Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Swell-Tub on April 23, 2008, 11:14:52 am

Title: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Swell-Tub on April 23, 2008, 11:14:52 am: So what is the feeling of tub owners on this forum. Is a stereo a worthwhile option or not. Can you use it while the jets are on or do they go un-used for the most part. It does add a lot to the cost of the tub if they are not worth it then maybe the money could be used for something better like a motor driven cover lift.

Scott ::)
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Bonibelle on April 23, 2008, 11:35:11 am: Scott, we have transducers in our spa shell which allow us to connect our home stereo to the tub. My husband loves it..and claims he would not buy a spa without it (or some sort of music system). For me, I like to talk to him in the tub, or listen to the birds or wildlife sounds in the night. So it is going to depend of your own personal preference. I can honestly say having the sound coming from the tub beats having speakers on the deck, if you want to listen with the jets on. We have both and when he puts the deck stereo on, you can not hear the music over the jets enough to enjoy it. The sound coming from the shell is clear however.

I think it is really hard to imagine just how you will use your tub. My husband loves music so when they showed him the sound option on our Epic, he had to have it. He loves having a glass of wine listening to Andrea Bocelli. I thought I would enjoy that too, but I have found (especially in the dead of the winter), I love the sounds of the outdoors. Maybe because I am not not normally relaxing outside when the temp is 30 and below. :o

About the motor on the cover lifter, now that's a waste of money in my opinion. I would rather buy bird seed!! ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Spatech_tuo on April 23, 2008, 11:49:49 am: Quote
He loves having a glass of wine listening to Andrea Bocelli.

She's really good!! ;) ;D
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Swell-Tub on April 23, 2008, 11:50:54 am: Quote
Scott, we have transducers in our spa shell which allow us to connect our home stereo to the tub.

About the motor on the cover lifter, now that's a waste of money in my opinion. I would rather buy bird seed!! ;D ;D ;)
I wish either of my choices had tranducers because I did like them better. The Arctic that I looked at had a transducer system. I was kidding about the motorized lift and I don't know if they even exist.

Scott ;)
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Zep on April 23, 2008, 12:42:32 pm: i vote no on the stereo
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on April 23, 2008, 12:54:42 pm: I like stereos but I don't push em. We don't have a lot of problems with them, but I also like peace and quiet when I soak. 20% of our spas go out with stereos, up here most have outdoor sound systems.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Swell-Tub on April 23, 2008, 01:13:26 pm: I would think that the transducers would add the the therapy because it makes the water vibrate. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Spatini on April 23, 2008, 01:43:51 pm: I'll vote for the stereo , and if you want peace and quite , just turn it off, but it will be nice with the floating remote to control stereo , lights , and pumps , to have it there when you want it.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: windsurfdog on April 23, 2008, 02:21:23 pm: I wouldn't buy a spa with a built-in stereo just as I wouldn't buy a stereo with a built-in spa...

As much as I love music, I'm easily satisfied with separate devices...and maintenance on each I would guess to be much easier as separates. And certainly one can get a LOT more quality for their music dollar considering the spa stereo add-ons are in the $1000 range...

But, that's why we have a choice. Glad you asked, Swell. 8-)
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Merlin on April 23, 2008, 02:35:18 pm: I vote No.

Spend that $$$ that you would for the "stereo model" on a REAL sound system and have some external speakers wired up for your patio etc. much better IMO
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Bonibelle on April 23, 2008, 03:52:22 pm: Funny, Scott..the speakers do kind of vibrate. My sister's kids are both hearing impaired and when they go in the tub, they have to take their hearing aids off. I can turn the music on for them and they can "hear" it through the vibrations in the shell...it's kind of cool!
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: H823Putt on April 23, 2008, 04:10:26 pm: I wanted a stereo when I went looking for my spa. It just happen that the spa I liked the best comes with a stereo. I have the Caldera Aspire The radio reception is not the best but I use the CD player a lot. One of the things I like about it is that I can control the volume and track selection from my aux panel. I don't use it as much as I thought I would but it is nice to be able to pop in a CD and just sit back and relax with some good tunes and a cold drink. ;D
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: webboy on April 23, 2008, 06:23:19 pm: Hey Swell-Tub,

It was great talking to you when you where in SLC. It's a little trippy meeting someone from the forum. I think we need to throw a party at the next Aqua show in Las Vegas and Swell-Tub can host it, that way we can put the faces to the names.

