26 120mm Fans Tested and Compared

[Vapor]

I know all that but even if you look at it as if it were a linear graph it still holds some value to consider a straight cfm-per-dB "ratio".

Comparing a Yate Loon SL to a Delta 220CFM behemoth with the same "ratio" just doesn't seem effective, IMO. The most valid considerations to make are: how much noise can you tolerate (or you desire) or how much cooling you need....and then finding the best options from that.

So would you say this conclusion (quoted from myself, above) is accurate?

Yes, that's what the data says...there are other factors that go into choosing a fan, like aesthetics, price, reliability.