Thread Number: 31283  /  Tag: Recent Vacuum Cleaners from past 20 years
higher pitch, probably smaller motors
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Post# 345997   3/1/2016 at 23:57 (2,949 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this. Since I have perfect pitch, I can't help but notice that just about all canister and clean air uprights sound a lot different than just a few years ago. The motors have a much higher pitch, which probably indicate that they are smaller and in order to create the same amount of airflow, they probably spin much faster. If you compare the sound of the current model canisters by Miele, Sebo, the Riccar Prima, the Electrolux Ultra one, the Panasonic and Kenmores, or the Tacony two motor uprights, the suction motor has a very high pitch. The Dyson motors also sound like this. The last canister I have seen that did not sound like this was the Electrolux Embasador 3. The Aerus classic is not quite as high pitch as some of the other vacuums I have mentioned, but it's fairly close. If you compare today's motor sounds with something like a Kenmore whisper tone, or the Perfect Canister, there is definitely a difference. The sirina vacuum also has a motor that sounds more like some of the older Electrolux models, it's a lower pitch, and sounds a lot larger. I would think it would be more efficient to have larger motors that didn't spin as fast, but the trend has definitely gone the opposite way. What does everyone else think? While they may not have been as powerful, I actually like the motor sound of something like an Electrolux 1205 a lot better than some of these high pitch motor sounds. I wonder if vacuums such as the filter queen have also gone this direction. The newer rainbows still seem to have the classic sound to them, they don't sound high pitch either.

Post# 346007 , Reply# 1   3/2/2016 at 02:12 (2,948 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

Yes,just that-cheaper,plastic frame motors with smaller fans and running at higher speeds.Gone are the slower speed,metal framed,larger fan motors!I don't like the screamer jet engine motors,either.Jet engines are loud-but have to be-vacuum motors should be quiet!!!

Post# 346010 , Reply# 2   3/2/2016 at 02:49 (2,948 days old) by Mike81 ()        

I have noticed it too. I can't stand that high-pitched scream what most of the current vacuums sound. Especially bagless vacuums tend to sound like that. Very annoying. That is the reason why I use old canister vacs with the large twin fan motor = low rpm. Lots of suction/airflow, but pleasing sound.

Post# 346012 , Reply# 3   3/2/2016 at 04:50 (2,948 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
When people hear my new SEBO E1 Airbelt or Miele S8340 Ecoline they're taken aback by the lack of noise from each. But then some ask if the vacuums are powerful enough. For some reason average joe equates loudness with powerful-ness. I can't imagine where they would get that from....



Post# 346014 , Reply# 4   3/2/2016 at 05:02 (2,948 days old) by Mike81 ()        

Most of the modern bagless canister and upright vacuums has annoyingly high-pitched sound.
Miele and Sebo are different thing.
Electrolux also makes very pleasant sounding vacs.


Post# 346016 , Reply# 5   3/2/2016 at 06:05 (2,948 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
n0oxy,

maybe the higher pitch sound comes from the new vortex type fans they use.
Unless it's cheaper motor bearings.
Nothing cleans like a dual fan motor, and they were quieter.


Post# 346021 , Reply# 6   3/2/2016 at 06:17 (2,948 days old) by Eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
I've often wondered if the acoustics of the plastic containers found on bagless vacs really increases the level of noise these vacs produce. The sound must resonate thru the plastic and the cyclones must also transmit the motor noise into the dust container. In contrast, bagged vacs have a nice cushiony soft fabric bag seated in a sealed compartment under a cover that often has a second layer for tool storage. This can really dampen the noise coming from the motor chamber. Added to this are the filter cartridges seated on both sides if the motor.

With regard to uprights, many of the cheaper bagless models are advertised as having the ability to clean bare floors. Bare floors don't absorb sound waves like a deep carpet does, so these screamers sound even worse on bare floors. The noise is made a lot worse if you can't shut off the brush roll.


Post# 346028 , Reply# 7   3/2/2016 at 08:18 (2,948 days old) by mike81 ()        

Cyclonic action itself causes more noise. I noticed that when I first used my cyclonic bag saver.

Post# 346029 , Reply# 8   3/2/2016 at 08:37 (2,948 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
Noticed that too.

Just last night I was using a clean air plastic upright, and my Mom said "That thing sounds like a Jet taking off." 


