Female cockatiels as pets?

If you've had a female cockatiel (or even better, a male and female so you can compare), please tell me how they are as pets. I have read that males are louder and like to be cuddled, but I am worried about sound levels. I have a conure (she is relatively quiet... No screaming. She chirps and calls to me and that's okay). I'm worried because they are in my living room and my dad does his work in there, and I don't want him to be annoyed. I do want a whistler though, and a fun, cuddly little cockatiel. How different are males and females in personality, because from what I have read they seem quite different.