SPA331B

First, let me say that this thingy is really beautiful. To quote Penny (Big Bang Theory): “It’s HIGH techy-techy”. And functional. Yes, you can run virtually every nozzle at once but, unless your home plumbing system is hooked directly up to a fire hydrant somewhere, expect it to loose pressure in direct relation to how many spray features you activate at a time.. But the typical user will only use one or two features at a time in any event so it’s probably not an issue for most folks (our house water pressure is 40 psi for context). Install was straight-forward and quite easy. Just make sure you take really careful measurements. We were lucky to have had easy access to the back of the tub wall that really simplified things. BUT . . . there are several issues that you really need to be aware of:1. Yes, you can switch the display from C to F. The directions given are poor but all you have to do is remove the cover of a small circular opening, approximately 1 in in diameter, held by two tiny screws – don’t drop them! You’ll need a microscope to find them! The opening is located on a plastic display mounting box immediately behind the display on the backside of the unit. Inside the 1 inch round opening you’ll find a pair of tiny DIP switches. Slide both switches to “ON” to set for F.2. When I received my unit, the display wouldn’t work on battery (tho it did work with the water running). Naturally, I checked the batteries and they were fine, but the battery “ON” button on the face of the unit did nothing. I started tracing the wires in the back and found the small black connector on the lead to the battery box was disconnected at the wiring harness near the middle of the unit. Hazzah. Found the problem. Or not. While it clearly was “A” problem, it wasn’t the only problem. I then traced the wire back from the harness to the battery box and found, hidden in a corner of the box, a disconnected positive wire. It’s not that it had broken off of the terminal; it had never been soldered during manufacture. A quick session with my soldering iron fixed the problem and the display works fine now with the water not running. Clearly a one-off mfg error. Pressing the button with the water OFF will light up the display for about 30 seconds then shuts itself off – although I’m not sure why you’d want it on with the water off. Still, I paid for it and I wanted it to work!. (And I shouldn’t have HAD to fix the thing!) Display stays on continuously with the water running, without the need to press the button. Finally, on the digital display issues, at 90 deg. F, the color changes from a bright blue to a pretty dim orange. The description says it will switch from blue to orange or red. That’s fine. What it DOESN’T say is that when it does it will dim by perhaps 60 percent. It’s not so much that it’s defective; it’s just what it is. Not a real problem and the digits are still legible when orange – just really dim.3. Note the size given is overall, and not the actual “footprint” of the unit. The size is given as 52"H x 10"W x 3.5" which is only SORTA right. The unit has a flat glossy black glass face (and it’s actually quite beautiful) that is, in fact, nearly at the given dimensions (height and width). BUT, (and here’s the issue), the SIDES of the unit are curved UNDER the glass face panel in a convex semi-circle, so the actual “contact footprint” of the unit on the shower wall is, in reality, only 8.5 inches wide by 49.25 inches high. Because the sides are curved into a convex semi-circle, they lift away from the wall as they curve out and up, then back under the glass face. The outward “bulge” of the sides, at their widest matches the width of the glass face, or nearly so, but the “contact point” of the curved sides, where the unit’s frame actually contacts the wall, is only 8.5 inches wide. This is a very important point, since many folks are placing this unit over old valve access holes in the shower/bath wall and want those holes covered by this new unit. If that spacing is any more than 8.5 inches, the old valve holes will show on the sides. Mine were spaced 9 inches from outer edge to outer edge. I covered the holes with small, thin metal “hole-cover” plates (available on Amazon, for example: “Danco 80830 1-3/4-Inch Kitchen Faucet Hole Cover” – there are many others). In my case, with only about 1/4 inch of each old hole showing on each side, the little bit of metal cover disk that’s exposed looks like it’s part of the unit. Height is also a potential issue. The “extra” height between my measurement given here and the published height (nearly 3 inches difference) is that of the glass face that extends about 1.4 inches above and below the frame of the unit, and it’s the FRAME that comes in contact with the wall. Mine JUST barely covered the existing tub spout hole vertically where I wanted to place the unit. So . . . if you’re measuring to cover pre-existing holes, (or for any other reason, for that matter), the better dimensions to use are the “footprint”, or frame-wall-contact measurements of 8.5 inches wide, by 49.25 inches high.4. This unit has an automatic temperature control. That means that you can set the temperature once with one knob and leave it there, using a separate knob to switch the water flow on or off. Once set, during subsequent showers all you have to do is switch the water on and it will automatically mix the hot/cold water to that pre-set temperature. Nice feature. But . . . be careful about your hookups. Our old house has some wacky plumbing (even tho this place was built in the 70’s, I’m thinking that the folks who built it out here in the country still considered the whole idea of indoor plumbing to be something of a big-city novelty), which happened to have the somewhat novel feature of reversed hot/cold water hook-ups, opposite the standard, in this one bathroom. I didn’t think to check/remember that during the install. My bad. So I incorrectly hooked up the hot water line to the cold water inlet and ditto with the cold to hot. In a regularly valved system, this would be fine, just needing to get it in your head which knob you would have to grab at any given moment in your shower to prevent surprises. Here’s the problem with this thingy: when the lines are reversed, the automatic temperature valving won’t work properly, providing only full hot or full cold, no mixing. Good for waking you up in the morning, but not really what we want. Apparently there’s some kind of temperature sensitive wax or something like that that reacts to the incoming temperature, expecting (and only working with) hot on the hot side and cold on the cold. When I realized the temperature setting knob was acting backwards, I simply reversed the hose connections, and viola, problem fixed. Now, when (for example) set to the 38 deg C marker on the temp knob, the readout is exactly 100 deg F as it should be and stays there (or any other temp I happen to choose to set it at). Like I said: Nice feature. So just take note of the connections on install. Also, some reviewers have suggested that the temp control won’t let the water get hot enough. Note that there is a safety detent on the temp valve knob stopping it from turning any hotter at 38 deg C, as marked on the knob. Simply press the red button on the side of the knob to release the detent and turn farther to get higher temps. Finally, on the water control issues: The on/off water flow knob is reversed from what I would expect. To turn on the water, one turns the flow knob to the left 1/4 turn; to shut off the water, turn it to the right 1/4 turn. Not a problem. It just seems backwards to me (and yes, I know, one normally opens a faucet valve by cranking it to the left, and off to the right – it’s just that the way this panel is set up, particularly with only 1/4 turn full travel, it functions more like a switch than a valve, and, normally one would turn a switch knob to the right to turn it on/up; to the left to turn it off/down – think of an old style radio on/off/volume knob). Not a problem; just a personal observation/idiosyncrasy.5. Finally, the supplied connection hoses might be a little short for some applications. In my case, they were EXACTLY the right length, as if they had been custom made for my application. One inch shorter, or had I mounted the unit one inch higher on the wall, I would have had a problem. Not an unsolvable problem, just a nuisance. The hoses are standard flexible plumbing connection hoses, with standard fittings at both ends, already connected to the unit, and can be replaced with longer ones if necessary, available at any big-box store. My only concern had I needed to go down that route was that the hoses come pre-connected (who knows how tightly) to valves that are attached from the back through the glass face. Applying excessive force removing the supplied hoses that were already attached, or tightening the replacement ones, could possibly crack the glass panel. So if you have to go that route, go gently!Bottom line: This is a beautiful, rich looking, and functional unit with only a couple of issues to be aware of. None are deal-breakers, or even close to it. It appears to be well made and solid in its construction (notwithstanding the minor mfg quality control issue on the battery box already noted). We love it and it really topped off our bathroom remodel/modernization. The seller got the thing to us unscathed in only 3 days. We would purchase this thingy again in a heartbeat (and just might for our other bathrooms!), and would decidedly get it from this supplier.

