Hi! Just in case anyone ever searches for Bain Ultra and this comes up, we did go with the Bain Ultra Amma in the oval (72" x 42") in the biscuit color. It has the Geysair system - and it is heavenly. I was really worried that the air would make the water cold but it doesn't at all. It's warm and bubbly until we want to turn it off. If I have any issue - and it's not a complaint for me!) - there is really no "LOW" bubble level. It let's you choose percentage of bubbles, but even low (10%) is pretty bubbly! We installed the motor for the air just below the floor to help with the noise, but if I had to do it again, not sure it's worth the effort. If it's on, it's only noise in the bathroom and you are surrounded by bubbles and can't hear it! Now, folks downstairs can sort of hear the general hum of the motor when someone takes a tub, so that's the tradeoff. In the end, I'm thrilled with our purchase so I just thought I'd pass it on, because I was looking for experiences before we purchased. Good luck to anyone picking a new tub! P.S. The only thing I *didn't* think of was that our tub deck doesn't have much room around it and the tub is so wide... that I can't reach the windows behind the tub, and I can't clean the marble on the tub surround without getting in the tub. Oops! Oh well, small price to pay for my dreamy tub time! :-) Not a great pic b/c it's from my iphone and night here, but you get the idea. :-)

The fact is laws of physics cannot be changed, and when you blow hot air into water it will cool it down no matter what brand of tub it is. Now Bain Ultra was the original air tub, their service is top notch, their parts and materials are top notch, and their design has only the bather in mind. Kohler is not a bad alternative, but all things being equal Bain Ultra all the way. Hope this helps.

I *much* prefer jetted over air tubs. I have some major back problems and my DH has minor ones - which is definitely a factor in wanting a firmer, more shi-atsu style massage experience in the tub. We've had a combo tub but simply rarely used the air part. But - we're either soakers or shi-atsu types - whereas others like the more gentle effervescence (I bet I would have too, when I was less prone to muscle cramping). We've recently done the B and B thing where you book a room with an air tub and then one with a jet tub - and then compare ( fun! ). I can see where people would prefer one over the other ( but we still prefer the waterjets, even though the places that have them are less expensive - we need the deep massage). If a person can afford it - get both, otherwise be sure you know which option fits your body/relaxation needs. I joke about the airbaths (just fill your tub up with 7-up - you'll love it) - but that's because my nerve damage makes it less perceptible (damage I didn't know I had until I got into comparing sensations). It's true the air is quieter - which some regard as more relaxing, but I'm prone to playing music while I relax - and well, the volume of the music exceeds the jets and I like it that way. Other times, I just like the roar of the jetted white water. Again, I totally get how some people like effervescence instead of rapids. What do you think you'd really like if you could only have one? Or...could you consider both? (We are about to purchase a jetted tub with the Ozone system, which most good models have - so we're not worried about bacteria, I'd want an ozone unit whether I had air or jet).

I have to say we were pretty shocked at the amount of water action in our BainUltra air jet. We had been expecting the "gentle bubble bath". But it really gets the water moving, even when set at 10%. We seldom run it at full power, but it's got quite a bit of kick. At times, I think it would be nice to have the ability to dial it back to about 1% for a quiet champagne style of bubbling. The whirlpool jets do have more of a direct massage since they are directing the water stream instead of indirectly through the air bubbles. See if you can find a way to try out the ones you're considering and which you might prefer. I know some of the vendor sites listed various hotels or B&Bs that have them installed. We checked out operational units at a local distributor.