How Noisy Are They?

[human]

As I've gotten older and my hearing has changed significantly due to tinnitus (too many loud rock and roll shows in my youth), I have found that the threshold between 'pleasant' and 'unpleasant' sounds has changed. A lot of sounds that once didn't bother me are now excruciating. It's often as much a function of pitch as volume, but I wear earplugs much more frequently than I used to in loud environments.

 

[mike811]

I am quite sensitive to unpleasant sounding vacuums. Especially high pitched vacuums are unbearable for me.
Some examples are older Dysons with multi cyclone design. DC 07 is worst I can think of.
Tone of the sound is most important. For example my Kirby Gsix is loud, but it is quite neutral for my ears.
Lux Royal D790 is extremely smooth/quiet sounding and Black&Decker AirSwivel is loud
high pitched screamer.

 

[real1shep]

For me anyway, I'm more interested in the comparative differences in the vacs than the actual decibel level. If something hurts your ears or you hear ringing afterward, get rid of it or stay away from it.


 


Selfishly, I'd be interested in the Electrolux vacs from the G to the Diamond J. I'm betting the DJ is significantly louder than all previous Electrolux vacs? The G is the most powerful, sound pleasing vac I have....the ol' Electrolux whoosh! And the Hospital G's were quieter yet.


 


Kevin

 

[human]

While my Super J and Diamond J are both a bit louder than either of my 1205s, they are not excessively so and to me, their sound is well within the bounds of acceptability because the pitch is relatively low--not exactly a subwoofer rumble, but nowhere near a banshee scream, either. Usually, I'm more aware of the motor/brush roll sound from the power nozzle than from the canister, regardless of which power nozzle I use. Without the power nozzle running, the sound of rushing air is actually more prominent than that of the electric motor. This to me has always been a hallmark of classic Electrolux quality.

 

[real1shep]

Agree...even though the Diamond J is my loudest vac, it's still nowhere near some screaming threshold. Good point on the PN's because that's a combined noise with the canister. Poorly made, they could easily throw sound over a comfortable threshold.


 


I have a Super J, but it's not restored yet and I haven't had enough time to evaluate the noise threshold with it. Rather than stick an aftermarket motor in there, I opted to buy a rewound armature. My ex has her mother's Super J and I've used it.....I think the Diamond J is louder.


 


The 1205 I think by design, is a bit louder than my G...the G rocks for sound level and a powerful vac.....it's amazing.


 


Kevin

 

[n0oxy]

noise levels

I also dislike the screamers, but unfortunately that is quite common now, most vacuums use one stage motors that spin very fast. I think the Electrolux 1205 actually has a very pleasant sound, I definitely prefer the sound of the two stage motors, they don't tend to have that high pitch sound that is so annoying.

 

[real1shep]

Obviously....

it was a move forced by the bean counters that figured you could get the same results with a smaller motor(less fan stages) at a higher RPM(single-stage motors). Like they say, the rest is history. Even if they can achieve that to some degree, longevity is not comparable to the older dual-stage designs. Maybe you could make a quality single-stage motor that lasts indefinitely too, but that was never the intent.


 


Kevin