Built in music?

[cparlf]

OK, I am still new to the spa life, and am almost ready to plunk down the green and get on board.  Final decision for me is identical to many members on the forum, between an Optima, J'Premium and HS Grandee.   My question before the final decision and if posted earlier I appologize for the redundancy.  What is your opinion of the built in stereo?  For $900 it is a costly option.  For $200 I can hook some good speakers to my regualr stereo and plant them outside.  Do I want to open the tub to listen to music whenever I am on the patio?  I don;t think so.  Then again, most of the time I would envision relaxing trying to get away from the hustle and simply chill and stare at the stars.  Optima's sounds terrific, HS's I did not like and J'Premium was not installed on the test soak tubs.  Thanks for all the info.  

[empolgation]

Your post indicates that you already have a sound opinion of your own...
...built in stereos are overpriced and unnecessary. But, fun if you got extra green.

[ZzTop]

Your post indicates that you already have a sound opinion of your own...
...built in stereos are overpriced and unnecessary. But, fun if you got extra green.

I second that!

IMHO Built in stereos in spas are very expensive.  Adding a set of out door speakers will cost approx $50.00 and can be connected to an existing Stereo system.  Much cheaper and does the job just the same

lRegards Zz

[spaguyohio]

Agreed. Skip the built in, hook up decent pair of outdoor speakers or go even cheaper and buy a disposable boombox.  I was quoted 1100.00 for stereo option on my Master Spa. Umm, thanks but no thanks. Most spa stereos/tvs only have one year warranty anyway.

[ebirrane]

I own a grandee (and love love love it)

The optima push-down/pop-up speakers struck me as flimsy and, personally, they did a terrible job with the CD we heard.  Also, as people slosh around in the tub and water splashes about (like someone flopping into a seat in a corner with a speaker and water cacading up) I can't see how water doesn't get in the speaker.

The hotsprings spa-audio sounded incredibly clear (but it used dealer classical-music CD with little bass).  It was, however, much too expensive.  Also by using the spa as a shell it vibrates the shell -- I can't see how this doesn't increase the chance of a leak?  Some people also say that it's hard to get good base in phase with this method.  My wife felt the vibration of the shell made her stomach uneasy.

I've sunk mine into a deck and for the price of a spa audio system I'm buying:

1) A waterproof remote from Radio Shack ($14.00)
2) Several outdoor speakers (Sears sells some shaped like and usable as planters)
3) A bunch of speaker wire
4) A nice receiver/amplifier.

And I'm going to wire my whole deck for sound.

My 2 cents.

-Ed

[OnMedic]

I would strongly suggest, if you are worried about sound quality and bass, to purchase a good pair of outdoor speakers from Energy, Paradigm, Mission etc. There are a lit of MidFi speaker mfg. thathave this type of speaker for $300-400 CAD. They come with a bracket to be mounter wherever you fancy. Then, for the price of the Spa Audio, you can buy a multi-zone, Multi Source Receiver (Denon, Yamaha and many others make these) to use inside and outside, at the same time if you like! Otherwise, a basic JVC or Yamaha receiver would still sound great with speakers mentioned above.

[stuart]

If you look at the cost involved vs. the warranty on the audio equipment the value just isn't there. Most of the spa audio systems have a 1 year or less on just equipment, not labor. There are so many new things coming out for weatherproof sound systems everyday that I would spend the money on performance and maintenance systems rather than a stereo. There are some really cool ones out there though, I really like the sound on the D1 SIS but don't know if I would go the cost.

Look at everything Ed bought for the same price and he still had 2 cents to put in here!

[stuart]

BTW, stereos are kind of a negative of us in the industry also. We know that customers think its cool but then we have to deal with the customer service issues later. It's kind of a double edge sword, you don't want to not offer it but you don't want to deal with the problems later.

[Drifter]

I would strongly suggest, if you are worried about sound quality and bass, to purchase a good pair of outdoor speakers from Energy, Paradigm, Mission etc. .

 
Huh? I can see Mission making the list but paradigm and/or energy? And you left off the most obvious choice! I have 3 pairs of the Bose 151 Environmental speakers. One pair  out on my deck, one  on my screened in porch and one set next to  my hot tub! They run about 225  a pair and can handle being outdoors in the rain and snow! They also can handle a good receiver. I have a Niles outdoor  volume switch installed next to the hot tub to control the speakers out there when I'm in the tub.  Bose makes some awesome speakers for outside conditions! Try a pair!
(no i don't work for them!    )

[Jordy]

I'm in total agreement w/ the person who recommended the Bose 151's. Great outdoor speaker at a reasonable price (I don't work for Bose either). Sound systems in hot tubs can make for a great experience, but I wouldn't spend too much on this feature (less than $1500 CDN$), unless of course money is no object. In that case I say get two!!!

[Electro]

cparlf,

If you plan to use the pumps and jets, the noise will interfere with good sound.  Do you want to increase the volume to a loud racket?  Most folks buy the hut tub to relax.

If you plan to relax in the tub with no pumps running or with a pump on "low", there could be value in getting the stereo.  You'll pay at least three times as much for the built-in music as for a separate system of equivalent quality sound.

If you'd really like great music for relaxing, save your money for a high end system.  Plan to spend at least $5,000 on it.

Electro

[UnderTheStars]

IMHO, I don't want to deal with a broken built-in after it goes bad.   My music needs will be met with a $50 - $100 boom box (you can get remote control) from Best Buy and leave it on the screened porch.

Yes, I like quality sound, (I have a $1500 surround sound in a theatre room.)  But much of the time the jets will be on. . .have you listened to the current generation boom boxes?  They may meet your outdoor needs.  Just an opinion.

[dazedandconfused]

OK all you stereo buffs:

I have a older stereo system IN my house that uses infrared red remotes.  I can easily buy some Bose exterior speakers that I can connect to my system.

Question - Where can I get a 'radio frequency' remote that I can use OUTSIDE to control my system INSIDE.  Probably there would be a infrared/radio translator that I would place in front on the stereo.  Names? models #s? Places to buy?

Anybody using such a beast?  

Thanks

[ZzTop]

OK all you stereo buffs:

I have a older stereo system IN my house that uses infrared red remotes.  I can easily buy some Bose exterior speakers that I can connect to my system.

Question - Where can I get a 'radio frequency' remote that I can use OUTSIDE to control my system INSIDE.  Probably there would be a infrared/radio translator that I would place in front on the stereo.  Names? models #s? Places to buy?

Anybody using such a beast?  

Thanks

Radio Shack,   $41.99
http://www.radioshack.com/search.asp?find=Wireless+remote+extender&hp=search&SRC=1&image1.x=28&image1.y=35
I have been using one for years to control my speakers on our deck, to turn on and off and
change Cd's and radio stations.  Works great!

It works by RF, so it can travel up to 100 feet through walls..

Regards, Zz

[dazedandconfused]

Thanks ZZ

Cant you get a universal wireless remote and have wireless to ir converters near your stereo components?

I hate to still have to point an ir remote to the extender while i am soaking.  Plus you need an A/C source to power it.

Any ideas?