A data storage system and a method of controlling the acoustic noise generated by a storage drive of a data storage system. The data storage system includes a system controller (70) and a storage drive (60) adapted to operate in a selected operational state of a plurality of operational states. Each operational state generates a corresponding acoustic noise level and performance level. The system controller (70) includes a system profile (76) and is adapted to: receive a variable parameter; use the variable parameter as an index to the system profile to autonomously select one of the operational states as the selected operational state; and transmit a control signal to the storage drive (60). The control signal corresponds to the selected operational state and causes the storage drive to enter the selected operational state, thereby controlling the acoustic noise and the performance level of the storage drive in response to the at least one variable parameter.
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