Poor Speed Queen "HomeStyle" Line

[launderess]

Latest CR issue on washers and dryers is out and the SQ front loader came in dead LAST amoung all washers, even behind Roper.

Apparently CR marked the unit down for short cycle times, washing results, and some other things. Will post more once have a chance to read my entire issue/article.

SQ dryers didnt' fare much better either. Alliance Laundry Systems had better pull their socks up and get on the ball.

Launderess

 

[westytoploader]

I noticed that as well as its low score of 31, probably for no other reason than the fact that CR detests short cycles. What's interesting, though, is that they didn't test the new Speed Queen top-loader...maybe they realized that it had actually had some potential.

CR has become more and more "anti-conventional-TL" lately, but it's not like I take their ratings seriously anymore anyway. A lot has changed in the 7, almost 8 years that I've held a subscription (since age 10, starting with the August 1998 issue), that's for sure!

 

[varenovator]

Maybe SQ deserved it

I was seriously considering the SQ model last month. The salespeople I spoke with were very knowledgeble - maybe too knowledgable! The consistent story I got was that the SQ's really are basically commercial machines with minor changes for the consumer market. Plusses are that they are built like a truck and should be reliable. The downsides were the cycle times - they really are tuned to the laundromat market, where time is money, and shorter cycles mean more loads per day and more $$$. Especially in a high efficiency FL, the lower water usage puts a premium on getting the washing process right, and you just can't do it in 9 minutes. As I recall, there weren't many cycle choices, so even if 'normal' wasn't effective, the longest cycle was still pretty short. That's great if you don't care what the results are. The other drawback to the laundromat engineering were also nailed by CR - noise! And both the washer and dryer lack some of the basic things that consumers expect - onboard heaters for the washer (low water usage puts a premium on getting the temp right) and moisture sensors for the dryer.

 

[alr2903]

guess it depends.................

On what you really wash the SQ FL, IMHO has nice looks, I very seldom have Heavily soiled laundry. I hope the SQ FL, is still around when our Amana TL finally gives out. Off subject but i heard the Canadian teachers union is one of the top stock holders in Alliance is this true? alr2903.

 

[the7]

varenovator
As stated in SQ website, SQ has one model with internal heater.

 

[hibeta]

Noise is certainly NOT an issue with the fl SQ washer or dryer. In fact, they are extremely quiet...much quieter than the tl washer/dryer set that they replaced. I haven't seen the CR report yet, but these are very quiet regardless of other poster's comments.

 

[varenovator]

CR hammered the SQ dryer for its noise level (and no moisture sensor)
You're right, they do have a model with an internal heater, but it's the one with the rear controls; we were planning on using pedestals, which would have made reaching the controls difficult, so we never really considered it.

And yes, the Ontario Teachers pension fund is a major stockholder of Alliance Laundry. They've gone through a couple of leveraged buyouts over the years.

 

[frigilux]

I'm willing to bet the farm that all SQ needs to do is to at LEAST double the 9-minute washing time and their score will skyrocket into competitive territory.

I don't believe CR has anything against short cycles; in fact they generally point out which dishwashers clean well without taking 2-1/2 hours. But if the clothes don't come out clean, well that's the bottom line, isn't it? Can you imagine a Mom of several dirt-and stain-magnets getting a FL SQ and having clothes come out unclean? I'd be pissed.

 

[jimmyb]

I don't care what CR says

I have had the Speed Queen ATS90 washer for just under a year and a dryer as well and would not trade them for the world. I think people today just want to throw clothes in a machine and expect perfection. My laundry is never heavily soiled and I do pretreat stains. Yes the cycle is shorter but my clothes are just as clean as everyone elses. And yes the machines do make a little noise but no more than many of the other machines that are on the market.

So nanny nanny boo boo to CR!

 

[frigilux]

jimmyb-- No one has wanted to see SQ return to the home market more than me. I've always been a big fan. I especially admire them for not jumping on the syper-fast agitation bandwagon in the TL'ers. As for noise and cleaning issues, CR judges every machine against the best-performing machine they've tested; Currently, that would be the Neptune TL (tops in cleaning) and the Miele FL'er (quietest). Again, all SQ has to do is add the option for a much longer wash (at least 18 mins.) and even people who wash heavily soiled loads (like me) and who don't pretreat (like me) will get clean clothes from their SQ, too!

