My Sapphire 830 measures 10 inchs from the needle to the end of the throat.
It is so much easier to shove a quilt thru but I will not go bigger than a lap size with it.
The only thing I do not like about my machine is the short space you have to change feet and thread the needle and my hand gets in the way. It has a threader but to lazy to learn to use it. You have to take the screw out to put on the walking foot,and the free motion feet a real pain.
With a set in table it is a hassel to push the button to lower the feed dogs, I have to lift my inset to get to it. These are small gripes and love my machine.