I wonder if there's a difference in the noise between the generation 1 (what you have) and generation 2 BK 160? I don't know where you got your skimmer but the gen. 2 skimmers have been out for a while so I'm assuming whoever the retailer was had old stock kicking around.
I'm getting a BK 160 as well but I'm trying to make sure I get a gen. 2 model. I've heard mixed reviews on the gen. 2 "upgrades" so who knows if there even is much of a difference. For comparison, here's a picture of a gen. 2 BK 160. One of the differences you should notice right away is that the air silencer is now incorporated into the output as opposed to being 2 pieces in the gen. 1. Also, the air tube on the gen. 2 is a larger diameter than it is on the gen.1:
