Speakers for a Steam Shower
I have another thread for my HT, but I figured these were two very different topics. As part of our attic renovation and theater build we are also adding a bedroom and full bath. In the bath we are doing a steam shower. I use Sonos for whole home audio and would and have an extra ZP100 that would power a set of speakers...question is, what speakers do I get? I was wondering about marine speakers that Polk makes for boating. They need to be vapor proof and pretty much splash proof. They are not for critical listening, but would like them to sound decent. Any ideas? The cavity in the wall will probably only accomodate a pair od 6.5s...maybe could get some 8 inch, but it would be tight between the joists. Any recommendations?
Post edited by tghodge on
Comments
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If you're limited by about 6.5" OD You may want to consider the MM651UM Ultra Marine speakers. They sound great, don't have a 2 piece external crossover to deal with. Just keep in mind they're 4 ohm.
http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/6-1-2/speakers/mm651um/-Eric
-Polk Audio -
If you're limited by about 6.5" OD You may want to consider the MM651UM Ultra Marine speakers. They sound great, don't have a 2 piece external crossover to deal with. Just keep in mind they're 4 ohm.
http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/6-1-2/speakers/mm651um/
Thanks Eric. Would these mount similar to an in celing speaker? I would have to cut the hole in the cement board and then once I am done tiling the shower put them in with a bead of silicone to keep the steam from going behind the wall into the celing joists (that would be extremly bad). Wasnt sure how marine speakers mounted and if they had the clips or not. These would be in the celing with their weight wanting to force them down, so wasnt sure about their mounting ability. -
Who is installing the Steam Shower?
They might have some ideas for you... Have you talked to your contractor about the exact cost of a Steam Shower? -
No, the MM651UM do not have the "dog ears" like an in ceiling speaker does. You would screw it in.
You can use any of our current in ceiling speakers (except the LC80i-IP, cause it has electronics behind it) in a moist environment such as a steam shower, but the smallest one we have is the SC50 which is 7.5" in diameter. It has stainless hardware, rubber surrounds and a powdercoated aluminum grille.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/inceiling/hidden/sc50/-Eric
-Polk Audio -
I am doing most of the work myself although will bring in a tile guy for the cement board, mud pan, etc. I already have the steam generator and completed the rough in for the plumbing. A steam shower is not much more expensive than a traditional shower with the exception of the generator, more tile, etc. My brother is in the plumbing business so got all the shower valves, generator, etc at cost, so that saves a ton. I do have a buddy that has some Mr. Steam speakers (not sure who manufactures them for Mr. Steam) and they sound pretty bad. Again its not for critical listening, but would at least like a little clarity. I posted also on the Sonos forum to see if there were any recommendations there.
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Did you look up how much the cement is for a steam shower?
It's VERY expensive.
My Father used to remodel homes and HIS cost as a contractor was nearly $1,000 for the cement... It's not the same cement as a standard shower. -
Upstatemax wrote: »Did you look up how much the cement is for a steam shower?
It's VERY expensive.
My Father used to remodel homes and HIS cost as a contractor was nearly $1,000 for the cement... It's not the same cement as a standard shower.
From my resarch and the couple of freinds that already have steam showers I plan on doing concrete board which is the backer board and then tile over it with a porcelain tile Are you talking about poured concrete? Not sure they still do resedential steam showers that way. To your point I will talk to a few different subs to understand their methodolgy on construction. The shower may have to hold off and I just build out the home theater instead!! -
No, the MM651UM do not have the "dog ears" like an in ceiling speaker does. You would screw it in.
You can use any of our current in ceiling speakers (except the LC80i-IP, cause it has electronics behind it) in a moist environment such as a steam shower, but the smallest one we have is the SC50 which is 7.5" in diameter. It has stainless hardware, rubber surrounds and a powdercoated aluminum grille.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/inceiling/hidden/sc50/
Eric this is good to know. I have RC80i's as my in celing for my office, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. If I can use the current in line I can figure out what i can fit inbetween the joists. I assume I would install the exact same way, just do some clear silicone where the speakers meet the porcelain tile. -
From my resarch and the couple of freinds that already have steam showers I plan on doing concrete board which is the backer board and then tile over it with a porcelain tile Are you talking about poured concrete? Not sure they still do resedential steam showers that way. To your point I will talk to a few different subs to understand their methodolgy on construction. The shower may have to hold off and I just build out the home theater instead!!
I was talking about the cement/mortor for the tile... IIRC, it's an ultra-fine cement mix. -
Upstatemax wrote: »I was talking about the cement/mortor for the tile... IIRC, it's an ultra-fine cement mix.
understood now. I will make sure in my conversations to ask specifics on what they are using. I assume becuase of the higher humidty this type will hold up better and stronger than the normal mortar? Thanks for the heads up. I will add it to my items to discuss with the tile folks. Much appreciated. -
No, the MM651UM do not have the "dog ears" like an in ceiling speaker does. You would screw it in.
You can use any of our current in ceiling speakers (except the LC80i-IP, cause it has electronics behind it) in a moist environment such as a steam shower, but the smallest one we have is the SC50 which is 7.5" in diameter. It has stainless hardware, rubber surrounds and a powdercoated aluminum grille.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/inceiling/hidden/sc50/
Eric: Would the RC60i also fit the moist environment criteria? I understand the SC line does but was also curious if the RCi line did as well. I think I can fit a pair of RC60i's, but they do not state the specific stainless, powdercoated verbiage that is under the SC line. -
What about the Kohler/Polk Audio speaker?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Eric: Would the RC60i also fit the moist environment criteria? I understand the SC line does but was also curious if the RCi line did as well. I think I can fit a pair of RC60i's, but they do not state the specific stainless, powdercoated verbiage that is under the SC line.
The round RCi's do come with aluminum grilles and stainless mounting hardware.
The RCi series does not hold up to temperature or moisture extremes like the other in-walls (like SC, TCi and LCi). I just spoke with the QA department and they recommend no more than 160° F for an RCi.
How hot do you expect to run the steam shower?What about the Kohler/Polk Audio speaker?
That's an excellent suggestion. Though the "speaker" is rectangular, if that's OK with the OP.
http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?item=12811402
It will survive both the water and the heat.-Eric
-Polk Audio -
What about the Kohler/Polk Audio speaker?
That's was my suggestion, not that we use them, I just remember an article about them. -
Hi, I have TCi 610i speakers installed throughout my new house including the steam shower. The installer swore that they were fine for the steam shower... however after only a couple uses of the steam shower the grills appear to have a brown residue (although it wipes off easily). I am concerned that these are not proper speakers for the environment. Can anyone comment?
Thanks for the help. -
In the bath we are doing a steam shower. I use Sonos for whole home audio and would and have an extra ZP100 that would power a set of speakers...question is, what speakers do I get?
First, what is a steam shower? Second, is this like a sauna or spa where you stay in it for 30-60 minutes? I don't have any idea what speakers would work, but I am going to remodel a bathroom.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Hi, I have TCi 610i speakers installed throughout my new house including the steam shower. The installer swore that they were fine for the steam shower... however after only a couple uses of the steam shower the grills appear to have a brown residue (although it wipes off easily). I am concerned that these are not proper speakers for the environment. Can anyone comment?
Thanks for the help.
They are NOT the correct speakers for that type of installation.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Okay, If the TCi610i are not the correct speakers... which Polk or other manufacturer speakers are of similar size that can be used in a steam shower.
Thanks. -
Or could just stay here, on the homepage and see what's available.....
http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/index.phpCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Why waste polk speakers? use BOSEI am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding!
Why am I here? My wife's hearing! 
My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA -
But, Since you can't buy the MM651UM's Here then you might as well go back to Crutchfield and buy them there.
Sure you can Genius McGee....call 866.764.1801 between 9-1030 EST.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
