I think most cat owners know this

[Linflas]

The cat's meow
"A scientist studying how humans respond to feline vocalizations has found that cats can communicate with people, and perhaps even manipulate them. Nichola Nicastro, a graduate student in psychology at Cornell University (and owner of two cats), tape-recorded 100 different vocalizations. He then played the sounds to 26 volunteers and asked them to rate each sound for pleasantness.
"When he had 28 other volunteers rate each sound for urgency, Mr. Nicastro discovered that the most pleasant sounds seemed the least urgent and the least pleasant sounded most urgent. He presented his work at a meeting of the Acoustical Society of America this month.
"The most urgent calls had 'more energy in the lower frequencies, along the lines of mee-o-o-o-o-o-w!' he said in a statement. The most pleasant 'tended to be shorter. These sounds started high and went low, like MEE-ow.'
"'Though they lack language, cats have become very skilled at managing humans to get what they want ? basically, food, shelter and a little human affection,' he said. He posited that cats might mew in an appealing way when they are in an animal shelter waiting to be adopted, but will sound much more demanding if dinner is late."
?From "Cats are in charge, after all" in the July 5 Chronicle of Higher Education

Anyone with a couple of cats is well aquainted with the demanding noises they are capable of at suppertime.

 

[txgixer]

We have four cats.

My two Bengals (Simba & Nala) are by far the MOST vocal felines I have ever owned. They can almost talk to me with their noises. They are also the most personable and fun cats I have ever owned. Both Bengals like strangers, children, and are very playful with the other cats in the house.

My Russian Blue is mostly silent, with the exception of breakfast, lunch, and dinner She spends most of the time under the poster bed or in the window sunning.

The Maine my excellent compatriot is only vocal when he wants attention or is expressing apprehension or anger. He does not appreciate children.

 

[Freejack2]

Our cats are generally quiet.
The only time I can think of when I really hear anything is when the older one is about to puke up a hairball or really wants attention.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
Our cats are generally quiet.
The only time I can think of when I really hear anything is when the older one is about to puke up a hairball or really wants attention.

That would be the tell tale rapid glup glup glup noise. My Pavlovian response to that is to grab the paper towel roll.