is there an obvious sound difference in DW between 54 dba and 41?

13 years ago

Looking at 2 KA's; don't care about the extra cycles, but am wondering if it's worth spending $250 - $300 for the lower decibels... thoughts?

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Comments (13)

davidro1
13 years ago
the noise (measured as power) of 54 is a lot more than the other, but what you feel and hear is subjective.

Also, a dB measurement doesn't describe the kinds of noises and also not whether it is mostly high pitched or low.
jakvis
13 years ago
The difference is definitely hearing the dishwasher, not loud enough to raise your voice over but very noticeable.
to barely being able to hear the unit and possibly not hear it at all.
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mojavean
13 years ago
Decibels are logarithmic. For each increment of 6db the sound pressure doubles. What this means is that, at least according to the reported values, the 54db machine is over 4 times louder than the 41 db machine.
attofarad
13 years ago
Drop down the link half way to the dBa sounds chart.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sound levels
User
13 years ago
moja - you theory is correct , but you application of it is a bit flawed.

Sound pressure - or energy is not exactly the same thing as what the human ear perceives as loudness. So , while that 54 dB machine is producing 4x the sound pressure, it will be very difficult for a human to say it's 4x louder. It will be noticeably louder but not exactly 4x louder.
weedmeister
13 years ago
Your talking 'library quiet' versus 'a normal conversation in the next room'. At 54dba, you'll know it's running, but you can have a normal conversation standing next to it.
mojavean
13 years ago
That is a good point, Antss, there will not necessarily be a perception on the part of the owner that the machine is 4 times as loud. But it will actually be 4 times as loud from a power standpoint. In any case, the difference is quite significant, as anyone who has spent any time in a library and then engaged in normal conversation with my Mother-In-Law will attest. If the OP can swing it, she should opt for quieter. There is nothing worse than an annoying dishwasher harshing your DWTS mellow, is there, Antss?
Davis Jones
13 years ago
Last year we bought a KA dishwasher.. the 51 dB version which includes the built in garbage disposal (KUDS50FVSS). I preferred having the built in disposal and just could not see spending an extra $300 or so to be a bit quieter and not have the disposal. From my recent posts here, I do NOT like excessive noise. We installed the dishwasher and in our kitchen it is fairly hard to hear when it is running. Am sure the 41 db version will be quieter but not sure it is needed unless any sound at all bothers you. I have had no regrets with this dw in any way and it cleans great.. the pot scrubber really does work!
flwrs_n_co
13 years ago
Jdavis37, I've read some reviews recently of the KUDE70FVSS that said the cycles were very long (3 to 4 hours). May I ask how long approximately does the Potscrubber cycle take in your dishwasher? I don't generally do my pans in the dishwasher but it's always nice to have the option. Do you wash your pans in your dishwasher and are you happy with the results? Thanks so much for the help as I'm trying to figure out the same thing as the OP--is it worth the extra $$ just for less noise--I'm not super picky (noise is less important than cleaning ability) and your posting makes me think I'd be happy with less than top of the line. (Currently have Maytag about 8 years old or so--cleans great but is somewhat louder than I would like although a definite improvement over its predecessor.)
fauguy
13 years ago
The GE Profile unit I got 4-5 years ago had a sound rating of 54-56dB. Even though it was quieter than the 20 year old unit it replaced, it was still loud enough to hear in the living room, or upstairs in the bedrooms. I only had it for about a year, due to it breaking all the time, and it was replaced with a Electrolux WaveTouch that had a 45dB rating. It was much quieter than the GE. But that unit had some major repair issues and only lasted about 3 months. Now I've been using a Miele Diamante for a few months (which U.S. site lists as a "Q2" noise rating, but the U.K. site lists it as 46dB). To me, this unit is the quietest of the three dishwashers. If I'm standing right next to it, I only hear the water washing around inside the tub, not the motor sound, but step back about 6-8 feet and I can hardly hear the water sound at all.

I would say go with the quieter unit if you can afford it, regardless of the brand.
Davis Jones
13 years ago
flwrs,

I have never actually timed a dishwasher cycle as we normally run it toward end of evening and don't worry about it much but do not have any reason to think the cycle would take that long. I'll try to remember to time a cycle the next time we use the potscrubber option for a better answer.

Regarding cleaning ability i will say the potscrubber does a GREAT job.. we have put some really caked items in there and they came out clean as new. Made a beleiver out of me as my previous dishwasher was so so at best and I often just washe din teh sink as it seemed I needed to pre wash so much I may as well just finish the job.

Overall, the model we bought is quiet enough you have to listen hard to hear it runing when it starts. NO trouble talking at normal voice level and in our family room which is about 15-20 feet away one cannot even hear it. It is quite quiet. If the 41 dB version is quieter as I expect it is, just not sure it would come into play much.

Course we each have our own definition of what quiet is and what is tolerable. I don't like noisy appliances and I am happy with this model and it cleans very well. My understanding is the biggest reason for the slightly higher noise level is due to the built in disposal, which I wanted. Good luckl on your decision though I have a feeling at that price point most are pretty darned good!
chac_mool
13 years ago
flwrs n co, I'm reading manuals now; everything was installed today. Haven't yet actually used my KUDE70FVSS3, but probably will tomorrow.

Anyway, according to KA's user instructions, there are 5 cycles (see below) and 5 specific available options: ProScrub, SaniRinse, Hi-Temp Scrub, Heat Dry, and 4 Hour Delay.

Wash times vary, depending on the given cycle and option selected. The three times listed below for each cycle are for: (1) cycle alone, (2) cycle plus minimum options, and (3) "Maximum", respectively:

Heavy Duty --- 1:55, 2:25, 3:23
Normal Wash -- 1:25, 1:50, 3:13
Light/China -- 1:20, 1:50, 3:14
1 Hour Wash -- 0:58, 0:88, 0:58
Rinse Only --- 0:15, none, none

[I don't get the 1 Hour Wash times; that's not my typo.]

Three caveats: The first cycle run with models having an optical water sensor will take longer, "to calibrate the water sensor". Also, "Maximum wash times depend on water temperature, heavy soil condition, dish load size and options selected"; evidently these last times are estimates. Finally, a (separate) installation instruction book mentions that "selecting certain options could increase cycle times past 3.5 hours."
totsuka
13 years ago
I hate loud appliances, especially a dishwasher. I had a KA and it was very quiet..had some issues at the 5 year point, but I had the extended warranty and that really paid me back!. I got it on sale at Lowes. If you can wait, just go these and ask if they are going to change the display model. The appliance guy gave me 300 dollars off because he wanted to put out the newer model. I also liked the Maytag Super Quiet model. Whirlpool owns them now, but I really liked how quiet it was. Pured like a happy kitten in the corner.

is there an obvious sound difference in DW between 54 dba and 41?

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