Hot Tub Review
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Master Spas
Manufacturer: Master Spas, Inc.
Avg. Price: $10168
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wmccall
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we 've had are lsx for 2 weeks and so far its been awsome . west cester spas were on time to the second.
Date Purchased: 6/22/08
Price Paid: $10000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
great hydrotherapy , lites are cool, built well and remote jet controls are great
Cons:
shoulder jets could be higher or adjustable |
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wmccall
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We purchased a LSX in May of 2004 and have the following to report.
Overall the quality of the tub is good. It has all the features we were looking for; therapy seats, strong jets, nice seating layout and features.We looked at other models but boiled everything down to service and efficiency. We live about 1 hour away from the manufacturer so it seemed like a safe bet.
Price for our spa was consistent with other mid to high end spas of its size and jet count. We bought it at a local spa show but the tub we chose was out of stock. Master gave us another tub with the CD stereo option for the same price and delivered it within 2 weeks of purchase. Not bad, only a couple of days longer than we agreed at purchase.
We installed the tub in an enclosed sunroom so we could get the year round benefits without the hassle of snow and muck during the winter. I removed the side of the sunroom and the delivery guys set the tub on spot, no problems. The only gripe I had was they didn't take away the skids and packaging but they made a nice bonfire.
Since the tub was installed in a closed room and we didn't want to sweat up the windows and such, I installed a 70 pint dehumidifier and drain that into a small condensate pump which in turn pumps the water back into the hot tub cutting down on how much we add water and chemicals. We keep the tub uncovered as my wife has a hard time with the standard cover.
We have loved the tub thus far. We have twin sons playing high school football and probably average 2 to 4 bathers a day. The filtration system works well but I hate setting down my satchel for the OEM filters and we're looking at changing over to a textile membrane rather than the paper filters. Hard water and higher than average pH are probably to blame so I can't really fault Master for this.
The only problem encountered thus far is a faulty circuit board that constantly generated a LF or "low flow" error shutting down the heaters. The board was relaced under warranty.
I really can't say anything but good things about the LSX and Master Spas in general. My phone calls and e-mails have been promptly answered and the problem or two that I had were resolved without a fuss.
Oh yeah, did I mention how great it feels?
Here's to being in hot water!
Date Purchased: 05/2004
Price Paid: $8000
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Size, Features, Therapeutic Value
Cons:
Balboa Control, Cost of filters when used with hard (well) water. Cost of filters, Cost of filters. |
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wmccall
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The Master Spas LSX is an awesome tub! It measures 7'10" by 7'10" but only seats 5--a size which normally would seat 6-7. But the unique design and therapy of the each of the 3 therapy seats, the lounger, and the cooldown seat make it a REALLY special spa.
The Extreme Therapy seat is certainly a "spa within a spa". There are 18 therapy jets plus 2 whirlpool jets and 1 MasterBlaster foot jet with 15 indiviual nozzles that really makes this seat unique. One of the three therapy pumps (2 speed) is dedicated to the 20 jets of this seat (the MasterBlaster jets share a separate pump (1 speed) with the lounger jets). A diverter diverts water flow between the 18 therapy jets and the 2 whirlpool jets. 6 of the 18 therapy jets work on hips and outer thighs and are great if special therapy is needed in these areas plus, with a little shifting, the hamstrings can receive a nice massage as well. The whirlpool jets are excellent for hand/wrist/forearm therapy as are the lower thigh jets if one places their hands down along these jets. The 2 jets at the bottom front of the seat work better for achilles tendons when one's legs are positioned appropriately. Two handles are molded into the shell to facilitate exiting the seat as well as stability during high pressure massage. And, as a bonus, the structure that separates this seat from the neck/shoulder therapy seat in the corner provides a wonderful martini glass platform (plastic martini glasses, of course)! Actually, the LSX is extremely "cup friendly" with many suitable places around the tub.
The neck/shoulder therapy corner seat has reverse molded jets that direct 2 therapy jets to the top of the shoulders and 2 jets to the upper neck areas. These four jets are at/above water level and are noisy if not being used--fortunately, like the other therapy jets, they can be individually closed thus eliminating noise and/or subsequent spray from the shoulders. These four jets are wonderful and do a great job of loosening stressed muscles/tendons. The second MasterBlaster foot jet serves this seat and the waterfall seat. The waterfall seat specializes in lower back therapy. The lower jets really work well on the lower back/gluteous muscles and provide much needed massage in this crucial area. They rotate at a slow pace which emulates a nice massage performed by hand. A 2 speed pump provides therapy for both the neck/shoulder and the waterfall seats.
Loungers are a point of contention for many spa owners. Some say they will not purchase a second tub that has a lounger after initially purchasing a lounger equipped tub. Not so, IMHO, regarding the LSX lounger. As noted above, it shares a 1 speed therapy pump with the MasterBlaster foot jets, utilizing a diverter. Though the pump is only 1 speed, it is very suited to the lounger/MasterBlaster jets as the diverter is infinitely variable between the two. There are 2 foot jets in the lounger that are most effective for taller (over 5'8") individuals and, just short of these jets, there are 2 places molded in the shell for placing one's heels. This is especially effective for shorter individuals. The calf jets are very effective and provide the best therapy for lower legs, ankles, and, with a little body shift, knees. Also, if sitting backwards in the lounger (i.e., with one's back to the filter area), the calf jets give the best hamstring massage found in this tub. The lounger back jets are very soothing. One wrist/hand jet on the right side is adequate and a missing matching one for the left wrist would be a nice addition. I have found any tendency to float out of the lounger to be minimal for my body size/weight (5'11"/175) and then only with the diverter on full lounger and all the lounger jets completely open. Leave it to say, for my experience, any tendency to float is met with extreme control of the jets and utilization of both the diverter and the molded heel indentations. A nice touch is the handle that is molded into the shell that facilitates exit from the lounger.
The cooldown seat is jetless and provides a shallow seat where one's torso is out of the water from around navel up. This is the main entry/exit point for the tub. When the tub is surface mounted (not sunken), a 2 level step provides an very accessible entryway to the tub.
I ordered my tub with a ColorGlo (http://www.colorgloproducts.com/product.html) Raydiance LED light option. It is great at night against the almond pearl shell color. I especially like the red which allows for star gazing while providing visibility in the tub. Of course, a dark tub under a dark sky at night cannot be beat! I passed on Master Spas' fiber optic light option because of both the extra cost and the extra shell penetrations that are inherent wtih that system.
In summary, I am 110% pleased with this tub. Only longevity and dependability remain a question which will be answered over time. If I were asked to summarize my feelings about this tub in one word, it would be "adjustability". The massage therapy adjustability makes this spa extremely comfortable. I am very happy with my choice even with my dealer being 200+ miles away. The LSX is certainly worth it.
Date Purchased: July/2004
Price Paid: $7895
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Individually adjustable jets, Extreme Therapy Seat, MasterBlaster foot therapy, lounger design, diverter design, three individually unique seats + lounger--each with different therapy--plus a cooldown seat, 3 therapy pumps + 1-24/7 circ pump
Cons:
Waterfall and pillow on waterfall seat are rather lame, space for electrical connections in Balboa controller is tight and unnecessarily limiting |
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