CXS12 noise levels

Skylier36

Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2022
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Just got a CXS12 direct shipped from Festool today (didn't have any instore at local Rockler/Woodcraft to try).
I am quite surprised at how much louder this model is compared to the original CXS and even some of my 8+ year old Brushless DeWalt drills.
Has anyone else noted the significant difference in volume?
Is the CXS18 equally as loud?
 
Thanks for the links, had this drill for less than 3 hrs and already considering returning.
Tried driving a few 2" woodscrews in the shop and it was loud; drove screws on the inside of a cabinet and it was amplified even further. Using it without hearing protection is a definitive no go.
 
I received my CXS-18 two days ago to compliment the two CXS (original) that I use constantly. And yes, the brushless motor in the new tool is a very different sound and I would say it's "louder". It doesn't bother me, however.
 
Someone wrote elsewhere that the noise settles after some use, maybe it's a little run in time - either in the tool or the ears  [big grin]
 
I intended to go to one of the Festool Experience events at the local supplier yesterday, just to see/hear this for myself, but I ran out of time. They are generally well stocked, so I can stop by next week anyway.
 
Crazyraceguy said:
I intended to go to one of the Festool Experience events at the local supplier yesterday, just to see/hear this for myself, but I ran out of time.

Myself also...they held the event at the local Woodcraft yesterday, but I also ran out of time.  [sad]

My quest primarily was to listen to & use the CXS 12 and the RSC 18. Then check out the CSC SYS 50.  [cool]
 
FWIW, I thought the same thing when I first used it, but now it doesn't seem to be something I notice. Not sure if it's actually gotten quieter with use or if I've just adjusted, but whatever the reason, the noise isn't an issue anymore after about a month of consistent use.
 
Jim_in_PA said:
I received my CXS-18 two days ago to compliment the two CXS (original) that I use constantly. And yes, the brushless motor in the new tool is a very different sound and I would say it's "louder". It doesn't bother me, however.

My experience is similar to Jim's, (except I only have one CSX). Louder yes, but not to the point that I will be returning it. I believe it was reported that the 12V was louder than the 18V in the other thread. That influenced my decision to get the 18V. (That and the fact I already have a fair number of the 18V batts.)
 
Cheese said:
Crazyraceguy said:
I intended to go to one of the Festool Experience events at the local supplier yesterday, just to see/hear this for myself, but I ran out of time.

Myself also...they held the event at the local Woodcraft yesterday, but I also ran out of time.  [sad]

My quest primarily was to listen to & use the CXS 12 and the RSC 18. Then check out the CSC SYS 50.  [cool]

I had planned on going, and even sent in the RSVP for the one here in town.  It was a day or 4 later when I thought, "when is that thing again?", looked, and saw that I had missed it.

Silly me, thinking that "registering" for the event would somehow put me on a reminder email list or something, considering how many other random emails I get from FUSA.

Next one is at Woodcraft about 30 minutes away this coming Thursday (I think).  I'll have to put it on my own calendar if I want to go.
 
Sound perceived levels is greatly affected by your attitude. An annoying neighbor is going to sound louder that the neighbor you like.

A barely perceived dog’s barking is more annoying when everything else has gone silent.

I was locked in battle with my neighbor at my condo who complained frequently to the board that my TV was too loud.

I bought a sound level meter from Radio Shack and set my TV’s sound level to 60 - 70 Db (conversation level) at 4 feet from the TV.  I invited a board member to check the sound level at anytime. (The neighbor finally got booted from the condo after a neighbor called the police.  She had kicked a hole in his front door.  But I think it was her assaulting the cop that tipped the balance.)

In any case, I have little faith that “loud” is really “loud” without some quantification.

Db meters ar not expensive, ranging from $20.00 and up.
https://www.google.com/search?q=noise level meter&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m
 
Packard said:
Probably as accurate as my old Radio Shack meter.  Sound level perception is highly subjective.  So a meter is useful.

You never know...although it would be interesting to compare it to a known quality meter.

It wasn't that long ago the "talking heads" surmised that a Leica Disto would be the only accurate laser measure...now there are probably 2 dozen.
 
Cheese said:
Packard said:
Probably as accurate as my old Radio Shack meter.  Sound level perception is highly subjective.  So a meter is useful.

You never know...although it would be interesting to compare it to a known quality meter.

It wasn't that long ago the "talking heads" surmised that a Leica Disto would be the only accurate laser measure...now there are probably 2 dozen.

Acoustic calibrators are used to check the accuracy of db meters.  Also not too expensive.  But how do you calibrate the calibrators? [big grin]
https://www.google.com/search?q=acoustic+calibrator&client=firefox-b-1-m&sca_esv=570114396&sxsrf=AM9HkKmRowD3bA9SKUCeqOj0DZv10LIVlw%3A1696275102495&ei=nhobZejqHb23ptQPu8W2wAk&oq=acoustic+cali&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDWFjb3VzdGljIGNhbGkqAggAMggQABiKBRiRAjIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIMEC4YFhgeGMcBGNEDSOSSAVC1HVibcnADeAKQAQCYAcQEoAGbFKoBCzAuNy4yLjIuMC4xuAEByAEA-AEBwgIEEAAYR8ICBxAjGIoFGCfCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGMcBGNEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QPCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICCxAAGIoFGLEDGIMBwgIIEC4YgAQY5QTCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICCxAAGIoFGLEDGJECwgIFEC4YgATCAgsQLhivARjHARiABOIDBBgAIEGIBgGQBgg&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

As an aside, I learned that accuracy may not be what we aspire to.  I bought a pricy “reference grade” set of earbuds.  It came with the results of the testing that showed the actual sound levels as a black line and the reproduction as a blue line on a linear graph.  If the testing is to be believed (and I do believe them), then they should sound great.

