thanks, georgect, this is a bit pricey for me. Also it is not stackable. Any other washers mentioned?

Only the LG Signature was rated as "Excellent" in noise levels.

Pretty much all manufactures were rated "Very Good" for their upper and mid lines with the bottom (cheapest) lines were rated "Good".

Thanks for your help georgect!

Frontloaders tend to be very quiet during wash/rinse tumbling. Drain pumps, which are by necessity separate small electric motors typically mounted to the base, generate more noise. Spin involves 1) the pump running, 2) the drive motor running at much higher speeds than during tumbling, 3) varying degrees of tub oscillation depending on load-balance distribution (which involves suspension springs, damper shocks, and hoses jiggling) ... so reasonably can generate more noise than any other machine operation.

You're automatically increasing the noise of the washer by going stacked. A FL washer with a dryer stacked on it will increase in noise doing the spin cycle. There's a huge difference when they're not stacked.

Electrolux has a second floor guarantee going on where they guarantee that the noise/vibration level will be minimal and even acceptable for a second floor laundry room. If you are not satisfied, you can return them for a full refund. We are going with the Electrolux EFLS617STT washer; I think they are stackable. Salesman at the appliance store we went to said they are supposed to be one of the best washers on the market right now. http://www.electroluxappliances.com/Washers-Dryers/Second-Floor-Guarantee/