Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Tatooed_Lady on February 22, 2006, 03:18:07 pm
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I assume the Navigator remote is an "option" on the tubs.....anyone know approximate cost, if they'd be of any REAL value (I'm thinking control from inside the house, not inside the tub)...? Is it just an expensive "toy"?
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Our envoy came with it already on the tub (we bought a soaker). I can't imagine any real benefit unless you have the spaudio option which we do have. Otherwise it is an expensive toy that doesn't provide that much.
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Unless you're planning on adding a SpAudio II or AutoFresh system later, there is no practical use for one. They sell for between $400-500. :)
Terminator
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Term
Is spaudio II the 2006 version of the system? What changes have they made to the system? The sound is good but the little CD changer thing makes it look kind of hokey...
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I understand the SpAudio is a stereo of sorts....not really sure how it functions in real application though....? Sounds like the music is played and the shell is the speaker??
And what's the AutoFresh system?
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The SpAudio II should be ready mid-year. It still uses the inside-the-cabinet transducers but also has a set of detachable speakers to use for ambient sound. The cheesy little Walkman has been replaced with a Sony XM radio CD player and looks sharp.
The AutoFresh system was discussed extensively in this thread a few weeks ago and will answer your questions:
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub;action=display;num=1137703384
Terminator
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One more question - will you be able to upgrade the Spaudio I?
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One more question - will you be able to upgrade the Spaudio I?
I'm not sure friar, to be honest. It looked to me like you could but I didn't think to ask. Maybe one of me maties on here might know. I'll see what I can find out.
Terminator
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Upgrade the Spaudio to Spaudio II?
The new system uses a smaller power amp- but I don't know if it is only smaller physically or if is has less power. The older unit had enough power to easily smoke the tranducers if you tried, but it took a line level input. The new unit will have a complete stereo unit from Sony as the front end (XM ready) so it only has to be a booster amp.
To answer the question: yes, you can install the new stereo - for mucho dinero - and then add on the cool external speakers. I would say keep the existing power amp so it would cost less than the whole enchilada.
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I do like the fact that the "Navigator" as HS calls their remote, is RF. This means it uses radio frequency to send commands to the spa, so in theory it should work through walls, and from inside the house like you mentioned. Many other companies use IR (infrared) remotes, much like the technology your TV remote uses. It works fine, unless somthing blocks the invisible beam of light. Ask your dealer about the effective range of the remote before you plunk down the big bucks.
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I do like the fact that the "Navigator" as HS calls their remote, is RF. Ask your dealer about the effective range of the remote before you plunk down the big bucks.
I have had no trouble with the Navigator working from inside my (stucco) house. I don't have a very big house, so I can't vouch for great distances, but it works from all parts of our home with on exception: My son's room is heavily wired for AC power, data and surround sound speakers, so it will not work from that room.
Max in our case is about 150 feet with three or four walls.
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I'm afraid to ask....what's the SpAudio system cost? How's the quality? I plan to use a boom box or something less costly when we use the tub, but I like to know how far gone the price is out of my range.......
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Sorry I cannot help with the price, but just wanted to mention a big benefit of spadio, and some other spa audio systems, automatic volume control. You set the volume level, and when you turn on a loud pump, the system automatically raises teh volume level to compensate. This is pretty cool. Years ago when they first started putting stereos in spas, they did not have such integration, and the stereos were nothing more than marine grade stereos, and boat speakers put into spas. In those days I would have said it would be best to wire your deck, or patio with outdoor speakers, and use the home stereo. These new systems are changing my view on in spa stereo. I was at my local HS dealer and they had an Ipod plugged into the spadio! Talk about cool, hundreds of songs in the spa. I hope this helps, happy hunting.
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an Ipod, huh? Hmmm.....we've got those.....and I like the idea of auto volume levelling, I'd wondered about that as well....
Thanks!
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I tested the range of the HotSpring Remote (it's no longer called the Navigator) at the Great Texas Balloon Race last year at the local airport. I got about 200 yards away from the spa before it would no longer operate.
