Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Dee Dee on February 21, 2006, 12:59:09 am
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My husband and I have been looking into purchasing a hot tub. We both really like the "extreme" seat Master Spa has. We have it narrowed down to two the LSX for $9,595.00 and the LSX700 for $8,595.00. We have the money to spend for the LSX and space for the hot tub is not limited. Which one would you buy if either? Are Master Spas really that good? Does anyone else offer an "extreme seat"?
Any input is greatly appreciated. This is a REALLY large purchase for us.
Dee Dee & Lou
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I would wet test every available dealer in your area. It's a large investment so you want a tub that's going to fit you perfect. Where do you live?
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I have a friend with a 4 year old LSX that he hasn't had a problem with.
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DeeDee,
Sorry I didn't respond earlier to your post.....I was vacationing last week and mercifully had no inet access.
I have a 2004 LSX which has been issue free for 1.5 years now......and I love it now as I did on day one. Check out my review here: MasterSpas LSX (http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/reviews.cgi?view=product&pid=235&rid=368&pg=5&sort=&search=)
Here's some pics of mine: My LSX (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brdhd/album?.dir=e8c7&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos)
Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
Good luck and happy tubbing!
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Hey Windsurfdog... If I could have purchased an LSX for under $8000 like you did, my backyard might look a little different ;)
In my wet test report the LSX came out on top for one major reason. I absolutely loved the Extreme Therapy seat. No other spa provides a massage like it. Some are close in intensity but none have the number or variety of standard and whirlpool jets.
Too bad the best deal I could get was over $10,000. All things considered though, I'm extremely happy that I went with the Jacuzzi 385.
If I was going to buy a Master Spa I would definitely buy the LSX over the LSX700.
Wet Test Report: http://www.members.cox.net/duffman471/Spa_Wet_Testing_Analysis.htm
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Wow! Thanks for all of the responses.
Duffman - that wet test report is great. I have been looking all over for something like that and I think its really great that you actually tried all them hot tubs out, then took the time to write up that report! Awesome!
- Thank You!
Windsurfdog - I love the pictures and your hot tub. (I am the one that wants the LSX and he wants the LSX700.) I was amazed by the price too. We went to a spa show and they wanted $10,900.00, then we found a local dealer and they want $9,595.00 and you bought yours last year for $8,000.00? From where?
Wmccall - thank you for the info.
Hideaway_King - Thanks for the advice. We are going to get in our bathing suits and go try them out, but after reading Duffman's report I feel like I already have... and we are from PA, between Trenton and Philadelphia.
Thanks again for all the responses. I'll let you know how we do wet testing them.
Dee Dee
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Windsurfdog - I love the pictures and your hot tub. (I am the one that wants the LSX and he wants the LSX700.) I was amazed by the price too. We went to a spa show and they wanted $10,900.00, then we found a local dealer and they want $9,595.00 and you bought yours last year for $8,000.00? From where?
I purchased mine from Spa Warehouse in Tampa, FL--great people to work with. At the time, they were the only MasterSpas dealer in Florida--now there is one in Tallahassee within 35 miles of my home. I set a limit of $8000 for my purchase and really liked the therapy of the LSX over others I tried though I did try to buy a Sundance Cameo from a local dealer who was a.......well, let's just say he was not interested in my business. I negotiated about 2-3 months before striking the deal. Beginning price was around $9500--just like your price.
Also, I have a friend with an LS700 and it is very similar to the LSX though the Extreme Therapy seat of the LSX definitely sets it apart.
Good luck with your purchase. Even at $9500 I feel you would be completely satisfied with the LSX. I haven't soaked in a tub I like any better though there are many brands/models that are certainly worthy of your consideration.
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For us not familliar with the spa, what is the difference between the LSX and LSX700?
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Been extremely pleased with my LSX (in northern Virginia) since Aug 04.
As you see from other postings, there is NO subsitute for "wet-testing" several tubs BEFORE purchase. Testing tipped me to the MasterSpa as opposed to the Jacuzzi. Although 5'-11" apparently I have a "long torso" because I could not fit under the "lip" of the shoulder therapy seat on the Jacuzzi. The LSX has a seat that does the shoulders great and I fit just fine.
