Screeming new machines
I agree with you on the Orecks. How can such a small motor make soooo much noice. I think the two earlier explanations make sense. But why do these companies want to put out a product that you hate to turn on! I have a $38.99 Bissell upright from WalMart that is quiet and that's about as cheap as they come. It will clean circles around the $600.00 Oreck.
This is not something new. I have my grandmother's Hoover Concept One Powerdrive and it is very loud and I have a Hoover Canister with quadaflex power nozzel that I really like but it too is a screemer. My new Electolux Oxygen is just a pleasure to use because it is so quiet and user friendly. It makes you WANT to use the machine! All you hear is the swish of the air.It actually has a very pleasing sound.