A system and method for reducing MRI-generated acoustic noise is disclosed. A system control of an MRI apparatus causes a plurality of gradient coils and an RF coil assembly in the MRI apparatus to generate pulse sequences that each cause an echo train to form and acquire blades of k-space data of the subject of interest from the pulse sequences, with the blades being rotated about a section of k-space compared to every other blade. The system control also causes the plurality of gradient coils to generate gradient pulses in each pulse sequence having an optimized gradient waveform that reduces an acoustic noise level generated thereby and causes the RF coil assembly to generate a 180 degree prep pulse subsequent to generation of an RF excitation pulse and prior to generation of a first RF refocusing pulse, the 180 degree prep pulse minimizing echo spacing in the echo train.