I bought this in December 2023.  It is quieter than my first Kitchen Aid lift mixer which was a 6 qt.  I purchased the 7 qt because I want to start making bread and pastry.  At the same time I purchased the stainless steel beater for pastry.  This device does not reach the bottom of the bowl.  I even put my 6 qt bowl on and it doesn't reach the bottom of that bowl.  I am the kind of person that when I encounter an obstacle, it pauses me.  Therefore, I have only used this mixer one time.  It worked well for mixing up my cookie dough.