I have had the panel for about three months now. I am really happy with it. There are a couple of items worth mentioningI installed the unit in a typical construction grade tub/shower arrangement with curtain. This was a bit like installing a diamond in a piece of coal but my plan was to prototype a panel in the guest bath for eventual installation of a similar or nicer unit in my master bathroom. The net result is I now take all my showers in the guest bathroom.Why? Well, the panel has a temp gauge so I can easily see where I'm at when I get the shower warming up. I know what my best temps are for post workout shower and normal evening shower. I can set the faucet up and get exactly the right temp before I step in. Very cool.The panel looks great in the shower. It really looks high quality for the price. If you have hard water, be prepared to give the fascia a wipe down after your shower in order to keep it shiny. No biggie, takes me about 30 seconds.The shower head is a fixed spray but I love the rainlike quality of the shower. Water flow is very evenly distributed across the large square shower outlet and is just feels great without splashing all over the place. You could almost shower without a curtain. For those who want a massage effect you can use the hand held shower fixture which provides different spray patterns.The small spray outlets on the fascia work OK but I find them somewhat superfluous. Some people would probably like them.The install was a bit of a pain but that had to do with ancient plumbing at my place, all of which I had to cut out and replace. Good news is I was able to find all necessary parts on Amazon.Finally the shower fascia is like a mirror so you can use it to shave in the morning. There is a small flat area on top of the panel which is perfect for shaving cream and razor storage.Overall I am really happy with this shower and consider it a great value for money as of the three month point.Edit at the one year point. Still very happy have not remodeled yet but shower still looks and operates beautifully.Update 12/02/19 - well, I now have nearly two and a half years on this panel and it is going great. Couple of tips and lessons learned.1. As mentioned in my original review. If you have anything but the softest water, invest thirty seconds of time to wipe the unit down after use. I do this and the darn thing still looks brand new. it is used a lot too.2. When you first get the unit, pay special attention to the nut which holds the shower head to the panel. Mine is a little looser than I would like and I keep having the readjust the shower head pipe coming out of the panel. No leaks there but just an annoying adjustment. To fix this I will have to remove the panel from its brackets to get behind the fascia and tighten the nut. That is a bit of a pain so check tightness before you install.Overall I am still extremely happy. The unit continues to function perfectly. I intend to buy a second one to install in the master shower.update 08/11/23Time flies!! But it does not seem to be flying for the shower panel. Still looks and functions like new.Couple more observations first, the nut to tighten the shower head pipe is not accessible even with the panel off the wall. As, mentioned earlier, not an issue leak wise but annoying having to tweak the orientation of the shower head from time to time. They probably have that fixed by now.The internal plumbing of this unit is the secret sauce IMO, All you need on the wall is a cold and hot water outlet. I pity those of you who have a behind the wall multi function valve. Heads up people, sooner or later you are going to have to replace this valve and it will cost a fortune. Do yourself a favor, buy a shower panel which includes the valve and plumbing. And reconfigure your bath to simply provide hot and cold water outlets (similar to what you see with a clothes washer). This way when something goes bad you can simply replace the panel and it will take you about 30 minutes AND the install will be FREE. You can buy one of the panels for the cost of two hours of plumber's labor, not that you'll have to because this thing is holding up beautifully after almost six years.

