there are multiple ways to make the engine less noisy. in corolla they have this in the same box where the Air filter fits. it all depends on the Design of the box. the aim is just to reduce the sound of the air suction. honda uses a different approach, they think that this big empty box will have enough air into it at anytime to complete the demand of the engine and not to suck any thing direct which will set on top of air filter which will clog it. this sound box works same for the air intake system as a surge tank works for the Fuel system of engines which require filtered high pressure of fuel at all times.