noise level - straight pipe v/s flowmaster

[BudgetWheeler]

My muffler was rusted thru and made hissing and raspy sounds so I cut it off yesterday with the intention of soon getting a Flowmaster. I was thinking about a 50 Series Deltaflow because I didn't want it to be very loud, just a deeper tone with no drone. I thought the straight pipe would be loud but was very surprised at how quiet it is. It is a bit louder than with the muffler but it's got a great tone to it and even on the highway it's not really much louder than with my muffler. Doesn't drone at all either.

So my question is, would a 40 Series Deltaflow be any louder than this straightpipe? Should I stick with wanting a 50 Series? I'm still thinking of getting a muffler because I figure a Flowmaster might give it a little deeper tone and I've read about how they are quiet on the highway, which would be nice since I'm do travel on the highway a good bit. Thanks for any insight.

[aparke4]

before i put my flow on i tested out a straight pipe and it was hella loud... my friend has a 4 runner with a stright pipe and you can hear him from a mile a way its kinda cool at first then got very irritating... it pops and sounds horrible from inside my 4 door... got my flow 2.5 with banks header and love it...magnaflow hi flow cat too - i like the 40 series personally its very durable and i like the sound

[BudgetWheeler]

before i put my flow on i tested out a straight pipe and it was hella loud...

Interesting, because I really don't think mine is loud and I'm pretty careful about noise levels. I've had some hearing loss and I carry my 2 very young children around with me and am careful about what they have to put up with. Perhaps some of it's driving style? I don't let my engine get above 2000 rpms when accelerating, I take it pretty easy. Maybe my cat is clogged and holding more sound back then it would if it were new?