How Noisy Are They?

[kirbysthebest]

A good study

Some of the variables will be your sound field quality.  Sound field quality is why your voice always sounds better in the shower or small bathroom than  over a large auditorium. 


But it also has an effect on scientific measures.  Ex, background noise and fixtures in the room will altar or dampen the sound in the room.  This is why sound suites are sound treated in an attempt to measure without these variables. 


 


"So any noise maker that runs at 77dB, rather than 87dB will sound half as loud, which is quite significant. " 


Decibel dB levels are in fact logarithmic, but you are measuring the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) not the loudness.    87dB is at  a level that experts would recommend hearing protection while using.  "Most experts agree that continual exposure to more than 85 decibels is dangerous."


 


Though somewhat correct when making scientific measures one wants to be aware and avoid psychoacoustic terms "loudness" "perception" when making measurements. 


 


 This would be for example when someone says a certain power nozzle is nosier than another, when in fact the perception may be that it is nosier, but in fact when measured it is the same or quieter as the listener is perceiving the increased loudness because the reference machine it is attached to is quieter hence making the power nozzle sound louder. 


 


Here is a chart that may give some reference to other household items. 


 


<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sound sources (noise)
Examples with distance</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">   Sound pressure   
Level </span><span style="font-family: Times;">L</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">_{<span style="font-size: small;">p</span>} dB SPL</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Jet aircraft, 50 m away</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">140</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Threshold of pain</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">130</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Threshold of discomfort</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">120</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Chainsaw, 1 m distance</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">110</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Disco, 1 m from speaker</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">100</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Diesel truck, 10 m away</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">90</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Kerbside of busy road, 5 m</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">80</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Vacuum cleaner, distance 1 m </span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">70</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Conversational speech, 1 m</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">60</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Average home</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">50</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Quiet library</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">40</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Quiet bedroom at night</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">30</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Background in TV studio</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">20</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Rustling leaves in the distance</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;">10</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> Hearing threshold</span> <span style="font-family: Arial;"> 0</span>


 


I do commend you and taking the time to do this study.  It would be interesting if you had access to a sound suite where you did not have competing ambient noise in your measures.


 


 Sorry, the chart's formatting fell apart when it was pasted to this post.


 



http://www.sengpielaudio.com/TableOfSoundPressureLevels.htm

 

[durango159]

I don't even think a Hoover Tempo is that loud!!

I find it interesting that the loudest vacuum on this test is a Hoover Tempo Widepath and to me that machine is not loud!!

I'd want to know if for these uprights if the brush roll was touching the carpet or if the handle was in the upright position with brush roll up. As we all know, machines are louder with brush rolls raised above the floor!

Also that being said, I'd like to have a Eureka Powerline/ Bravo Boss style tested or a Dirt Devil Vision Turbo!! Those are loud machines.

For me tone is a big thing. Decibel wise my Hoover Celebrity canister is probably loud especially if it's sitting on a bare floor as opposed to a carpet. But tone wise it's pleasant to my ears. In contrast a Eureka Maxima upright probably is not as loud decibel wise compared to other machines on the market but the sound is full of high pitched sounds and air rushing leaks almost. It's a very unpleasant combination that makes it harder for me to bear compared to some others!!

 

[wyaple]

All Tests Were Performed With Spinning Brushrolls

Durango159,

All my tests were performed "live" as it were, with all power nozzles properly adjusted and spinning on medium pile carpet. The handles were "engaged" as if a typical person was actually vacuuming. As far as the Hoover Widepath goes on bare floors, it is much louder. I'll have to measure it and post back in this thread soon.

I can say this, after 20-30 minutes using the Widepath on carpet, my ears do ring slightly for a while after I am finished.

Bill

 

[durango159]

On a barefloor I could definitely see it being much louder. I only use a canister vac with bare floor brush for hard floors. Or a separate extra long hose system to attach to hose on an upright for bare floors.

My experience of seeing uprights with brush rolls turning on a bare floor leads to terribly scratched and sometimes broken baseplates, significant wear on brush rolls, floor damage to linoleum or a waxed tile, only larger dirt is removed, not finer dust.

If a Hoover Tempo Widepath makes your ears ring, I highly recommend the use of ear protection should you ever try an Oreck upright or any lightweight 8/ 9 pound upright, Eureka Bravo, Boss type unit and just about any Dirt Devil bagless.

I'm not sure which is louder or if they're about the same but a Bissell PowerForce Bagged vs. Hoover Tempo Widepath?? Most of the Bissells sound the same, so if you had a reading of the 2 most popular: Bagged or Bagless PowerForce from Walmart then you'll be prepared to hear most other Bissell uprights with exception of a slight few like the Lift Off which with the dual motor system, it is pleasant sounding.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[wyaple]

Test Results For Tempo Widepath On Hard Surfaces...

is about 88-89 dBC using the brushroll in a large bathroom. Using the tools in the same bathroom (handle upright and locked), I saw peaks of 90-91 dBC. Yup, it's a screamer!

That Hoover does a great job cleaning, especially when you consider the price (still sells for about $75), but should come with a loudness warning or a set of earplugs in the box.

Bill

 

[wyaple]

Collection Has Grown So Here's More Tests

From 6 to 15 machines now. Of note is the 2012 Simplicity. It is now tied with my two oldest vacs for the quietest floor nozzle operation. Rounding out the loudest group is both of my Hoover canisters (1988 & 2003).

Bill

 

[vacerator]

Eureka Oxygen

(Electrolux) model 6997; 72 decibels minus power head.

 

[wyaple]

Yay! Somebody else posted their measurements!

Say, was that 72 dB, dBA or dBC? If it was "A", please tell me what the "C" reading was...

Anyway, sounds (ha!) like your machine is pretty quiet.

Bill

 

[wyaple]

Adding 14 More Entries to This Table

Up to 20 tested machines now...

The green shade indicates quietest and the red shade indicates loudest in the noise columns.

Bill

 

[kloveland]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">I remember my aunt (my great-grandmothers sister) in Kansas City, complaining about the noise</span> of newer vacuums. She said her daughter Sharon brought over her new Hoover and my aunt commented on how loud it was.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">When I was about five or six. I remember using my aunt’s 69 or 70. I can’t remember exactly what model it was but it had to be one of those.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Later, when I went back to visit her she had a u4003. Sharon (her daughter) thinks the 69 or 70 is in her garage. Chad and I need to go get that from her. It would be nice to be re-united with the vacuum I used when I was young.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
 


<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Yes, some of the modern ones are screamers and not very pleasant to use. Thanks for positing. I'll know not to pick up the screamers on the list if I see them, lol!</p>

 

[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