I just came across this article on the popularity of Speed Queens . I think it’s worth reading if you evaluating washing machines.
http://time.com/money/4688676/speed-queen-best-washing-machine-american-made/
Slightly OT, but I want to give a shoutout to American-made appliances. A solid second place after the Germans, but if system integrators improve their game, Germans watch out! We just installed a KitchenAid DW in House1 and man… it washes soooo quietly Mr. B thought is was not working. 
I know everyone has been on pins and needles waiting to hear which washer/dryer I decided on, my husband sure was! :)) After talking to a different salesman at my local appliance store, as well as one at a big box store, I have decided on the Speed Queen. One of the main selling points was the ability to have a high water rinse cycle, not just in the wash cycle. Of course, the thought that it will not break and be obsolete in 6 years is also huge!
Thank you to everyone that suggested Speed Queen.
Update: we junked the 18 yr old Kenmore dryer and bought a Speed Queen. I am solidly impressed. As post #7 says, it the boss!
I’m resurrecting this thread because it appears both my washer and dryer are on their last legs.
You all still swear by Speed Queen? The appliance store 0.9 miles from our house sells them. I’m going there tomorrow.
Ive had my SQ washer and dryer for two weeks. The salesman at the independent store where I shopped highly recommended them. Solidly made and simple to use. Very similar in looks to my old kenmores but with some new features like lights inside the dryer etc.
It has not been that long, but I still love the dryer. Does what it says it should do. It even handled an air dry load of down jackets perfectly.
I just ordered the pair this morning. I’ll have them next Tuesday. 
The fellow at the appliance store said I’ll never have to buy another washer or dryer in my entire life.
Excellent. @VeryHappy
@VeryHappy - YES - get the Speed Queen. I’ve had mine for a few years now and it’s the best ever. I have the washer and when the drier dies, I’ll get the SQ drier.
I’ve also had my SQ washer for several years and love it.
After the horrid HE washer my DH got a deal on, we got the Speed Queen about 6 months ago. Yes, it was expensive for us, but after dealing w/ the HE I wanted one like our old style that DH could no longer repair.
It fills w/ water, it agitates, it spins, it rinses, it cleans in one cycle…It is the joy of my life! Worth every penny.
I know this has been answer…but do the speed queens have an agitator?
My top loader with mechanical dials does, yes. But it doesn’t twist our clothes and sheets the way the agitator-less Cabrio and Calypso did, and I have not found it to be hard on our clothes.
I can wash our queen size L.L.Bean Polartec blanket in it and my daughter’s comforter, but I don’t think a queen size comforter would fit.
Speed Queens makes both top loader and front loader models. They are apparently a major supplier of commercial laundromat front loader washers in the US, so they know heavy duty and sturdy.
Yes, the Speed Queens have the agitator which is a big reason we bought it. I agree w/ @CTmom2018 on not using it for a queen size comforter. The recommendations for the SQ are less than I had done with the old machine we had before; still a very good sized load.
I’ve washed queen-size comforters in my current GE washer, which appears to be smaller than the SQ I just bought. I’ll see if a queen-size comforter fits in the SQ when I get it next week, but I don’t know why it wouldn’t.
A word of warning. The 2018 Speed Queens are different from the previous models. This YouTube video explains the change.
Wow, that is disappointing! Glad I bought ours early last year.
@bookreader: Thanks for this. The video specifically talks about ones with electronic controls. I got the ones with knobs.