Maytag Epic 9600 vs 9700

[dnastrau]

Hi everyone:

We are looking at the Maytag Epic and were wondering about whether the 9700 is worth the extra price over the 9600. The 9600 is $719 through tonight on the Home Depot website and the 9700 is $809 (in white.) The differences in the two seem to be in a porcelain top instead of enamel, top spin speed of 1200 RPM as opposed to 1000 and a better noise reduction package. My thought is that a 200 RPM difference is a lot when talking about spin speeds; the other two differences are minor IMHO. Any thoughts on these two models?

Thanks,

Andrew S.

 

[gansky1]

For $90, I would make the leap to the top-of-the-line model in a heartbeat. More is better, it's American way!

The added spin-speed probably won't make a huge difference in the end results, but the porcelain top is very nice if you plan on using it as a work-surface. I really like the look of the Epic machines - very dignified. Let us know what you think of your new washer, are you getting the matching dryer as well?

 

[neptuneguy27]

I have an Epic pair

I purchased the 9700 and I love it! The extra 200 rpm to me does make all the difference. A full load of towels spun at 1200 rpm dried in about 40 mins flat. The built in heater is wonderful when using Persil. I'd say go for the 9700. If you have any questions about them let me know.

Chris

 

[dnastrau]

Good feedback

Thanks for the feedback folks! If we take the plunge it will be for the 9700 and I will keep everyone posted. We are making some decisions today regarding major projects around the house and the potential washer upgrade is just one of them.

As far as the dryer is concerned, I really don't want to spend the money as we have a seven-year old KitchenAid 7.0 cf gas dryer that is working fine (my Wife would still love to have a matching set. She hates the idea of having a bisque colored dryer and a white washer.) The current KitchenAid washer still works fine and will likely end up at my Aunt's house as her WP DD is 17 years old and on its last legs...

Andrew S.

 

[laundromat]

I have the 9700 and love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dnastrau]

Put in the order - we'll see

Well, we put in an order for the 9700 in black after a frustrating trip to the local Home Depot and Lowe's trying to get a price match between the two. The Lowe's appliance department was so busy that I wasted a lot of time there waiting to speak with someone about price matching.

To make a long story short, I didn't get back to Lowe's in time before they closed after I verified the HD in-store price for the 9700 in black ($899 - the same as their web site.) I placed the order online tonight at the HD website for $899 plus $55 delivery (refundable via a rebate) and $89.99 for a three year extended warranty. Tax was about $62.

I am going to call HD customer service tomorrow to see if they will price match with Rainbow Appliances in Clifton, NJ. They have the black 9700 for $805! Since HD calls to confirm Internet orders anyway, I can still decide to cancel if they won't match and beat that price by 10% (as their policy states.) That would bring the price down to $724.50 for the washer...

Wish me luck!

Andrew S

 

[rp2813]

Dryer

Andrew, it might be a small consolation to your wife if you tell her the KA dryer is pretty much mechanically the same as the matching Epic would be. The Epic might have a flashy (pardon tbe pun) control panel but it's basically the same 7.0 cf drum and innards as your current KA. While washers have changed a lot over the last dozen or so years, dryers haven't. At least that's my slightly-more-than-casual observance. So while a new Epic might look nice on the outside, the inside won't look much different from your KA. I found with my new Duet pair, the dryer is ho-hum compared to the washer, which is dramatically different from and far more capable than the top loader it replaced.

Ralph

 

[dnastrau]

Tried that tactic

Hi Ralph:

I tried that tactic regarding the innards of the two being the same. So far, my Wife is willing to compromise but we'll have to see if that lasts. She really would like the set to match and really hates the top mounted lint filter on the KA dryer since it is messy (I have to agree on that point.)

Thanks!

Andrew S.

 

[dnastrau]

Got the price match

Home Depot matched a store in NJ who had the Epic in black for $805. HD is offering a rebate for the delivery ($55) and a $75 gift card as well. Not bad! The washer will be delivered Thursday!

Andrew S.

 

[dnastrau]

Got it today!

The Epic arrived this afternoon - very impressive! I ran the first load through and used the extra high speed spin (1200 RPM). I was pleased with how quiet the machine is - no vibration issues either. Huge capacity and the clothes are much drier after spinning than in our DD KitchenAid.

I'll report back as we get more experience using it

Andrew S.

 

[zipdang]

How funny, I replaced my KitchenAid top-load pair with an Ensemble set (what KA called them before they became Maytag-branded Epics). I love mine, including the dryer. The KA dryer I replaced had the lint screen on top (looks like yours does, too), and the Ensemble/Epic dryers have it in the front, so they do a back-to-front air flow instead of the horseshoe design they used for so many years. I'm not sure my Ensemble dryer performs any better than the Superba it replaced, but I think the front-mount lint screen is easier to clean and it keeps the top of my dryer from getting dusty.

 

[dnastrau]

KA lint filter

Agreed - the top mount lint filter is a mess - my only real complaint with the KA dryer...

Andrew S.

 

[gansky1]

Nice looking Epic - I have "new washer envy" now ;-) I think those are my favorite of the Whirlpool f/l designs.

Pull the filter out of the dryer when you start the load to clean it - the suction from the opening will carry away the dust created by pulling it out and scraping the lint off the screen. Works well on my KA dryer and almost never any dust on the top. I agree that it's a bit messier than other style of lint filters, but you'll never have lint in the dryer drum or on the dry clothes that came from some filter-cleaning tragedy!

Congrats on the new washer, it's beautiful! (how could you resist not getting the dryer too?)

 

[dnastrau]

Thanks for the tip on the lint filter

Excellent tip Gansky - I'll give that a try! Getting the matching Epic dryer is very tempting, but I can't justify the cost right now. Our 7 cf KitchenAid gas dryer works fine. Functionally speaking, I do not think the Epic dryer would change much if anything compared to the KA. My Wife would like the matching dryer - we'll see how things go...

Andrew S.

 

[DADoES]

I always cleaned my Whirly and KA filters that way. The only glitch is that the whole wad of collected lint occasionally gets sucked off the screen ... and down through the blower plenum and into the ductwork.