It sounds like your older SQ is a TR series, correct? Those are virtually silent. If your new one is the TC5, it will be louder as it's the classic wash system with a traditional motor and transmission.

I don’t know. Is that indicated in the model number?

The TR series are the only models with a lid lock.

There's a youtube video on how to easily get around the lid lock on the TR's.

Ok..then the set in the basement is the tr model and I wonder why it is quieter. The lid lock drove me crazy. I will look at the YouTube video. I wish the new set was quieter but good to know there is nothing wrong with it. I do like the extra water feature and like these sets so much better than my old front loaders that took me forever to do laundry.

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.

Thanks dadoes. Makes sense.

Just checked on the inside of the lid tc5000. Thanks.

@ILoveRed I’m hoping you are still checking in to Houzz. I’m thinking of buying the tc5000 for my new house. Have you had any problems other than the noise? Some people complained about Speed Queens ejecting rinse water too fast and they had resulting water problems. I don’t have room for a laundry sink near the washer so I won’t be able to drain into a sink. Some people complain that their clothes get torn up. What has your experience been?

The machine has only one pump. It runs at the same speed at all times so there's no difference in the drain output rate for wash vs. rinse. However, soapy wash water and non-soapy rinse water may have slightly different flow characteristics through the household plumbing.

Mtpo...if you are building new, make sure you have your builder put a “Dryer Box” between the studs behind your dryer. This allows you to vent so that your dryer is barely sticking out.

@ILoveRed I think he did — I’ll check tomorrow — thanks

My TR5003 has a lid lock, but it only engages once the fill cycle ends and the machine begins agitation mode. This allows you to add items while fill is occuring. It replaced a 21 year old Maytag which was about the same size. The SQ is much quieter, about 43db in agitation mode and should be much easier on my clothes. Anyone know what the differences are between the 5000 and 5003 SQ models?