Post# 346032 , Reply# 9   3/2/2016 at 08:58 (2,948 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
two stage motors

I think most vacuums now use just one fan, but spin it much faster. Actually, the Electrolux ultra one is very quiet and powerful, but it does have the high pitch motor sound. Even on some central vacuums, the sound is similar because many of them are using flow through motors now instead of bypass. The Miele and Sebo motors on their canisters actually do have the high pitch sound also, but it's not quite as noticeable for some reason. Here is an example of a good sounding motor, I'm not sure if this was a European model of the Lindhaus HF6, but the current model that I just got also has the high pitch sound.





Post# 346034 , Reply# 10   3/2/2016 at 09:21 (2,948 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
The reason being is that SEBO and Miele vacs have sound proofing added.

The EU law that stipulates vacuums must be produced now higher with 1600 watt motors may also prove to be worthwhile in the long run; they may make it to other countries regardless of the laws, thus in some cases providing a quieter motor than the previous 2000 watt motors that the previous models had.

And whilst we're on the subject about noise, lets not forget the Power nozzle floor heads that canister vacs have. After all they also make an added noise.


Post# 346044 , Reply# 11   3/2/2016 at 10:27 (2,948 days old) by mike81 ()        

Two samples of old canisters sounds:





Post# 346049 , Reply# 12   3/2/2016 at 12:10 (2,948 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
comments on the video

In this video, booth vacuums had the lower pitch, not the shrill high pitch that is so common now. I think the first one sounded a bit better though. With the second one, especially when he turned it off, it sounded like the motor might be getting ready to go out.

Post# 346050 , Reply# 13   3/2/2016 at 12:19 (2,948 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Agree, the coast down is a bit loud I think.

Post# 346053 , Reply# 14   3/2/2016 at 12:51 (2,948 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
Loud Vacs

Years ago I saw an article that I should have saved but didn't in,I think,Smithsonian magazine.It was about how a college lab was analyzing and reducing noise on a vacuum model for a major company.They were separating the different sounds(suction fan,cooling fan,belt,brush,etc)and trying to quieten each.At the time I wondered if this research led to the changes between Eureka Bravo and the later Bravo II.

Post# 346098 , Reply# 15   3/3/2016 at 00:43 (2,948 days old) by Mike81 ()        

Yes that Volta in the video has that strange when the motor is slowing down.
There is one vacuum with very high-pitched sound. It's also very loud to make it worse. Otherwise I don't have anything against the Dyson. This is the DC07 and I believe that they used two different motors in this model.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Mike81's LINK


Post# 346108 , Reply# 16   3/3/2016 at 04:44 (2,947 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Good to know someone else has perfect pitch. It gives me the greatest speed when writing music.

Post# 346148 , Reply# 17   3/3/2016 at 12:51 (2,947 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 346149 , Reply# 18   3/3/2016 at 12:54 (2,947 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
another good sounding vacuum

Here is a video of a Kenmore whisper tone.



Not sure if this was made by Panasonic or whirl pool but it definitely sounds better than the current models.


Post# 346166 , Reply# 19   3/3/2016 at 16:49 (2,947 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
n0oxy,

It's nice, but too new to be Whirlpool or Ryobi. Definitely by Panasonic.

Post# 346210 , Reply# 20   3/4/2016 at 04:39 (2,946 days old) by Mike81 ()        
Quiet vac, loud powerhead

Kenmore whisper tone sounds very nice and soft.
My problem with the quiet canisters is that the powerhead is louder than the canister itself.
For example Lux D790 Royal. It's quiet and soft sounding, but when I use it on the low pile carpet powerhead makes that loud roar sound. At least it's pretty quiet on the shag rug.


Post# 346216 , Reply# 21   3/4/2016 at 05:05 (2,946 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
Mike,

That is so true. My Eureka, (Electrolux) Oxygen power head is very loud compared to the cylinder itself.
Now my older Eureka roto-matic vibragroomer is a very quiet power nozzle, with an older metal fully encased sewing machine type motor in it.
When connected to my central vac, I can actually talk on the phone while vacuuming.


Post# 346291 , Reply# 22   3/4/2016 at 14:22 (2,946 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
loud Kenmore power nozzle

Here's a video that demonstrates what you are talking about. You can hardly hear the canister motor, but the power nozzle is loud and clear.



Also interesting to see the work he's done to restore the vacuum to like new condition.


