After much research last January, we ended up with a Speed Queen washer and dryer, but we got a frontload washer. Our previous frontload washer and dryer were 10-year-old Maytag Neptunes. I see that you want the top loader but consumer input on Speed Queen products is next to nil on the web, so I thought I might at least answers some of your questions. On the SQ front load washer, the washing times are shorter than most which is a big plus. I cannot speak re: the top loader. There is no buzzer when the wash cycle is completed and there is no delay start option. Dryer takes normal time and does have a buzzer. There is no moisture sensor, so I stay close by so clothes don't get "baked." Unfortunately, I've noticed more lint with this dryer and our bath towels are now "puckered" at the ends even though I use the delicate cycle. Another frustrating thing I've never encountered is that the silkscreening on some of DH's t-shirts is "cracking." I always wash these inside out, but I don't know if this is from the washer or dryer. When we purchased the SQ set from a local dealer, we thought we had made a wise purchase due to the 3-year warranty, machines were US-made and because they were one of 2 manufacturers that had a washer that hinged on the right side to fit in our space. Unfortunately, just after the front loader was used, it malfunctioned. Large replacement part was shipped in a single-wall cardboard box and damaged. There is no toll-free number for Speed Queen customer service and no one stepped up to follow through. After thirty days without a washer, we wrote a letter to the CEO. A new washer arrived within a week. In summary, we are not happy with these machines. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I would keep researching. We subscribe to Consumer Reports online. They have a current review of washers. They review the front loader but not top loader. Good luck!

One would want to make sure that they aren't selling the ones with very fast laundromat-style cycles, with only 8 minutes of wash time.

I have the SQ TR7 I haven't noticed any clothing tearing going on whatsoever, but neither did I with a Maytag we had for 31 years (with 2 kids), nor with a Samjunk we had for 4 years (without the kids). While the Samjunk was just that, junk, it didn't tear clothes up, it just needed repairing every 8 months until the final repair was supposed to cost $600 to which we said no to. Samjunk dryers are not any good either, while ours only had one repair about 3 years ago, the motor now sounds rough, and now I have to turn the drum to make it run if the dryer has sat for more than a few hours. We are going to buy another SQ this weekend, but can't decide on the DR7 or the DC5. Samjunk fridges are so bad there is a massive class action lawsuit against them, so far no word on a settlement. Ours freezes up inside the fridge part, and I have manually defrost it about once every 3 months. I still have it, not sure what I'll get when it dies since SQ doesn't make fridges. It amazes me is that year after year Consumer Reports rates Samjunk as the highest quality??? Why hasn't CR bothered to check the class action lawsuits they had against the washing machines and the fridges?? Strange, makes me wonder if CR is getting a cut.

TR3, TR5 and TR7 models have a different type of motor and no mechanical transmission/gears so they operate quieter. They have no spin brake (takes a while for the drum to coast to a stop if the lid is opened during spin) which is why the lid is required to lock (for safety). The TC5 model, which apparently is your new unit, has an old-style motor (noisier) and transmission (noisier) to drive the agitator, and a spin brake which stops the drum quickly if the lid is opened so it doesn't need to lock.