May I ask where you are located? (city, state, zip code)?
I have a Newer Tech Ministack version 2 external enclosure (http://www.newertech.com/downloads/nwtmanmfwu2msv28page.pdf) 500 GB Western Digital IDE / PATA 7200 rpm drive in it (bought brand new many years ago, no longer under warranty, but alway trouble free and lightly used).
Hard drive is not outrageously loud (no high pitched whine, just moderate idle noise), but the exteranl case also has a small fan that is rather noisy. Should keep hard drive cool, but probably not ideal for music listening if hard drive is close by.