I'm so glad to be rid of my old high efficiency washer and have one where I am able to choose the water level!  This machine is great - it fills quickly, has a large drum and has many options for washing.  The spin cycle really removes a lot of water from the clothes.  I also like that the lid doesn't lock during the wash cycle so you can open it without waiting to add clothes, etc.  (It does eventually lock during the spin cycle.)  It does seem a little louder than my last machine but this one has an agitator vs. an impeller that my old machine had.  I like the agitator better - but a great idea for the next iteration of this machine is a removable agitator - just for those occasional really large loads like comforters, etc.