cut and welded for correct fitment.

 

My setup is PPE UEL catless headers and the rest stock. Drones way too much for me and the wife complains. Like the sound, hate the drone.

Any ideas on what I should do to drown the drone? Thought about removing the secondary cats but don't want to make it worse.

 

Try checking all the connections on headers or engine mounts. I have PPE UEL with xforce varex valved catback and valves closed there is literally zero drone. Compared to your setup I am missing 2 catback cats, so yours should be even quieter.

 

Surprised it would be droney with the stock exhaust. Maybe look at replacing the axleback mufflers to HKS SSM if money permits, known to be quieter than stock.

I will be pairing a PPE UEL, stock midpipe, Tom's Stainless steel Barrel axleback muffler, in the coming months... hopefully it won't be droney.

 

Agreed with others above☝....surprised you feel the car drones with headers and a stock exhaust? You have the secondary cats and the stock mufflers which should do a pretty good job muffling anything coming out the back end