Tip: Don't use HE liquid detergent, it will ruin your washer (ruined my friend's 9400). Sears sells a very good, imo, huge bucket of HE powdered detergent for a very reasonable price. You can even get it delivered via their website if you don't live near a Sears (and a couple times they've offered free shipping which is really nice!) I have had my 9400 washer for almost 2 years with no complaints. It is in a basement on cement and doesn't seem to move at all. It sounds like a small jet plane about to take off during the spin cycle! Not at all loud, but a slight high whine that gets higher and higher unti you think it will either take off or explode (but it doesn't!) Another tip: you should run your hot water in the utility sink before doing a regular warm load. The temp boost only works on the sanitary selection and the whitest whites, and won't help a regular warm load's temp at all. The Duet has a huge capacity which I love! I fill it with jeans, select the heavy duty cycle and everthing comes out clean! (and very wound-up and tangled. you have to shake out your clothes so they don't dry all twisted and wrinkly. I imagine this is with all FL.) What would I change? Nothing really, although we are redoing a new house and I'm strongly considering either the Bosch Nexxt 700 series or the Duets for the new house. The price is slightly lower than the Duet and the Bosch 500 rec'd very good reviews on Consumer Reports. Warning: Too much sudsing is one of the major troubles with the Duet (and probably other FL as well). Always use HE detergent and don't use too much - a little goes a LONG way! Good luck! PS. I really noticed a large drop in our water consumption after installing the Duet.

Hi, I purchased the Maytag Epic in the beginning of December, 2006 and I have been extremely pleased with it. I have no personal experience with the Duet so I canÂt give you any comparisons. I also canÂt say anything about the reliability of the Epic, as I donÂt have it all that long (barely two months). As far as I know, the Epic is really a rebranded KitchenAid Ensemble and is in no way related to the Maytag Neptunes which had so many problems, and I understand the Ensemble has a good history. I read somewhere that Whirlpool bought both Maytag and KitchenAid and wants to re-establish the Maytag name by putting it on a proven machine (the Epic/formerly Ensemble). I must say I have the cleanest laundry ever! I even washed some of my husbandÂs work clothes that have been in the closet "forever" because they looked so bad I wouldnÂt give them to him to wear. I thought with stains and soil that old that wouldnÂt come out with my previous washer, it was hopeless. Well, they are now useable once more! Now DH is eager to present me with some challenges (really dirty clothes) and the Epic has not failed me once. It is very difficult to get him interested in something like a washing machine, but he is amazed at this one. I also find the Epic to be very quiet (my cat loves to sleep on it when itÂs running) and there is barely any vibration. I do have it in the basement on a concrete floor with no pedestal. There are no signs of mold (it smells fresh and clean and I have a good nose) but I do wipe the gasket dry when IÂm done using it and leave the door open. I also regularly do hot washes and use chlorine bleach occasionally. It is extremely easy to use, you could say "intuitive". This is my first FL (wanted one "forever" but my old TL was determined to last 14 years before it gave out) and, right now, I wouldnÂt hesitate to buy another. I actually enjoy doing laundry (never thought I would say that) and am always looking for another load of dirty clothes! I hope you find these comments helpful. Good luck with your washer, whichever one you choose!

snick-- check out this thread: Here is a link that might be useful: WFW9400S

Actually, all The machine I really want, I guess doesn't exist. That would have been a 3.7 Cubic Foot Miele, with a bleach dispenser. Since I am going for the bleach dispenser, let's make that Miele 4.5 cubic foot, then I'll throw my fluffy king comforter and sheets in at the same time. Since I couldn't get a large Miele, and after much research became convinced it probably wouldn't make us happy to spend that much on a machine we consider small...I probed around more for a Bosch. Found one and will be delivered next week. I feel like it is a compromise, and honestly am quite disappointed to think that the machine costs what it does and may not be much better than the Whirlpool, LG, or others...but I'll just have to wait and see. Good news is, I bought an extended warranty. Something I would normally never do, but in this case think it might be worth it. The deal is 100 dollars for four years coverage. If no service calls in the 4 years, I get the 100 dollars back in the form of a credit to use in the store for any other purchase. Thanks for the help! Jason