RAY
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I am interested in seeing other replies to this, but the differences I see, other than the $1,000.00 price differences are - (stuff I am reading from there book) -The LSX is 94"x94"x36", the LSX700 is 84"x84"x36", LSX is 450 gallons, the LSX700 is 380 gallons, both have 2 waterfalls, both have 2 master blasters, both have 2 secondary remotes, both have 150sq ft flitration, both have 4 pumps, the LSX has 87 jets, the LSx700 has 81 jets. The LSX has 5 seats (one is a "cool down" seat, one is a lounge and one is the extreme seat), the LSX700 has 4 seats (one is a lounge and one is the extreme seat).
Now the reasons I like the LSX better are, the extreme seat seems to be more enclosed and you have your own "feet" area while sitting in it. Even though it is only a little bit bigger than the LSX700, there seems to be more "feet" space. I like the cool down seat and I love where the waterfall is. You can sit in a seat and have the jets on your back while the waterfall is hitting your hair. In the LSX700, the waterfall isn't behind a seat. I have long hair and love water running on it. I know it seems stupid, and these are all minor things, but after writting all the differences I still want the LSX and to me $1,000.00 to get what I want isn't an issue, but to not spend the extra $1,000.00 and wish for what I wanted would be...
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I ilke cool down seats a lot. You can sit on the edge of the tub to cool off, but if you are in very cold temps, a cool off seat keeps you a bit warmer and is a very nice feature. just my 2 cents.
Waterfalls? Eh. 90% of us don't even turn them on anymore.
I agree $1000 is nothing to sneeze at and should be considered carefully. However it SOuonds like you prefer the LSX. Foot space is nice. How many folks are going to be using the tub on a regular basis?
If you want us to convice you and tell youwhat tub you shouldget, it sounds like the LSX is the one you really want.
;)
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For us not familliar with the spa, what is the difference between the LSX and LSX700?
MASTER TRIVIA(L) : The LSX stands for Legend Series EXtreme ( therapy). They desided to make a 7'er so the next one fell into their regular code. 7's are 7 ', 8's are 8 ft etc... and the 00 indicates lounger and the 50's are no lounger models.
Feel free to put me on your "phone a friend" list for the "Worthless Information" category. ;)
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"If you want us to convice you and tell youwhat tub you shouldget, it sounds like the LSX is the one you really want."
Its not me you have to convice - its my husband! :)
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"If you want us to convice you and tell youwhat tub you shouldget, it sounds like the LSX is the one you really want."
Its not me you have to convice - its my husband! :)
Ahhhh. I have the jsut the opposite problem at my house. ::)
Let him wet test and decide. He will chose the larger LSX because he's a guy, and we all know Bigger =Better. Tell him the LSX has got a larger motor and more killing ability and is the exact same tub Batman and James Bond have and he'll buy 2. (least it works on me).
;)
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Tell him the LSX has got a larger motor and more killing ability and is the exact same tub Batman and James Bond have
Don't forget that Master Spas loves to tell people that an LSX was installed at Camp David. I can picture the twins enjoying themselves, but can definitely do without a mental image of "Dubya" in a hot tub. ;)
Perhaps Master Spas should update their sales brochure. I think Batman and Bond would have more influence on our hot tub dollar :D
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Years back, during Clinton's reign, a HotSpring Grandee was put in at the White House. Monica says she liked the moto-massage alot! :o
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Years back, during Clinton's reign, a HotSpring Grandee was put in at the White House. Monica says she liked the moto-massage alot! :o
I heard they had a hard time keeping the water clear and clean though. ::)
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Cigars just dont hold up under water. ;)
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My oh my.
The propriety of this discussion topic really seems to be... going down :P
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The propriety of this discussion topic really seems to be... going down :P
well put. ;)
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I thought that I would throw my 20 cents in here just because it is an ongoing thorn in my side right now.
1. I personally don't like the marketing practices of Master Spa and feel they border line fraud.
2. I don't care for warranty performance from the factory. If you can get a hold of someone at all they rarely have enough product knowledge to help and we have had more rude customer service reps talk to us from Master than any other brand. If you leave a message for Customer Service it can take days (if at all) to get a call back.
3. We had an OK track record over the last year and half for the spas we sold 2 and 3 years ago holding up however, over the last 3 years we had tons of jet failures, filter issues and every TV or stereo spa has had a major problem. Currently we are getting calls on motors and glue joint failures at an alarming rate.
4. From our perspective most of the failure we're seeing is poorly chosen and cheap components. This might not be the case on the newer models although when I was at the national trade show I was discussed with the lack of craftsmanship and cheap parts. They had emblems falling off, shell blems and jets coming out at the show.
Now on the positive side.....