 

[whirlcool]

I imagine with the glued on front control panel and microchip circuits they could probably offer an upgrade kit pretty cheaply. All it would take is a reprogramed chip replacement and a new control panel to get more wash time.

 

[toggleswitch]

I cant take CR seriously.

They once downgraded a (T/L) washer years ago because the washer did not have a recessed lip around the top and any water on it would drip to the floor. By that logic older Maytags would be bad.

They also hated Euro DW-ers because of excessive cycle times and non self-cleaning food filters. Now they have certainly changed their tune.

When I sold appliances for Sears part-time after a full-time day on the accounting job, the BEST customers to F--- with were the ones with Consumer Report's under their arms. They usually had the least amount of sense of all.

Then there was the time the customer had a 23.50 inch wide space and wanted a 24.00 inch machine. I would simply put all that in the *comments* section of the invoice. Delivery knew me personally and would call to thank me for making their jobs easier.

But all that is another story, for another thread!

 

[norgeman]

Than you Toggles

I am glad that someone else said that about CR. They are supposed to be unbiased (not sure of spelling) but I have found in like the last 20 years that they have become very biased in favor of Whirlpool or Kenmore and how great they were supposed to be, and that is just not the case as a friend of mine has had two Kenmores and one Whirlpool and has hated all three as she says that they don't clean. She had a used Frigidaire and it washed better than any of the W/K's. When me and my wife had our Montgomery Wards/Norge washer we had her look at it when we were doing laundry and it pulled the clothes down better than her brand new Kenmore. Our Norge/Montgomery Wards was a far better washer than Kenmore or Whirlpool, but CR rated Kenmore and Whirlpool higher.

http://[email protected]

 

[tolivac]

Read the article of the CU washer reviews-strange they didn't test any of the SQ TL washers??I don't go by CU reviews on products either.The vacuum cleaner reviews in the Oct 2005 issue were about the same as the ones in the March 2006 issue-except a few extra models and comments on the "robot" vacuums.The vac delears in my area laugh at the CU vac tests.It is well known that Hoover Maytag gives CU very generous yearly donations--whose your daddy?After the transfer of Maytag to WP-then see how the CU reviews go.

 

[agiflow]

norgeman

Maybe your friend was doing something wrong.....how can a washer not clean? My experience with WP/KM has been just the opposite. These machines clean very well in my experience.

As far as circulation goes, WP/KM washers i have/had .."rollover" has always been consistent in these machines.

Washer for washer, a WP/KM machine will circulate clothes FAR better than a Norge ever can. My mom had a Norge in the 70's and early 80's, it just could not rollover full loads well at all. Though it cleaned well.

We all have our personal preferences. I find WP/KM washers to be very good machines overall. I would not hesitate for a second to recommend one of their laundry products.

 

[toggleswitch]

Give me some sugar baby!

It is well known that Hoover Maytag gives CU very generous yearly donations--whose your daddy?

Said: CR does not accept advertising! Silly silly me I thought there were legit, but flakey and random.

AHA, Eureka! This certainly makes it all a bit clearer, eh?

 

[angus]

Agiflow - you hit the nail on the head. A Norge, by its design would not have "roll over". The straight vane agitators are not designed to roll clothes. So the comparison between a straight vane and the dreadful WP "corkscrew" is apples to oranges. If we look at history, Norge Timelines and their successors, as well as late 60's and later GE filter flo's with the straight vanes always topped CU's ratings for washing performance. Conversely, KM's with the Roto-Swirl agitator, while providing roll over usually didn't fare as well in washing performance.

I guess my conclusion is that roll over alone doesn't automatically mean superior washing performance. So I am still uncertain why many folks are tied only to good roll over. Give me a nice straight vane GE or the wavy vane Speed Queen - at least my laundry will last longer......

 

[agiflow]

angus

Angus i agree about straight vane agitators in general. Ramp agitators are ok, but a straight vane will handle a larger load more effectively. Of course older Norge and Mayag designs prove rollover is not needed to clean well.

 

[tgodel]

Consumers Union has become way, way out of touch in the last five years. It's been said before, it will be said again, but I just don't take Consumer Reports very seriously any more.

--Trip