Kirby vacuum noise

[kirbybb]

Hello vacuum enthusiasts. I’ve learned quite a bit from the forums and YouTube videos which led me to finding joy with vacuuming. My past vacuums have ranged from Hoover Windtunnel, Dyson DC17, a Miele C3 canister and now a Kirby Sentria II. I still have the Miele which I’m leaning towards selling, the only thing I really like about the Miele is how quiet it is. I love the cleaning power of my Kirby but lately the noise is bothering my 3 year old. We are having him evaluated for Autism, he definitely has some sensory things going on but we aren’t sure what.

My question:
If the Sentria II continues to bother him then I’ll have to stop using it. Are the pre tech drive models like the Heritage Legend II more quiet than the Sentria II? I’d hate to find a used one and go through cleaning it up just to find it is also not going to work for us. Are there other high CFM machines that clean like a Kirby but with less noise?

Hello Bill (Vaclab guy)
I know we emailed about you testing my Miele. Do you still have your Heritage 2 Legend? Maybe I can drop off the Miele this week and listen to your old Kirby run?

Thanks for the tips and help, this is a great site.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

The vacuum noise with amodel fan is a little quieter if any. If you are wanting quiet go with 560 Kirby put amodel fan or get a 1970s 3 amp royal. The 3 amp royal may be quieter than Miele. The Kirby will be a little louder. If you get a 560 and put a legend 2 bag assembelly on it help dampen noise.
The sanitronic and newer Kirby's just are sucking machines and there going to be loud. If you get legend 2 bag you can change the topper to hold sentria 2 bags and there a thicker cloth and higher HEPA rating. Having a thicker bag helps noise.
The Kirby will be a little louder and do a little better vacuum. The 3 amp royal is probably quietest vacuum I have. If you adjust the nozzle it picks everything up. There both going to be around$100-$120.
Like I said you won't find a Kirby other than 515-sanatronic 7 Will be alot quieter.
I can almost guarantee the vacuuming job will be on par with the sentria 2.
Just some thoughts.
Les

 

[fairfaxclass]

My 7 amp Royal is pretty quiet all things considered.  It's a good option in case you can't find the right Kirby.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

The 7 amp royal is pretty close to any 16" nozzle Kirby. It's probably louder than current sentria 2.

Les

 

[broomvac]

Hi there!

A Heritage II/Legend/Legend II would be somewhat quieter. You would want one with an amodel fan and with you bearings in good condition for minimal noise. Try it before buying. If you want to stick to Kirby G-Series, I suppose you could get a Diamond Edition—the only Kirby with a manually switchable motor speed—and use it on the low speed setting. That said, I would be careful doing so; “low” speed is not intended for steady use and might cause problems.

If all you are after is a tough, quiet, high performing vacuum, check out clean air commercial vacuums such as those from Sebo, Windsor, Sanitaire, Hoover, etc. Many of the commercial brands offer units advertised for their low noise.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Kirbybb

Brandon,

I feel for your son!

The sound of my Mom's 1978 Kirby Classic III bothered me a lot as a child... so much so, that it turned me off of wanting to vacuum for the next 20 years!

~Ben

 

[rodknock95]

Autism

My son has autism. When I would run any vacuum he would run away and sit on his bed and cover his ears. One day I coaxed him to vacuum and then he loved it. Its something they will grow out of. I too thought about getting different vacuums that were quieter but then I thought.....The world is not going to alter itself for his comfortability which is why I ended up showing him about it. Of course this lead to him mis understanding me when I said I had to vacuum the gravel in the fish tank and him draining a 75 gallon fish tank with a Electrolux.

 

[suckolux]

Just a thought, his sensitivity may be due to the pitch of the sound, not really the volume.

 

[vaclab]

Brandon, I emailed you

and I would say that the non tech drive Kirbys sound very different than new G series. I could listen to the Heritage Legend II all day, but definitely not to a Sentria or Avalir. Much more high pitched and louder.



In my whole house carpet cleaning playlists, you can easily hear the difference.

Sounds like we may have some sort of a mini meet very soon...

Bill

 

[kirbyduh]

Heritage II

I find the Heritage IIs/ Legend to be the quietest "modern" Kirbys.. They have a very nice, soft sound. I feel like the Generation/Sentria/Avalir series is a lot louder and higher pitched, not even considering the noise the tech drive makes.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

kirbyduh

Lane,

The same thing would apply to the later Traditions with the plastic fans. My 1979 Tradition has the metal fan, so much noisier.



~Ben

 

[kirbybb]

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Bill last night on my way home from work. I had a tour of the lab and got to see and run some pretty amazing machines. I'll admit at first I was shocked that there is a "club" of vacuum enthusiasts and collectors of vacuums. Then I was reminded that I myself have a strange hobby of collecting and cleaning up old Weber Kettle grills, so I totally get it. I got to run the Avalir, the first generation with tech-drive, a Hoover convertible, and the Heritage II Legend.

I am quite fond of the Heritage II after running it. There is definitely a difference in the sound of the machine and it is much more pleasing to my ears and possibly my sons as well. I'll be hunting for a good H2 at a good price and likely selling my Sentria II and my Miele C3 canister.

Thanks for all the good info here and suggestions, this really is a great group of people.
-Brandon

 

[vaclab]

Thanks for the visit Brandon,

And good luck finding your Heritage 2!

Bill

 

[n0oxy]

how about a central vacuum

If you want something that is quiet, consider a central vacuum. Even if you don't install pipes, you can get a central vacuum power unit, attach a utility valve to the intake and use it free standing. Many central vacuum units are quiet enough that you can still have a normal conversation even when right next to them.
Mike