I was just about to ask the same question but I was going to ask if there was anything other than Sub Zero. Looking for a built-in with a bottom freezer. I've had a Kitchenaid for the last 7 years and don't want another one.

We had SZ all-refrigerator and all-freezer units in our last house & really liked them, so we went with new versions of the same in our new house.

not much to choose from ? ? ? ?

In addition to the 2 you mention - other makers of 36" built ins:

Viking
Dacor
SubZero - regular and fully integrated 700 series
Thermador - regular built in & fully integrated freedoms
Liebherr
Gaggenau
Bosch - both pretty much the same as T'dor freedom

Miele - out later this year and similar to T'dor/Gaggenau/Bosch

At least a dozen options, seems like a lot to me.

Isn't Dacor the same as Kitchenaid? And who makes Viking? I thought they were based on Maytag/Kitchenaid as well? And the "regular" Thermador is a kitchenair (if it's still available), while, as antss notes, Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau are the same basic refrigerator with different trim and features.

Sorry, I guess I left out a big qualifier, I asked about 36 inch refrigerators but really meant 36 inch refrigerator/freezer. With my space I can't squeeze in separate freezer and refrigerator or even a 42 inch so that's what I meant by not much to choose from. That really limits the choices. Anybody have a preference for GE or Kitchenaid built-in?

I would go with Thermador (they have a 36 inch French door and a 36 inch 2 door bottom freezer), maybe a Subzero 736 (fridge with 2 bottom drawers for freezer). I'm not as familiar with the smaller KA and GE Monogram models, but I considered those as the 2nd tier. I have Thermador Freedom and love them. Subzero was nice for our plan, but the icemaker in the bottom drawer wouldn't be good for us. GE had good technical features, but poor design features for us. I had planned on getting a KA until we saw the Thermador Freedokm. BTW, the non-Freedom series Thermadors were made by KA. Not sure if they still are.

Check into Liebherr. It is cheaper than SZ and of the same quality if not better. I have the 30in model and absolutely love it! The 36in model came out this spring. Search Liebherr on this site and you will find nothing but positive comments. Good luck in your hunt!

I looked at a Liegherr hoping to find something suitable for our laundry room. I was encouraged by all the positive comments here, but I would not compare what we saw to a Subzero in quality. I have only seen one, but it was more like a dorm fridge than other built-ins. I'm surprised that my reaction was so much different than what I have seen here, but that was my reaction. If they are available in your area, check them out and see for yourself. I wouldn't order one online if you haven't seen one in person, which is what I thought I would have been doing before I found what appears to be the only one in town.

Fascinating post, Lasacatx! I had just made up my mind this very morning that I would order the HC 2062, sight unseen. Like you, I'm basing this somewhat risky decision, in part, on there being so many positive reviews of Liebherr on this forum as well as the fact that I must have a 36" FD fridge to fit my space. A built-in is preferable to a CD. I had seen another Liebherr model at a showroom and was impressed. Can I ask which Liebherr model you saw and where?

They were not the 36" -- they were the 24 and 30". One had a panel, and it was very poorly done, but I suspect that was an installation issue. I am drawing blank on the name of the place I saw it, but it is apparently the only distributor in the Houston area. They weren't listed -- I found out about them by calling Liebherr and asking about availability of service in the Houston area if the nearest dealer was in Dallas or wherever. They told me they did have a dealer here and gave me the number.

I have to second lascatx's opinion on the Liebherr. I was sure it was what I wanted, mostly due to energy considerations and price, but it seemed so flimsy compared to the subzero that DH gave a resounding "NO WAY". We saw both the 30" and 24" and they were nicely paneled and well installed in the showroom. They looked great and were well configured but everything, door, drawers, racks, shelves, felt *light*. I think I'd have still gone for it but you have to pick your battles and DH really wants the SZ650.

Gee, I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder! I'm pretty sure the model I saw in the showroom was the 24". At that point, I was already convinced by consumer claims as to Liebherr reliability and performance and, as soon as I saw one in person, I was immediately taken with its appearance. In fact, I was "sold" on the stainless steel and glass shelving system. No more bulky, flimsy plastic! True, I did not try yanking the racks and shelves. Maybe I should have. But, given all the raves I've heard about Liebherrs on this forum, I think I would need more hard evidence from owners at this point that the product is really that flimsy in actual use. In other words, having just made up my mind, I don't want to rethink that decision all over again! Not intending to hijack this thread, but if there are longtime Liebherr owners out there who would counsel me against this buying decision, please come forward. . . quickly! :)

Totally agree on the Liebherr refrigerators in that they seemed "flimsy" in comparison to SZ and Thermador Freedom. I had heard all the great posts on this refrigerator and had high expectations. I'm so glad I went to see it in person as it just didn't seem to be as solid as the other options.

I have seen a few different Liebherr. I did not like the layout and construction. they are made for the European market. They shop more often and do not need the larger capacities and the inside seems less durable but that could be only perception but in reality maybe OK. I'm holding out for the new BI 48S Subzero model.

We've had a Subzero 650 for a couple of months, and we really love it. We were able to purchase the floor sample (which was only 3 months old) from the local dealer, because they said that there were updated models on the way. The price of the Subzero was initially out of our range, but when the dealer offered 50% off for the floor sample, I couldn't say no.

The quality of the construction is amazing, and the perfomance is wonderful. Everything from the door racks, to the shelves, to the drawers is very well made. We are convinced that vegtables stay fresher longer than with any previous fridge we've owned. This is the first counter depth fridge we've owned, and we like it too. The layout is very simple, so the usable volume is very high, and everything is very easy to see. Things don't get "lost" in the back like they did with our old side-by-side.

The ice maker works great, and easily keeps up with the demands of the five people in our family.

The freezer on the bottom is great. It's on the small side, but we have a chest freezer out in the garage, so that isn't a big deal for us.

I measured the noise with a sound meter, and compared it to our old fridge. It's about the same, maybe 1dB less, so the difference in sound really isn't a big change. It is not loud at all, but I expected it to be quieter for some reason.

So there you have my opinion. I definately recommend the SubZero.

What is the actual sound meter reading? Where did you measure it and how far away?