SpAudio I cost between $1500-1800. SpAudio II should be in the same range.
Terminator
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see, now this is where I cough and gag......holy COW. :o
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If that makes you cough, and gag, this will just finish you off ::)
Checked with my dealer, and they sell spadio for $1500. They currently have 2 of the spadio 1's on clearance for $1000, because spadio 2 is on its way, or there already.
Heres the even worse news. Buying spadio does not get you the navigator remote control.....that's another $500 clams :P
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I was not excited when they first announced the Spaudio and the price tag. It seemed complex and expensive. When I tried the first one out in my store, I found it to be a good system but not true high-end. I have sold a bunch of them, and the folks who own them seem to like them. I have had only one guy who complained about the quality. He has a home stereo which cost more than the Grandee in his backyard, so I guess he has a very sensitive ear, however his wife and family love the thing.
So, I went out and priced systems which would work in a similar fashion but with regular outdoor speakers. I have had these systems priced, sourced and ready to go but have yet to install one.
Here's what I found from BestBuy.com:
(http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7070/7070723_ra.jpg)
Audio Source 250W Bridgeable 2-Channel Home Theater Amplifier with Source Switching
Model: AMP200
"Power your home and outdoor speakers simultaneously with this savvy amp that can be configured to turn on automatically via signal sensing. And you can feed this from a portable audio source such as an Ipod, Napster, MP3 player, CD player (home or portable), OR feed it from your home theatre/ home stereo via cables or wireless FM transmitter."
Price: $400
Add your choice of speakers:
Bose Environmental Speakers (Pair) White or Black
"Whether it's on your patio, poolside, lawn or even on your boat, you can enjoy music while relaxing outdoors. Bose's Stereo Everywhere� performance speakers spread the lovely sound around the whole area. "
Model: 151 SE Price: $279.88 for the pair. Specify white or black
(http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/4299/4299636_s.gif)
Or Yamaha - " 130W All-Weather 2-Way Outdoor Speakers with Wide Frequency Response (Pair) - Black (http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6328/6328976_s.gif)
These 2-way speakers are made to withstand the elements, so you can relax in your backyard or by the pool with music in the air. A 6.5" polypropylene woofer and 1" PEI dome tweeter combine for rich bass and sweet highs."
Model: NS-AW350 Price: $153.98
Now - if you choose the Bose speakers, you will have to spend $680 just for the amp and the speakers. Add on a Nano or Ipod for $200, and then you are at $880 plus tax, or 880 x 1.0725=$943.80 here in our area.
You will have a good system, which will play music from a device of your choice, and which can run other speakers in your yard or home. It will turn on/off automatically just like the amp in the Spaudio does. You will have a system which an audiophile would say sounds very good - especially if you spring for an outdoor subwoofer for another $250, putting your total at $1200. You also will have to find a way to safely get power to the amp, protect the amp from the elements, provide a place to set the Ipod or other 'front end' device, and you will have to run wires to and from everything and mount the speakers near the spa. To get close to the intimate way that the Spaudio immerses you in the music you will have to mount the speaker VERY close. And you give up being able to control the system from the spa's control panel or remote.
And of course, the wow-factor of having the sound come from the spa... priceless.
Both systems are good choices in my opinion. I really didn't get excited about Spaudio until I did the research I have posted above. But I happen to want to be able to control the sound right from the spa. You can do that with or without the Remote, so I am getting ready to move up to Spaudio ll as soon as I can.
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I was not excited when they first announced the Spaudio and the price tag. It seemed complex and expensive. When I tried the first one out in my store, I found it to be a good system but not true high-end. I have sold a bunch of them, and the folks who own them seem to like them. I have had only one guy who complained about the quality. He has a home stereo which cost more than the Grandee in his backyard, so I guess he has a very sensitive ear, however his wife and family love the thing.
