Tell you what I'm going to do....

[Cajun_Mike]

when I wet test...  Since everyone says this tub was too loud, etc. without giving any real data.

I am a big hometheater buff and I have a digital decibel meter.  I am going to measure the noise of each tub as I sit in it... Of couse I will need to keep the meter dry as it's not waterproof.   I'm going to measure each tub at different settings and full out.

The tubs I plan to wet test...

Dimension 1 (not nautilus, cause dealer doesnt stock)
Hot Springs Grandee
Sundance Optima
Coleman C-whatever
Marquis Euphoria

[Mendocino101]

When wet testing...If any of the spas have the neck jets that are out of the water you should turn those  off if no one is sitting in them...(as you probably would do the same thing at your home) while you are metering for sound....they can be loud, but not so much when you are sitting in the seat.....

[spahappy]

Cool!! Don't drop that meter in the water before you have a chance to share your results with us! I also suggest turning above the water neck jets off as this would not be a fair comparison to spas without such features. Keep us posted Cajon Mike!
                                        Spahappy

[drb]

...science triumphs over superstition!

How about a reading 3 feet away from the cabinet outside the spa, as well?

[ZzTop]

The noise level will also depend on what foundation the tub sits on.    A wood foundation tends to resonate, where as a cement floor does not.  There is a big difference.

Also new pumps are usually quiet.  Go back and test the same tub after a year of use.

Regards, Zz

[doodoo]

This should be very interesting. An excellent idea. I look forward to seeing your results.

[Gary]

What is loud for a spa or anything? As long as I do not hear it my house I can care less what the DB's are. I sure most spas sound the same when you are in them.

I ride an 1800CC V-twin motorcycle with wide open exhaust. Some folks tell me it is loud, but I do not think so.

Gary

[Spatech_tuo]

I'm going to measure each tub at different settings and full out.

Excellent idea but while you're at it I'd do one more thing. If the spa will be at all near to the house close the cover and measure the noise with the spa on low speed. The spa will be on low speed various times for about 8-10 hours per day (assuming of course that it uses a 2-speed pump for filtering/heating) and if its close enough to a bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc. you may not be happy with the noise on some spas. You're out of the spa far more than you're in it and I don't think you want to be watching TV or lying in bed trying to get some sleep and have the pump noise distracting you.

[Cajun_Mike]

The noise level will also depend on what foundation the tub sits on.    A wood foundation tends to resonate, where as a cement floor does not.  There is a big difference.

Also new pumps are usually quiet.  Go back and test the same tub after a year of use.

Regards, Zz

The main issue is not how loud the tub is to your neighbors our to someone outside the tub.  The main issue to me and to those who have made comments on this board is the ability to hold a conversation while in the tub with the pumps running.  To me the decibel meter should be held in the center of the tub with the pumps turn on, turned half way and full speed....  Of course some tubs done have that many adjustments but we'll come up with something.

[Starlight]

Great idea!  I can only imagine the looks you are going to get though  

[Spatech_tuo]

The main issue is not how loud the tub is to your neighbors our to someone outside the tub.  

I wonder if your neighbors agree?

[Cajun_Mike]

I wonder if your neighbors agree?

Who cares what those blue hairs to my left think...  

Besides the loudest tub on the market wouldnt come anywhere close to being as loud as his weedwhacker at 7am on a weekend morning.  

[Spatech_tuo]

Who cares what those blue hairs to my left think...  

Besides the loudest tub on the market wouldnt come anywhere close to being as loud as his weedwhacker at 7am on a weekend morning.  

Didn't I see you on an episode of COPS?