Ummm I've done a test as well and the kirby came out on top.
Aginst a Sanitaire well Electrolux as its named over here.
If you look at the bag theres no carpet fluff just grit.
That shows that the kirby is getting out the grit and not eatting the carpet.
But you atomatically said "is actually left from what's in the emptor"
Ummm right.
James