It’s beautiful, easily installed, and works beautifully. Plus, it’s easy to clean and everyone who sees it loves it!

Let's jump in the features...WOW FACTOR!The first thing I noticed once I unboxed it was the craftsmanship of the panel. It is beautiful, well-made, high-quality materials, even better looking than the pictures and a surprising (but very welcome and satisfying) weight. This shower panel is built to last (see supporting reviews). Of course there are a few shortcuts with some of the components (inevitable), but not where it really counts.Installation Alert (and not because of the panel)!Do yourself a favour and watch some of the YouTube installation videos. The installation, with proper measurement and tools, looks fairly doable, right?. So the description is accurate and I gave it 5 stars on that basis. But the one thing that made me stop doing it myself: drilling into tiles. You have to have the right drill bit, and a steady hand, and really know what you are doing. I called a plumber after that; I was not taking a chance that the tile would break or crack. Plus the added incentive from the company to maintain warranty status if installed by a professional.I was very much rewarded with this decision, because where the unit was installed, the tiles are not completely level and straight (slight curvature), so the plumber and me had to do some finessing. So remember, if this is a replacement (instead of new because you are renovating), it's never a perfect scenario afterwards (take heed condo dwellers like myself, this is a recurring theme with appliances and other installations!). Totally worth the money to have an expert install the unit.Second Impression: It looks FANTASTIC!Once we were done, it looked better than I had imagined! Friends were impressed as well... But even better, the plumber commented on it as well. The fact that he thought I had paid well over $1,000 for it just kept reinforcing I had made the right choice! And yes, it is true that other hardware stores sell this unit at 3X the price listed here.Drum Roll: FIRST USE!When you marry Design with Function, this is where your experience is basically elevated. And the first time I was finally able to use the shower, the luxury experience was achieved. There are over 2,000 plus reviews you can read through for additional details. I'm just giving the sum of the total experience. Perfect.Bonus Impression: ServiceFifteen days later, the panel was at a lower price with a coupon. I contacted the seller, and no muss no fuss, they refunded me the difference. Just like that. It is such a rare thing today that the service you receive is without compromise, frustration and fast and frankly achieves both surprise and delight! Now that is how you maintain your brand, and stand behind your products.Keep doing your research because it's important, but the level of stars here is not by accident. An easy 5++ stars for me, and as you have gathered, for many others as well...

