I can recommend LG machines... we have a top loader... quiet spin (our bedroom is next door and it doesn't worry us in the slightest)... steel barrel... gentle but effective... and doesn't have one of those space wasting central pillar thingys... you know, that are often found in the middle of the barrel... can't stand them!

If you want a very good machine that is a real workhorse then Maytag is a great brand... pricey though... when our LG dies we'll look at them.