Well, as for using the powerhead on the Rainbow SRX to clean bare floors, I think they are trying to replicate what most people will use it at home. The reality is, unless they have a second set of wands, most people won't use the floor brush. So to me, that is a realistic bare floor cleaning test, as it simulates what the consumer can expect in real life conditions used in the way most people will use it.
The poor cleaning and filtration results for the Sirena doesn't surprise me. The powerhead uses horsehair bristles and looks poorly designed. Plus it's made in China with a Italian made motor. Go ahead and pull up a parts schematic for the Sirena and see the low quality components used. The vacuum is poorly made Chinese junk! If I bought a Sirena, I would immediately swap out that powerhead for a Wessel Werk EBK340.
One other thing Tom didn't point out that would affect the filtration is the HEPA Filter on it is small....not much surface area compared to the Rainbow....and it's a washable HEPA Filter. Those DO NOT provide quality filtration, the proof of that is that there is currently no other high end canister brand besides Rainbow and Dyson that claims to use a washable HEPA Filter. Also, if you read the user manual for the Sirena, interestingly they recommend changing the HEPA Filter every 18 months....very strange they would suggest that for a washable HEPA Filter. I think that's pretty much an admission they know the filter is low quality. So, when you take into consideration that Consumer Reports most likely would have filled the water basin to the minimum line suggested in the user manual and not fill it up to the max fill line like Mark has said here he does with his Sirena, that explains the poor filtration results in their tests. Even if they did fill the water basin to the max line, it would only make a slight improvement in the vacuum's filtration.
The ONLY WAY I would buy a water filtration vacuum now if I wanted one, is I would buy a used Rainbow E Series 1 speed with the GS Electric motor, have new carbon brushes installed, buy a spare motor and spare set of carbon brushes, any other spare parts needed, buy the 4 quart basin for extra capacity and carpet extraction, and replace the powerhead with a used Kenmore powerhead without the quick release or a Wessel Werk EBK340. You don't need the low speed for air cleaning....who would REALLY use it for that anyways?!....and thanks to parts being available for the E2 Black, you coukd upgrade the hoses, shampooer and any attachments you want and get a QUALITY water filtration vacuum that cleans carpets properly, can be used as a carpet extractor that deep cleans properly, and will last a lifetime. That's the ONLY WAY you could get me to make a signifigant investment in a water filtration vacuum. Unfortunately, the other competitors available in the market are either low quality, are brands with questionable future parts availability, don't have good cleaning power and carpet cleaning performance, poor filtration, or don't have good attachments or many optional attachments available without having to jury rig something. The fact of the matter is, for water filtration vacuums, Rainbow is the best option right now, IF you are willing to buy a used E Series.
Rob
