As of July 2006, they have stoped using numbers and now Kenmore uses the terms:
QuietGuard™Deluxe
QuietGuard™Premium
QuietGuard™Ultra
QuietGuard™Supreme
Deluxe,Premium,Ultra are order of lowest end to highest end according to PDF from Sears about their "Turbozone" dishwashers. Ultra would expectedly be the least noisy.
Not clear how Supreme compares with the others. (Looks like model 17303 and 16303 are the only one with the Supreme label, and that looks to me like one that doesn't have the hard-food disposer)
QuietGuard™1
The QuietGuard™1 Sound Insulation includes a patented Tuned Mass Motor, which reduces motor noise at the source. The 4-sided tub insulation matched with a quiet drain, a standard fill valve and a lower door seal make dishwashing quieter.
QuietGuard™2
The QuietGuard™2 Sound Insulation takes the performance of the QuietGuard™1 and adds the Quiet Fill Valve that minimzes water noise as the dishwasher fills.
QuietGuard™3
The QuietGuard™3 Sound Insulation adds to the performance of the QuietGuard™2 Insulatoin with Twin Power Motors that circulate water quietly. The Activce Vent System closes during the wash cycle to reduce noise. The Silent Fill Valve virtually eliminates water noise as the dishwasher fills.
QuietGuard™4
The QuietGuard™4 Sound Insulation takes the performance of the QuietGuard™3 Insulation and adds extra door insulation.
QuietGuard™5
The QuietGuard™5 Sound Insulation includes Twin Power Motors for noiseless water circulation, 4-sided tub insulation with sound dampening material around tub sides, a Quiet Drain, a cabinet enclosure seal, a Silent Fill Valve that virtually eliminates water fill noise, a lower door seal, extra door insulation and a tub and door mastic. In addition, the Active Vent System closes during the wash cycle for further sound suppression.
QuietGuard™7
The QuietGuard™7 Sound Insulation includes Twin Power Motors for noiseless water circulation, 4-sided tub insulation with sound dampening material around tub sides, High Density Access Panel Enclosure Insulation, Bottom Insulation, a Quiet Drain, a cabinet enclosure seal, a Silent Fill Valve that virtually eliminates water fill noise, a lower door seal, extra door insulation and a tub and door mastic. In addition, the Active Vent System closes during the wash cycle for further sound suppression.
QuietGuard™8
The QuietGuard™8 Sound Insulation is Kenmore's quietest dishwasher ever. The QuietGuard™8 Insulation takes the performance of the QuietGuard™7 and adds Side Shields and extra Door Insulation.