So, I went out and priced systems which would work in a similar fashion but with regular outdoor speakers. I have had these systems priced, sourced and ready to go but have yet to install one.
Here's what I found from BestBuy.com:
(http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7070/7070723_ra.jpg)
Audio Source 250W Bridgeable 2-Channel Home Theater Amplifier with Source Switching
Model: AMP200
"Power your home and outdoor speakers simultaneously with this savvy amp that can be configured to turn on automatically via signal sensing. And you can feed this from a portable audio source such as an Ipod, Napster, MP3 player, CD player (home or portable), OR feed it from your home theatre/ home stereo via cables or wireless FM transmitter."
Price: $400
Add your choice of speakers:
Bose Environmental Speakers (Pair) White or Black
"Whether it's on your patio, poolside, lawn or even on your boat, you can enjoy music while relaxing outdoors. Bose's Stereo Everywhere� performance speakers spread the lovely sound around the whole area. "
Model: 151 SE Price: $279.88 for the pair. Specify white or black
(http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/4299/4299636_s.gif)
Or Yamaha - " 130W All-Weather 2-Way Outdoor Speakers with Wide Frequency Response (Pair) - Black (http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6328/6328976_s.gif)
These 2-way speakers are made to withstand the elements, so you can relax in your backyard or by the pool with music in the air. A 6.5" polypropylene woofer and 1" PEI dome tweeter combine for rich bass and sweet highs."
Model: NS-AW350 Price: $153.98
Now - if you choose the Bose speakers, you will have to spend $680 just for the amp and the speakers. Add on a Nano or Ipod for $200, and then you are at $880 plus tax, or 880 x 1.0725=$943.80 here in our area.
You will have a good system, which will play music from a device of your choice, and which can run other speakers in your yard or home. It will turn on/off automatically just like the amp in the Spaudio does. You will have a system which an audiophile would say sounds very good - especially if you spring for an outdoor subwoofer for another $250, putting your total at $1200. You also will have to find a way to safely get power to the amp, protect the amp from the elements, provide a place to set the Ipod or other 'front end' device, and you will have to run wires to and from everything and mount the speakers near the spa. To get close to the intimate way that the Spaudio immerses you in the music you will have to mount the speaker VERY close. And you give up being able to control the system from the spa's control panel or remote.
And of course, the wow-factor of having the sound come from the spa... priceless.
Both systems are good choices in my opinion. I really didn't get excited about Spaudio until I did the research I have posted above. But I happen to want to be able to control the sound right from the spa. You can do that with or without the Remote, so I am getting ready to move up to Spaudio ll as soon as I can.
Did I get this right?
It sounds like the Spa aduio system is easier, but a bit more expsensive and only allows you to enjoy the music in the tub. Lose the tub and you lose your sound system, no? The Spa Audio system is a complete self contained sound system (amp/reciever/radio, CD, input for Ipod, and the tranducer/speaker set up) No?
The Bose set up is less money, better sound overall, and allows the owner to have music in thier yard, close to the tub and inside the home. It requires a bit more work in wireing.
I have the bose 251 enviroemtnal speakers outside, but not located near the tub. Listening to music while in the tub without the speakers very close to the spa is so-so. ( I may add and aditional pair of Bose nearer to the tub).
It sounds like to me, the best answer would be is to have a tub that can accept a signal from the owners own system. (offer a tub with just the speakers or tranducer system) This would allow me to have, inside, outside, and iin spa audio all from one main quality system with minimal investment.
Oh yea, you mention with the Bose system, you'll need to spend $200 on an Ipod (if desired). Is that also not true for the Spa Audio?
I think it's great that you offer a choice.
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an Ipod, huh? Hmmm.....we've got those.....and I like the idea of auto volume levelling, I'd wondered about that as well....
Thanks!
Want to level the volume of your mp3 collection? There is a freeware software program called MP3Gain that will scan your collection and let you level the volume at a desired dB setting. It's not perfect but works really well.
http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/MP3Gain/mp3gain.html
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Did I get this right?
