Resmed S8 Elite vs Respironics M Series Pro - Noise levels

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:28 pm

Does anyone have any head-to-head experience with these two CPAPS?

I'm about to purchase my first CPAP and I'd like feedback as to which of these units is quieter.

I have about a months experience with the M-Series Pro (DME loaner) but no experience with the Elite.

I suspect the answer would be a no brainer if the S8 Elite II were available. But who knows how long that might be.

AMinNJ · Post by **AMinNJ** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:56 am

Hi there,

I have had both. Started CPAP therapy with the S8 Elite but switched after a few months to the M-Series so that I could use the Encore Pro software (couldn't get the ResMed software or card reader). My husband and I both realized immediately that the M-Series was much quieter and softer sounding.

I have been very happy with my M-Series machine. Not only is it quieter, but I seem to respond better to the C-Flex (on the M-Series) than the EPR (on the S8).

Good luck!

Angela

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:41 pm

Thank you for your reply!

Wow. My experience with the M Series Pro is that I could hear it breathing in and out with me, even over the noise of my original, cheapo mask. I was a little like having a second heavy-breather in the room! Not really bothersome, but I see no reason why the blower should make any noise at all. I was hoping for a quieter machine with the Resmed.

Have you had any leaks with the Respironics Pro humidifier? Many others on this board are reporting problems.

You indicate that you couldn't get the Resmed software or reader. Was this recently? Cpap.com has it available on their web site. It's expensive, but it's available.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:49 pm

I have the Elite S8 and have had no problems with it at all. I also feel it is pretty quiet but last night was my first night with the M Series Auto and even my husband said it was quiet.

hobbs · Post by **hobbs** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:55 pm

Have had a Resmed Vantage for (4) week now and don't know how it could be any more quiet. I went with the Resmed because it seemed to be a better built machine. Humidifier was much better design, no extra power brick needed and better info from the LCD. Like someone said "they all blow air". You may have noticed, this place is not what you would call Resmed friendly because of their real/perceived business practices.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:08 pm

Back when I bought my Encore Pro software (Nov/Dec '06), cpap.com had either temporarily stopped selling the Resmed software to consumers or you needed a prescription for it, I can't remember which. I remember it was during a time when Resmed was being very tempermental about online retailers selling any of their products to consumers, or Resmed was raising their minimum allowable sale prices, or something like that.

As for the breathing noise you hear from the M-Series, what do you have your C-flex set at? If it is 3, maybe you are simply noticing the sound more because of the change in blower pattern during exhales, and you might be perceiving it as loud simply because you are noticing it. My C-flex is only set at 1 so the change in sound is less apparent; I find that any higher than 1 and my AHI goes way up.

Hopefully, some more people with experience on both machines will weigh in here soon.

Either way, my husband and I definitely remember the M-series as being dramatically softer sounding than the S8.

Angela

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:59 pm

I have owned both ResMed and Respironics. I noticed that the ResMed Elite CPAP is quieter than the ResMed Vantage APAP ... and both the Respironics classic "tank" and M series APAPs were quieter than both ResMed machines.

Using exhalation relief also makes the machines a bit louder than using without exhalation relief regardless of whether it is EPR, CFLEX, or AFLEX.

Capri · Post by **Capri** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:55 pm

If there's any way you can try both (or others) our at your DME, that may be best. What I like most is not the machine but rather other issues: the ease of use of the integrated humidifier, the software, reliability, etc. They're both relatively quiet, but you may notice a significant difference. You be the judge.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:12 pm

[quote="Hose_Head"]Does anyone have any head-to-head experience with these two CPAPS?

I'm about to purchase my first CPAP and I'd like feedback as to which of these units is quieter.

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:18 pm

I think that the Resmed machines are well made and quiet, but I tend to like the technology behind the Respironics machines. A-Flex and C-Flex in Auto Mode are both great features. Their Encore Pro Viewer software is very easy to understand for the average user and it is also Vista compatible.

I can't wait to see what Respironics will think of next. Well, for that matter, any of the manufacturers that are forging ahead get my applause.

PS. If only cpap gear came out as fast as cell phones.. Ok.. I know I have an equipment fetish, but hey.. it's very cool technology.

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:49 pm

Many thanks to all who replied.

What I conclude from the replies is that these two CPAPs are either equal in noise quality or that there may be a slight advantage for the Respironics blower.

This means that other factors likely will play a bigger role in my decision to buy one or the other of these machines. Things such as reported leaky humidifiers (Respironics) and software.

Decisions ,,,, decisions......

I'm with you, Titrator, "If only cpap gear came out as fast as cell phones.." Moore's Law seems not to apply here.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:04 pm

Hose_Head wrote:This means that other factors likely will play a bigger role in my decision to buy one or the other of these machines. Things such as reported leaky humidifiers (Respironics) and software.

Personally, I wouldn't want the integrated humidifier for either of the two major brands. I'd get a separate heated humidifier -- the Fisher & Paykel HC 150 heated humidifier, for example -- which can be used with ANY brand/model machine.

hobbs wrote:You may have noticed, this place is not what you would call Resmed friendly because of their real/perceived business practices.

Yeah, this sure didn't win resmed friends among people who looked (either by choice or by necessity) to online cpap stores for their equipment:

LINKS to discussions about resmed's internet sales policy
viewtopic.php?p=98895

Actually, wayyyy back before that happened or was even a glint in resmed's eye, I had tried machines and software by Puritan Bennett, Respironics, and resmed. I had no reason to prefer one over another...went by which one had the features and/or software I liked best. Respironics and Puritan Bennett were my "keepers." As for effective treatment, I got good treatment from all of them.

Titrator · Post by **Titrator** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:17 pm

I have been using the same M Series humidifier for the last year and have not had any leaking issues. I know closer to the release of the M Series platform there we leak issues with a chamber but that has long since been taken care of. I don't know of any leaking issues of the last 6 or 8 months.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:10 pm

This is a follow up to my post. Like I said I have both machines and my husband says the M series is quieter but he did say thay each have a different pitch to the sound so what works for one persons hearing may not work for another.

norm · Post by **norm** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:39 pm

I have Remstar apap with A flex and a resmed elite 8. My wife thinks the resmed is quieter, but from my side of the bed, which is the side with the machine, I find the remstar whisper quiet and the resmed quite loud. But both are great machines, even if the companies that manufacture them are not great companies in terms of their business practices.

Resmed S8 Elite vs Respironics M Series Pro - Noise levels

Resmed S8 Elite vs Respironics M Series Pro - Noise levels

I like the M-Series

Another opinion . . .

The Black machine v. the White Machine

Re: Resmed S8 Elite vs Respironics M Series Pro - Noise leve

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