1. Master was pretty good about replacing jets as where all the other companies that got the bad jets from waterway.
2. The jets, seating, power and even water quality are all great.
3. The after market sales for us have been pretty good, like HotSpring customers typically spend over $200 every time they change filters. In addition to this we are selling more covers on the Masters than any other spa line we have sold in the last 5 years. Their covers simply seem to fail sooner.....
4. I believe that if I go above and beyond to take care of these customers that we will be able to trade most of these back in the next 5 to 7 years and get them into a longer lasting spa.
I’m not a fan of the new metal frame that Master uses…It’s not nearly as sturdy as any other metal frame out there and they are not putting enough cross supports in however, having been out on several leak repairs lately on some of the Masters that are failing I like the metal a whole lot better than the 2x2 stapled pine frames they were using before. We bring extra fasteners with us now knowing that the frame will come apart on those service calls.
I hope that the dealers are taking the side panels off for delivery as they will come off going down the highway and will easily crack if you tilt the spa up on its side.
I did talk with the VP of Master recently on the phone (I still consider him a friend) and he informed me that they let the VP of manufacturing go not long ago and it improved quality control.
I also like the guy that handles customer service on the internet…He really seems to care, never badmouths and seems waylay any negativity fairly quick. They should put him in charge of Customer Service on the phones as well!
Last but not least, as a dealer they pushed me very hard to be part of that national rebate program that has received all the bad publicity. Their factory reps were the people that pushed it on us, trained us, worked the sale with us and insisted that we continue.
Now they are denying that they ever recommended it and were affiliated with Consumer promotions. They claim that it was a few independent dealers.
The fact that the Consumers trust just filed bankruptcy was directly due to Master Spa's sales manager getting a group of his dealers together to file a class action suit consulting with Masters attorneys so that they could cover their own tail.
OK, end of my monthly rant.......
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bubba stu,
I was wondering when you would get in on the fun!
I must've gotten a "Wednesday" tub because of the good luck I've had with it so far.
I thought I'd post a pic of the framework so DeeDee and others could get a little better idea of the quality.
(http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4374/lsxframe.jpg)
This pic was taken quite a while ago but I had the panel off about a month or so ago for general semi-annual inspection and the metal looks the same as in the picture here so the salty air environment that I experience has not had a detrimental effect on it. I'll be glad to take another more recent pic next time I have the panel off.
One thing that really impresses me with the design is the rubber motor mounts used for the pump motors.
I hate that your experiences with MS have been so negative....hopefully MS improvement is on the way as you noted. As for my experiences, it's been smooth sailing so far...knock on acrylic. 8)
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That spa ain't go no underwear! :-[
Terminator
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Lets take a good look a the whole enchilada!
If you look close there is no center support...what your seeing in my picture is a strap to hold it on the trailer. This spa actually cracked once it was filled and had to be replaced. There was a noticeable sag in the bar top of the shell towards the center (This spa was 8x10)
We loaded up the cracked one and lost some of the side panels driving down the road...that’s where we learned to remove them on delivery.
You might also notice that we unwrapped the spa for this shot and take a look at the glue splashed all over, wires hanging everywhere...This is a new spa! I take more pride in my work than that!
Also notice the white pump union without insulation that is resting close to the ground. We've had these freeze on a running spa on a deck when the spa was idle between filter cycles.
Understand that we are very hard on spas in our area...Today was 5 degrees in the morning and then almost 70 in the afternoon. Wind of 35MPH is considered a light breeze 50 to 60 MPH is common with a wind-chill well below zero this time of year. That will definitely bring down the temp of any unheated cabinet with low insulation and holes for airflow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/spaguy/master2.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/spaguy/master1.jpg)
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Hey, he doesnt get credit for 2 postings by doing the same one twice does he? :-/ ;D ;D
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bubba stu,
I don't know how they secured my spa to the trailer for delivery (from 200+ miles away, btw) but it was delivered in great shape and remains that way. I do know that the entire spa was wrapped in cellophane (I guess they are shipped that way from the factory?) so the side panels had no opportunity to fly off. Considering how the panels are secured to the spa, I would guess that the thumb screws and the corner pieces on a non-wrapped spa being transported would have to have been removed for the panels to fly off--I just don't see how that would happen if the corners and thumb screws are properly in place.
I'll make a point this weekend of taking several new pics of mine and we'll look at the glue and the placement of the slice valves.
Your point regarding the harsh environmental conditions that you experience reinforce a theory of mine regarding ff v. tp--maybe ff is better for colder climates in order to alleviate the possibility of freezing and maybe tp is better in warmer climates to help pumps run cooler....makes sense to me anyway.