As for the stereo, my vote is with Merlin. I don't have speakers on my tub, don't miss it, but I plan on putting a nice system on the patio.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: hottbpete on April 23, 2008, 06:24:55 pm: If the Gurus here say that they actually work long term....then I would get the option. I love to listen to tunes in the tub....mostly Blues. I did not get the option. I have outdoor speakers and a volume control outside near the tub.

A few things:

outside speakers need to be turned up prety loud to be heard.....thus in the winter...you can hear the music down the street....no one is out anyway, but in the summer , even with the leaves on the trees...you can hear it.

It's very costly and time consuming to run all the neccessary cables. You can weigh that against the cost of the option.

I say ....get the tunes...I wish I had done it. I was afraid that with all the steam and the cold....that the speakers would fail and would really be a pain to replace.

Oh well....

If you do plan to run the outdoor line, come visit me at my site for great prices on cable... www.showmecables.com
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Richs100 on April 23, 2008, 07:18:20 pm: Swell-Tub

I've got a Hot Spring Envoy with the SpAudio II system installed. I didn't have any music system with my old tub.

In comparing with/without, I find I really enjoy the new system and turn it on about 90% of the time. It's a transducer system with additional external speakers for the patio area. Very nice system. The sound is great. In fact, I was in the tub last evening and was noticing that the sound even got better if I relaxed and put my head against a pillow. It only took about a year and a half to notice this. Kinda neat!

The other thing I like about the transducer system is that it is plenty loud when you're in the tub, but does not project a lot of sound outside of the tub. (the external speakers do that if you want) So I think it's a good system if you're concerned about disturbing close neighbors.

And yes, the sound is very good even with both pumps on high.

Rich
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Vanguard on April 23, 2008, 08:24:01 pm: Scott,

I really think this comes down to a personal decision. For the most part, the stereos you see out there now work pretty good. Early on, a lot of them had issues, but I think most things have been worked out.

There are multiple choices for stereos out there. Most seem to be factory installed and that has its benefits. Some are after-market. The nice thing about that is you can buy the spa now and the stereo later if you decide you'd like it.

The early transducers were a cool idea, but the sound quality was lacking. I think a lot of that has cleared up now, especially when those systems add external speakers.

The cost for a stereo is pretty high when you compare to home stereo systems. The home systems typically sound better. But, when you want to change the volume, track, whatever, you really don't want to have to get out of the spa to do that. That's the advantage of spa stereos. They usually have some kind of remote that will control a number of stereo features.

Well, that's my two cents worth. Again, it comes down to a personal decision.

I do have a stereo on my spa and I like it. I typically play soft music such as jazz and really enjoy that in the background.

Good luck with your decisions.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Vanguard on April 23, 2008, 08:26:30 pm: Quote
Hey Swell-Tub,

It was great talking to you when you where in SLC. It's a little trippy meeting someone from the forum. I think we need to throw a party at the next Aqua show in Las Vegas and Swell-Tub can host it, that way we can put the faces to the names.

As for the stereo, my vote is with Merlin. I don't have speakers on my tub, don't miss it, but I plan on putting a nice system on the patio.

The Aqua Show is no more. Hanley-Woods, who bought the show a couple of years ago, and owns the International Pool & Spa Expo, has decided to merge the shows. They also are combining another outdoor living show to create one show.

Thank goodness. There are far too many trade shows in this industry.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: wewannahottub on April 23, 2008, 09:48:03 pm: Quote
Scott,

The cost for a stereo is pretty high when you compare to home stereo systems. The home systems typically sound better. But, when you want to change the volume, track, whatever, you really don't want to have to get out of the spa to do that. That's the advantage of spa stereos. They usually have some kind of remote that will control a number of stereo features.

Well, that's my two cents worth. Again, it comes down to a personal decision.

I do have a stereo on my spa and I like it. I typically play soft music such as jazz and really enjoy that in the background.

Good luck with your decisions.

Vanguard--that has been my argument the whole time-yes we have an awesome house sound system, but how would we be able to change the station/cd/etc when we wouldnt be able to use a remote??