Muy buena calidad y funcionamiento.

Pros:* Great quality system. Temperature readout works great. Had to drop-in 2 AA batteries* Absolutely love the mist function and the jets. Totally worth the value* Overall very well built system sturdy and solid structure. Nice sleek shower-head tooCons:* Challenging installation for a retrofit. Should be straightforward if you are doing a complete renovation* Made 5-6 trips to home depot to get right size fittings and piping to connect to existing plumbing. Unit came with 1/2 inch connectors and I think commonly used standard is 3/8 inch including all my plumbing. Might be 1/2 inch for you* Weighs 15 KG. Requires reinforcement to wall studs. Had to cut drywall and add 2 horizontal 2x4 between studsDefinitely value for money. I had challenges installing because I did a DIY project on this. I am sure your plumber can do it easily. Works great and the family loves it.

Installed over an existing acrylic bath enclosure. Had access to the wall from the room behind which is absolutely necessary. Since I had existing holes in the acrylic from the original taps and spout, I would have preferred someone manufacture a unit 10.5" wide and 5' high on the back part touching the wall to cover the existing holes and suit a 6' tall person. Also, a double articulating arm at the rainfall head to allow additional height. I installed it for a 5'-1" tall person, while covering the original tap holes, but not the spout hole. This shower panel was not tall enough. My existing 1/2" copper piping required 2 female threaded adaptor soldered on a revised piping arrangement. This part goes straight through the acrylic, with the head proud. Their right-angle elbow threads into this female threaded part with 3 wraps of teflon tape, their head facing downward about half way inside the shower panel. You have to drill 2 x 15/16" holes in the acrylic. Their elbow adaptor rotates 360 degrees, so it was easier to rotate it up to install their hoses. The holes have to be at a precise height as they have a cross brace about 4" below their lower bracket support, and I only had about 1" clearance above their right-angle adaptor, and the shower panel also drops about 3/4" on the support bracket as it is mounted. Their hoses are relatively short, so you have to set the shower panel at one only design height. If I ever retile the shower, I can raise the shower panel. I had to patch the 3 acrylic holes, drill a pilot hole to determine the correct height from the rear side versus the bathtub height, make 2 mounting brackets between wall studs, and redesign and solder the copper piping with 4" centres from existing 8" centres. Luckily I already had shutoff valves in these two water lines. My assistant used a 24" high cardboard box in the shower to support the shower panel for installation. Luckily I am retired as it took about a week to retrofit, thus a (3) for installation, but the shower panel looks really good (5) and appears to work as advertised (4).

The rainfall shower head is the best thing with this unit. I was replacing an older shower tower that had the rainfall feature with blue LED function. The reason for replacement was due to it becoming unusable. I took it off the wall to find that I could not repair it. The Blue Ocean was my choice as the rainfall head can be easily removed for cleaning (de-calcifying). Be very careful when placing the mounting brackets on your wall. Measure it as this unit does not come with a template to tape to your wall. the selector does not allow two unctions to be used together. i.e. Rainfall & body jets or rainfall and hand shower