Mostly. Just about all, in fact. Good job! It sounds like the Spa aduio system is easier, but a bit more expsensive and only allows you to enjoy the music in the tub. Lose the tub and you lose your sound system, no? The Spa Audio system is a complete self contained sound system (amp/reciever/radio, CD, input for Ipod, and the tranducer/speaker set up) No?
Actually, the Spaudio comes with a portable CD player which has AM FM and plays MP3 files. You can burn 10 hours of your favorites on a disc, and enjoy. Or, you can give that thing to your kid and plug in anything with a Line Level output: Nano, Ipod, Napster, MP3 player, Cassette, line from the home stereo or home theatre, etc. The Bose set up is less money, better sound overall,
The part about sounding better is the subjective part. I have a very good ear for music, and I like the Bose better. But not by much, and in my case, not enough to give up the control via the tub's system and/or remote. Also, the 'cool factor' for me is very important: there are no speakers and the music just comes from the whole tub. and allows the owner to have music in thier yard, close to the tub and inside the home. It requires a bit more work in wireing.
the wiring may be a big deal for some, and that is the main deciding factor for most of the people who do end up choosing the Spaudio - if it's not a big deal, then you have an easier decision. I have the bose 251 enviroemtnal speakers outside, but not located near the tub. Listening to music while in the tub without the speakers very close to the spa is so-so. ( I may add and aditional pair of Bose nearer to the tub).
Yup - don't forget that the Spaudio immerses you in the music. You might as well be in the front row at a concert, but you have total control over volume. It sounds like to me, the best answer would be is to have a tub that can accept a signal from the owners own system. (offer a tub with just the speakers or tranducer system) This would allow me to have, inside, outside, and iin spa audio all from one main quality system with minimal investment.
Oh yea, you mention with the Bose system, you'll need to spend $200 on an Ipod (if desired). Is that also not true for the Spa Audio?
Yes. The Spaudio comes with a basic CD/MP3 player, but no Ipod. And you can feed it from anything with a line level output, including your existing stereo or home theatre system, or even an outdoor stereo you might already have in place. As to which is best, its very much up to the individual. I think it's great that you offer a choice.
Well, let's face it, I'm a great guy! And humble.
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our dealer (the OWNER of the place) told us that he's shied away from selling the units, simply because some people don't understand how the system works, or how much it costs....he's in it for the repeat customers, so if someone's just GOTTA have it, no problem.
I agree with him, though....it's a HUGE investment, on top of yet ANOTHER huge investment.....plus he said the spaudio only has a 1 year warranty?
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the spaudio only has a 1 year warranty?
Yes, one year.
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Yes, one year.
1 year is actually typical with many electronic components like stereo equipment. I agree it should be longer. It looks short compared to the spa warranty, but many of manufacturers are offering shorter warranties on high priced add-ons. I surmise it has to do with the delicate nature of the components, in a harsher than normal enviroment. An Ipod only has a year warranty, and many of todays DVD, and VCR's have gone to a pittifull 90 day warranty. At least the components of the spadio are designed well enough that components can be replaced without having to trash the whole system. :)
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1 year is actually typical with many electronic components like stereo equipment. I agree it should be longer. It looks short compared to the spa warranty, but many of manufacturers are offering shorter warranties on high priced add-ons. I surmise it has to do with the delicate nature of the components, in a harsher than normal enviroment. An Ipod only has a year warranty, and many of todays DVD, and VCR's have gone to a pittifull 90 day warranty. At least the components of the spadio are designed well enough that components can be replaced without having to trash the whole system. :)
I imagine it has to do with the manufacturer of those electronics giving Hot Springs a 1 yr warranty on the components and they are probably just passing that warranty on to the end user.
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okay, you can replace single components....but my guess is it's gonna be at a huge price, anyhow....I LOVE the idea of using an Ipod....but I think I'll look into a bookshelf stereo system with a remote....put the remote in a ziploc baggie, use outdoor speakers hooked up to the system....and save a bunch of money...not as 'classy', but I'm ok with saving in SOME areas.