We personally want the stereo system regardless of WHAT brand!!

chrisi
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Tailhooker on April 23, 2008, 10:05:38 pm: I am personally a fan of the IPOD setup on a few of the brands. Wondering if the spa remotes work for the IPOD setup too, I don't think the MP3 jacks are controllable from inside the tub. $1000+ is pretty expensive but it is nice to have the tunes right at your fingertips. On the other hand a $1K could go to making a nice outdoor setup.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Vanguard on April 23, 2008, 10:12:28 pm: The iPod set up for the Watkins' spas is a wireless system. You plug your iPod onto the SpaCast unit in your house. I don't think you can control all the features of the iPod from the remote that is included with the system, but you can change volume and other stuff. One of the Watkins' dealers would be able to tell you for sure. The other cool thing is you can use the system to listen to your home stereo, TV, etc.

I like the one on the Sundance and Jacuzzi spas as well. You just plug the iPod into the docking station right there on the spa. It has a cover so the iPod doesn't get wet.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Skellman on April 24, 2008, 08:50:25 am: Is it worth another $1k if you have a choice? I'd be hard-pressed to go with it.

I didn't want a stereo initially but, I had to take it as I purchased a floor model.
However, the more I soak the more I enjoy having the stereo.

Hhmm, after reading my post I guess I haven't really helped much. Sorry. :-[

If you enjoy music and maybe a little air guitar, I'd get it.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: windsurfdog on April 24, 2008, 01:32:05 pm: Quote
If you enjoy music and maybe a little air guitar, I'd get it.

8-) 8-) 8-)...maybe a little water guitar???... 8-) 8-) 8-)
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Vanguard on April 24, 2008, 11:48:38 pm: Quote
Is it worth another $1k if you have a choice? I'd be hard-pressed to go with it.

Something being "worth it" is 100% in the eye of the beholder. What may not be worth it to me may be totally worth it to you.

I say this choice really comes down to personal preference.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: drewstar on April 25, 2008, 07:59:30 am: Steroes on hot tubs are very expensive.

Some lower end tubs throw on the tub them in to add "flash" to an otherwisepoor quality tub.

If on a budget, I would recomed that a new buyer purchase a higher end quality hot tub without a steroe, as opposed to a bargin tub with a stereo.

I would also warn new buyers who don't care one way or the other, to save thier money and not let a salesmen upsell them on a very expensive option.

However, if one has the budget for the steroe options, and you strongly feel you want to enjoy quality music while in the hot tub, then by all means, get one. The majority of folks who have the stereo say they enjoy it...just don't compromise the tub for an option, or buy one because it's a "must have". It's not. Personaly I enjoy the quiet time, and when others soak in my tub, we enjoy talking.

Ihave some decent outdoor speakers mounted in my yard, I love them and enjoy them all the time. They are a great investment. But when it comes to the hot tub, you don't get a quality sound from them over the jets. If someone was going to put toghethor thier own sound system for the hot tub, I would recomend they mount the speakers very close to the tub (I'd guess within 5') and have them pointed/aimed to the hot tub. When the jets are on, there's alot of noise to overcome.
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Lars on April 25, 2008, 09:48:47 am: You can get a very nice mini system from Onkyo or Denon with all the bells and whistles for about $400 and stick it on a shelf next to the spa.

Or a cheaper one from Sony for $100.

And yes, they come with remotes.

Or, get a IR sender for the house stereo for $60 and run some quality speakers out.

But jezz, for $1,000 you could put a 7.1-Channel THX Certified Home Theater System out there. The neighbors would hate you, but sacrifices must be made...
Title: Re: Stereo or No Stereo?
Post by: Brothersean on April 26, 2008, 02:46:21 pm: We LOVE our stereo,

  The dealer having a Sundance Optima on the floor playing Smooth Jazz most of the time we went there really added to the appeal. (of owning a spa)

  So, we got that option on our 08 Cameo. We are very glad that we did. We use it about 90 % of the time we/I go in. Sound quality is superb and with the powered subwoofer mounted in the cabinet somewhere you can really "feel" the music . It also sounds great from outside the spa if you turn it up a little.

  The receiver works remarkably well considering that we live on a lake in a state forest!

  The floating waterproof remote control is great too. We put it in a protective zip-lock kind of bag I had from kayaking just in case. I believe that it also controls the IPod dock but I don't have an IPod at this point. It can also control the pumps and jets and has some other functionality (timed cycles, ect.) if you purchase an additional component.

  We considered an ouddoor music system but we didn't want to bother the neighbors or go through the hassle of researching, buying, hooking it up, ect.

  Anyway..............we love it............Sean