Post# 346317 , Reply# 23   3/4/2016 at 17:44 (2,946 days old) by Mike81 ()        

My case is similar. This is what I mean loud powerhead & quiet canister.



?t=11m27s


Post# 346318 , Reply# 24   3/4/2016 at 17:45 (2,946 days old) by Mike81 ()        

Go to the 11:25

Post# 346341 , Reply# 25   3/5/2016 at 07:21 (2,945 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
My mom has a Whispertone canister like the one above. The motor is a bit smaller than the older ones but still has a pleasant sound. I agree the PN adds quite a bit of noise-those ones were kind of buzzy.

My Progressive canister has an even smaller motor and a much higher pitch sound, especially with the HEPA filter. It's pretty quiet on low.

My Electrolux Grand Marquis is the opposite, the machine sounds like a fighter jet roaring but you can barely hear the PN over it.

New uprights with the small motors almost all sound like screamers to me. But even Elites and Bravos 20 years ago were too loud for me.


Post# 346343 , Reply# 26   3/5/2016 at 07:24 (2,945 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
cogged belts;

are generally noisier than smooth belts.
I don't find the Kenmore P/N that loud.


Post# 346420 , Reply# 27   3/5/2016 at 18:44 (2,945 days old) by blknblu (CT)        

The belts for the Power Mate power nozzle for my Kenmore Progressive & Kenmore Intuition vacuums use a thin grooved belt, like the serpentine belt in a car.

 


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Post# 346425 , Reply# 28   3/5/2016 at 18:56 (2,945 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
Sven,

I never knew that. Still learn every day.

Post# 346619 , Reply# 29   3/7/2016 at 11:51 (2,943 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
another nice sounding motor

Here is a video of the Electrolux 2100.



I'm not sure if this was a one or two stage motor, but it actually sounds a bit better than the current Aerus classic model, I'll include a video of that for comparison.



The newer aerus classic actually has a higher pitch, not as bad as some of the other screamers, but I think the motors in the older models actually sound better.


Post# 346665 , Reply# 30   3/7/2016 at 17:23 (2,943 days old) by blknblu (CT)        

The motor in the Electrolux 2100 is a 2 stage thru-flow (flow thru)  motor.

I have a bare one sitting on the bench hooked up. (I should do a video)

This diagram from from Ametek shows how it works.

 

There is a good writeup on how the vacuum motors work here:

www.lindsaymfg.com/central_vacuum...

 

 

 

 


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Post# 346681 , Reply# 31   3/7/2016 at 20:57 (2,943 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
motors

That article from the Lindsay Manufacturing site was interesting. Most canister vacuums use the flow through motors, and even some central vacuums do now as well. One of my central vacuum units, the vacumaid garage vac pro uses a two stage flow through motor, it's higher pitched, but it is quite powerful. I'm pretty sure the motor in the current Aerus classic model is only one stage, and you can tell that it spins faster. A lot of the electrolux models, such as the marquis, diplomat, ambassador, and 2100 sound very similar, I'm wondering if all of these models actually use the same motor.

Post# 346799 , Reply# 32   3/8/2016 at 22:14 (2,942 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
another good sounding vacuum

I'm not sure when these were out, but the motor sounds good with these, not that annoying high pitch scream, it's a canister called the hoover celebrity.





Post# 346815 , Reply# 33   3/9/2016 at 04:13 (2,941 days old) by vacerator (Macomb Michigan)        
N0oxy,

yep, that Hoover QS 2 speed sure is nice. I like the 2 speed power nozzle as well. No one else offered that to my knowledge.

Post# 353026 , Reply# 34   5/30/2016 at 22:26 (2,859 days old) by n0oxy (Saint Louis Missouri, United States)        
interesting article about vacuum motors

This article talks about good vacuum design in general, but it mentions the trend of moving to one stage motors that spin much faster and thus will where out quicker.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO n0oxy's LINK


Post# 353096 , Reply# 35   6/1/2016 at 14:38 (2,857 days old) by Rolls_rapide (-)        
Dyson DC07

The Dyson DC07 might have had two different types of motors; it certainly had modified fine-particle cyclones.

The first generation of DC07 had vortex finders on the small cyclones, which had aerofoils similar in design to aircraft propellers. These machines had that ear-splitting whistle.

The later versions had a simpler vortex finder more like the DC14 & DC15. The noise was more of a dull roar. The length and/or diameter of the cyclones might have been altered too.



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