But we (the editorial “we”) have been bombarded with bass-heavy music for so long, that accurate reproduction sounds slightly tinny.  Though I would note that it does an exceptional job of reproducing voices.  So I rarely use the reference grade earbuds, favoring the triple driver earbuds with the over-boosted bass.  Accuracy be damned.
 
It's not really the volume of the sound that matter to me that much. I am in a huge shop, very near the end of one of the trunk lines of the dust collection system, plus the drop for my miter saw. Sound is around all to time, it's the pitch (frequency) of that sound that can bother me. I've had Tinnitus for the last 43 years and certain higher pitched sounds are quite annoying.
 
Packard said:
Cheese said:
Packard said:
Probably as accurate as my old Radio Shack meter.  Sound level perception is highly subjective.  So a meter is useful.

You never know...although it would be interesting to compare it to a known quality meter.

It wasn't that long ago the "talking heads" surmised that a Leica Disto would be the only accurate laser measure...now there are probably 2 dozen.

Acoustic calibrators are used to check the accuracy of db meters.  Also not too expensive.  But how do you calibrate the calibrators? [big grin]
https://www.google.com/search?q=acoustic+calibrator&client=firefox-b-1-m&sca_esv=570114396&sxsrf=AM9HkKmRowD3bA9SKUCeqOj0DZv10LIVlw%3A1696275102495&ei=nhobZejqHb23ptQPu8W2wAk&oq=acoustic+cali&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDWFjb3VzdGljIGNhbGkqAggAMggQABiKBRiRAjIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIMEC4YFhgeGMcBGNEDSOSSAVC1HVibcnADeAKQAQCYAcQEoAGbFKoBCzAuNy4yLjIuMC4xuAEByAEA-AEBwgIEEAAYR8ICBxAjGIoFGCfCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGMcBGNEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEY0QPCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICCxAAGIoFGLEDGIMBwgIIEC4YgAQY5QTCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICCxAAGIoFGLEDGJECwgIFEC4YgATCAgsQLhivARjHARiABOIDBBgAIEGIBgGQBgg&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

As an aside, I learned that accuracy may not be what we aspire to.  I bought a pricy “reference grade” set of earbuds.  It came with the results of the testing that showed the actual sound levels as a black line and the reproduction as a blue line on a linear graph.  If the testing is to be believed (and I do believe them), then they should sound great.

But we (the editorial “we”) have been bombarded with bass-heavy music for so long, that accurate reproduction sounds slightly tinny.  Though I would note that it does an exceptional job of reproducing voices.  So I rarely use the reference grade earbuds, favoring the triple driver earbuds with the over-boosted bass.  Accuracy be damned.

I do noise measurement by profession and have class 1 and class 2 measurement devices from Bruel & Kjear and NTI. I use them for reports that are scrutinized by government agencies. This post references my experiences with the CXS 18 and the few measurements I did on the CXS 12. It's true that an annoying sound will be perceived as louder. I have two warnings. first and foremost, in my opinion you need to wear hearing protection if you are using this tool for more that about half an hour a day at about arms length. Less if you hold it closer or if you are working inside a cabinet.  Two; Cheap microphones and measurement devices can be relatively accurate, let's say within 2 or 3 dB between 60 and 90 dBSPL. But they have bad signal to noise ratio with soft sounds and cannot handle loud sounds. I am skipping this generation of CXS/TXS, which is a shame because except for the noise, i think the feature set is great.
 
I’d like to add from my experience with the CXS 18 that it is most pronounced at the highest rpm’s. So when fastening at normal lower speed the noise is much lower, and has a lower pitch too. So in practice for me, it is bearable. Drilling at high speed is a situation we usually have the tool farthest from our ears.. Inside a cabinet, maybe not..
 
FestitaMakool said:
I’d like to add from my experience with the CXS 18 that it is most pronounced at the highest rpm’s. So when fastening at normal lower speed the noise is much lower, and has a lower pitch too. So in practice for me, it is bearable. Drilling at high speed is a situation we usually have the tool farthest from our ears.. Inside a cabinet, maybe not..

You drive screws in the lower gear? I only do that when the required torque isn't there in the higher gear.
 
Coen said:
FestitaMakool said:
I’d like to add from my experience with the CXS 18 that it is most pronounced at the highest rpm’s. So when fastening at normal lower speed the noise is much lower, and has a lower pitch too. So in practice for me, it is bearable. Drilling at high speed is a situation we usually have the tool farthest from our ears.. Inside a cabinet, maybe not..

You drive screws in the lower gear? I only do that when the required torque isn't there in the higher gear.

Yes Coen, almost always with the exception of small screws when working with none fine material and fastening, and if fast progression is wanted. Mostly when speed is needed, I use one of my impacts..
Benefits:
Drill doesn’t get hot, or burnt brushes..
Minimal chance of cam out
Better driving control to set the screw properly
Battery life - lasts longer
And I rarely fiddle with clutch settings.. 😅

Its similar to pulling a heavy boat up on a boat ramp… with either; a manually shifted 2wd car with high gearing or a 4x4 with low range gear box. It’s panic with overheated clutch and spinning tires ripping the trailer and bumping the boat up to a safe level vs pulling slowly with absolutely no drama, smilingly crawling to the top..
 
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