I saw them installed and working at a showroom some months back. They weren't silent, but they were pretty quiet, as these things go. SZ and Perlick are the ones usually regarded as most quiet. Remember, the installation environment also matters and can magnify or deaden sound.

We all perceive and hear things differently.

I think it is hard to judge the noise level of an appliance in a showroom. Like seeing that big sectional at the showroom ... it doesn't look so big till you place it in a normal sized room!

Could you ask you dealer to share the name of other local customers who have installed these? Maybe he could arrange for you to visit another house with one installed.

Have you had service check them out?

I've got a pair of them. They are in the same room where we watch TV, I'd hear them if they made any noise. I find them in the acceptable noise range, which is almost silent.