Of course all my experience is with 1 single spa and your extensive spa experience is worlds above mine. I hope you don't mind that I offer these comments with my limited experience. I guess I just want others who are considering an MS purchase to see a different view....my view. 8)
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That spa ain't go no underwear! :-[
Terminator
Term, any pics of open HS tubs? I've only seen the ones that are under repair (old Jacuzzis) and the one GL tub open....do HS have underbritches? ???
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Term, any pics of open HS tubs? I've only seen the ones that are under repair (old Jacuzzis) and the one GL tub open....do HS have underbritches? ???
I'll put some pics up in a little while. Yes, our spas have a full set of unmentionables under their skirts. They're more of the thick, woolly longjohns as opposed to the Victoria's Secret bare-nothings that some folks use.
Terminator
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bubba stu,
I don't know how they secured my spa to the trailer for delivery (from 200+ miles away, btw) but it was delivered in great shape and remains that way. . 8)
Windy,
I know you love your spa and don't doubt it has been great for you but you are talking about a sample of 1 spa while Stuart is talking about a sample of ??? # of spas. If he were saying "I saw a Master spa once that had ..." then it wouldn't mean too much but with the fact he has sold and serviced ?hundreads? of them and has a reputation for being above board I can't imagine Master can be too thrilled with the contents of this thread if they monitor this board. Does his experience take away from the enjoyment you've had with your spa? No, but at the same time your positive experience can't wash away the issues he's talking about either.
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Windy,
If I ever open a store in FL I'm gonna hire you!! Probably have to argue with you on what brand we would sell but I would do what it takes to get you selling!! ;)
Your veiw is one of most people who buy just about any spa....In the first few years of ownership most spas will hold up well. Add to that the fact that the jets rock and the shell is pretty and anyone would have the tools and desire to defend a purchase.
If you haven't cleaned under that cabinet then they did a good job.
I have a theory in life called "The Shopping Cart Angel" that goes like this:
The more good you do the more things go your way...Example, if you push a shopping cart from the parking lot into the grocery store on your way in the shopping cart Angel with protect your car from other cart dings.....
It's my belife that you would have good luck with most things because of your attitude. I think people try harder for you. Even through hurricanes :o
Now speaking of hurricanes, maybe your spa is as pristine inside as it is from all the 100mph spray that you've recieved since you installed it!! ;)
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I have a theory in life called "The Shopping Cart Angel" that goes like this:
The more good you do the more things go your way..
It's my belife that you would have good luck with most things because of your attitude. I think people try harder for you. Even through hurricanes :o
Here! Here!
Luck and good fortune are the residue of honesty and intergrity.
It may not come your way all the time, but living an authentic and honest liffestyle creates more opportunities for it to exist and come your way. ;D
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Term, any pics of open HS tubs?
As promised, a 2005 Accolade I just sold a little while ago and the customer wanted to check under the skirt:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/2006Spas008.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/2006Spas009.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/2006Spas010.jpg)
Terminator
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I know you love your spa and don't doubt it has been great for you but you are talking about a sample of 1 spa while Stuart is talking about a sample of ??? # of spas.
And I agree with you, tuo, 100%...that's why I posted this:
Of course all my experience is with 1 single spa and your extensive spa experience is worlds above mine. I hope you don't mind that I offer these comments with my limited experience.
And, bubba stu, I agree with you 100%.
Your "Shopping Cart Angel" theory is excellent and falls right into step with my "Preparing for Good Luck" theory. So many people disregard the necessity to prepare themselves to receive good luck that comes their way effectively missing out on the good luck. Obviously it takes no preparation at all to experience bad luck. So taking that shopping cart back prepares me for the good luck I receive when that particular cart doesn't hit my car.......just as you say!
And we certainly wouldn't have to fight over which spas to carry....I bow to your expertise entirely. So when do we get started? ;)
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Thanks again, Term for the pics!
Looks like your undies are thoroughly covered in that one.....I LIKES!
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Hey term,
I thought that they were installing fire sprinklers in those now? Did that one not have one? ;) ;D 8)
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stuart, that's up to the consumer, it's an option. ;)
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My LSX cost me 13500 2 years ago. worth every penny.
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Its not me you have to convice - its my husband! :)
I think you need to try out a few more brands if you havent. Master may be the right brand for you but if you havent tryed any others you'll never know.
Comfort, jet feel, noise level. These are a few things you need to check on while your soaking in the tub.