Mine is just like yours but maybe a little newer as it has "energy saving settings" with all cold designations in blue as is the graphic for load size. On maxi, dry clothes can be to very top of tub but water won't be, that's correct. I rarely have anythng to wash that requies the water control to be set higher than half way between small & med. At that setting, water is usually just all pumped out before it shifts into high spin. At mini or small water setting & normal speed, I have lots of noise & vibration, at higher levels, very quiet & no vibration. If you hear lots of slapping, water level is too low, very fast roll over, too much water. Lots of Frigidaire everythng in this area of Indiana, had large F. dealers.