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If you are going to do that, check out the speakers I showed. You can buy them at BestBuy.com - certain stores will have them in stock - and if you want to use a simple bookshelf stereo in place of the fancy schmancy amp I posted above, be sure it has at lease a hundred watts per channel.
An Ipod with headphones isn't a bad idea either....
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Sorry to be so late in jumping into this thread. I've been on vacation earlier this week.
I bought a Grandee with the Spaudio and the navigator. I've chimed in before about my problems with the Spaudio, but let me summarize. The unit as delivered did not work. One channel buzzed and would cut out randomly. The transducer was replaced, the amp checked out and after 4 visits, they say it is fixed. I hooked it up to a networked Sonos system that allows any or all of my CDs to be played through different zones connected wireless, and the dealer claimed that caused problems. It is just like a Ipod connected so I think it is a bit of finger pointing. I'll try it tonight and see if it is straightened out.
The navigator works great for controlling the volume of the Spaudio. If you don't use it, there is no diplay that tells you what is going on. The controls in the Hot tub suck for controlling the Spaudio! I have not found many other uses for it, but last night was REALLY happy with it. I arrived home from the airport at 2 AM. I wanted to bring the temp back up from 83 to 103. It was 0 degrees with windchill. From inside the house, I cranked up the temp, put the navigator back in its holster and retired to bed, knowing it would be toasty in the morning! Hard to justify $500 just for not getting cold once, though!
My two bits... I could be wrong.
BearBath
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Bear,
how do you like the tranducer sound? Can you compare it to normal speakers? I
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Bear, that's pretty much what I figured it would be good for.....remotely altering/monitoring the temp instead of going out and freezing certain tender body parts off (especially after it snows)...like a remote starter for a car. But I don't know that it's worth $500 to me. *lol* We'll see down the road, thanks for your input!
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let me summarize. The unit as delivered did not work. One channel buzzed and would cut out randomly. The transducer was replaced, the amp checked out and after 4 visits, they say it is fixed. I hooked it up to a networked Sonos system that allows any or all of my CDs to be played through different zones connected wireless, and the dealer claimed that caused problems. It is just like a Ipod connected so I think it is a bit of finger pointing. I'll try it tonight and see if it is straightened out.
BearBath
BB,
Keep us posted. One thing that sets Watkins apart is their willingness to take care of problems like this.
Having said that, be sure that your Sonos system is providing a Line level, not a speaker or headphone level. If you plug the headphone out from most anything, even an Ipod, and then crank the volume on the device AND the Spaudio, you will blow a transducer or two. They just put that much power into these things, and they are not designed to run those high input levels.
Keep the input down, but then run the amp as high as you like.
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.........stereo system with a remote....put the remote in a ziploc baggie, not as 'classy', but I'm ok with saving in SOME areas.
Got some good news for you. Search on Ebay looking for the word "waterproof remote" in the title. You will find several brands of universal remotes for use in the spa. They can be programmed to run a TV, or stereo. Some modes even have an optional rf base station so you can control a stereo inside your house from the spa!
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Drewstar,
The transducer sound is good, not great. Without the jets running, it is much better. Once the jets start up the frequency spectrum of the jets seems to mask lots of music, so the volume goes up from the Spaudio. I'm not sure external speakers would have solved the problem either, and they open up new problems. I bought the system to be a low maintenance accomadation.
As to the other question, I am using the line out, not the headphone choice. (Except from the Ipod which has no line out?) I keep the volume low from the Ipod and use the spa amp to get volume.
BearBath
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Got some good news for you. Search on Ebay looking for the word "waterproof remote" in the title. You will find several brands of universal remotes for use in the spa. They can be programmed to run a TV, or stereo. Some modes even have an optional rf base station so you can control a stereo inside your house from the spa!
now THAT I would be interested in, THANK YOU!!