I have the Hydro Systems Lacey in 5.5', but I believe they offer a 5' as well. I was deciding between the Archer and the Lacey and went with the Lacey due to shipping time. So far I've been very pleased with the tub. It's quite deep for me and plenty deep for my 6'3" significant other. I do find it comfortable even though the shape is fairly square (which I like visually).

We bought the 6' Kohler Underscore tub for our upcoming master bathroom remodel site unseen only to find out that is was massive and uncomfortable. Unlike all of the other tubs we had tried out (Kohler and other brands) the Underscore has sides that go straight down. The front and the back have a taper that is OK but not all that comfortable. Compare the volume of the tubs and you'll see what I mean. The 5' Archer is 58 gal to the Underscore's 81 gal! The 6' Underscore was a massive 139 gal and while a big tub sounded nice to us it felt like a swimming pool that neither cradled you or had a relaxing back to rest on. I'm 6' and my husband is 5'6" and we could both sit in the tub side by side without even touching each other. Also the bottom did not have enough length for my legs to sit flat on the bottom. For a 6' long tub taking up that much valuable bathroom space that is something I wanted.

We ended up driving it back ourselves (we ordered it online from FaucetDirect) and are going to order a MTI Andrea tub instead. Same look with the symmetrical sides but smaller width, resting your arm on the lip of the tub is not too high to do, my legs fit on the bottom, and it has a more comfortable back (we found a showroom that had it so we could test it out first).

Here is a link that might be useful: MTI's Andrea 8 Tub

I wish there was a system to track which tubs were in which showrooms! It is really hard to know without "trying them on." The tub I have now has built-in armrests which are nice in a deep tub. At least you can see from pix if they have those or not. What is really hard to determine just from looking is the comfort of the lumbar angle.

Thanks for the specific info. I had looked at the Andrea as well, but I sure would like to sit in one. three acres-- I don't suppose you are in the Pacific NW? I have plenty of time to make a final selection as we are not breaking ground for several months yet.

Nope sorry we're over in the Midwest. Our local Ferguson showroom had the Andrea on display. I'd try calling around to see what models nearby plumbing showrooms have on display. We later found out that one an hour and a half from us had the Underscore on display. A bit of a drive but it could have saved us a lot of trouble in the long run.

regarding the underscore vs archer: The archer 1123 5'x32"x19" and has a capacity of 58 gallons. The Underscore 1130 5'x32"x21" holds 81 gallons because it is two inches deeper. We got the underscore because of the depth, and I don't ever expect to fill it to capacity. The Archer is a perfectly good tub if 19" is deep enough for you.

I have looked at all these tubs and one more -- American Standard Studio (2932.002-D2). It has water capcity of 59 gallons in the 5 ft size. The nominal depth is 22 1/2 in and 17 3/4 in to overflow. The Studio is a newer American Standard line. I'm pretty sure this is what we are going to go with. It is available with 0, 2 and 4 inch edge profiles. You may want to check it out.

In Atlanta, I have not been able to find displays of any of the tubs discussed here. I'd love to hear more opinions.

Sounds like I will be spending some quality time on the phone to see what is in the showrooms. That's a lot of calls, though! Any other first- hand advice out there is welcome! Thanks everyone for being so specific-- although what is comfortable to one person may not be to another, it really helps to know the basis for your opinions. Showrooms tend to have the big showoff tubs on display, but maybe I'll get lucky.

lori_inthenw, I'm having the same issues finding tubs to try. I'm considering the 5' Underscore because of the cost and lynneblack's satisfaction with it but I'm also trying to find the Caribbean (only 52 gallons) because it claims to have a comfortably sloped back. But it's a lot more money so I don't want to buy it without trying it. I visited the Kohler design center last August (really fun). Wish I'd paid more attention to the tubs I sat in when I was there. There was one that was super comfortable but I balked at the price. But that was before I did much shopping and learned how expensive tubs can be. I've been tempted to call up the design center and see if they can help me figure out which tubs I might have sat in. Now that's desperate!

I'm in the PNW, too (Portland). Where are you? Maybe we can help each other out by doubling up our search efforts and sharing who has what tub.

Lori, if you're anywhere near Portland, contact Pamela Love at Ferguson's showroom, 503-222-1144. She's great with helping one narrow down bathtub choices, even when the tub isn't on display to try. She asked me about my bath tub preferences (whirlpool, soaking, etc), had me try several tubs and from that came up with 2 options for me. One is already on my list, the other is new to me, both will give me the bathing experience I'm craving. She might be able to help you, too.

I saw the Archer tub on display at Keller Supply in Beaverton. Haven't found the Underscore anywhere yet.

If you're not near Portland, contact your local Ferguson showroom and ask to make an appointment with their bath specialist.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Keller Supply, Beaverton

Just wanted to say we used the 5' Underscore in our remodel, and I love it. I sat in a lot of tubs in showrooms here in the Midwest (sorry I don't remember which ones now...this was two years ago), but this one is deep, has a clean profile, and (most important to me) the lumbar/backrest feels good. I am 5'6" and my DH doesn't loll in the tub as I do, so it was a good choice in our rather small MBR.

Goes to show you how subjective the comfort factor is-- that's why it would be really hard for me to decide without "trying on" a tub. I'm in Seattle, but get to Portland once in a while either for work or for fun, and we have some time to do this, so I will definitely check out the showrooms there. I didn't know about the bath specialists at Ferguson, so I will check that out. We do have a Keller Supply here, so that's one of the places I was going to call, even though it is close enough, I will probably end up going there anyway.

Thanks everyone for the input-- still researching this and now I have another question (thank goodness I have another year to make final final decisions).

If we use tile for the surround, does that mean a drop-in tub instead of undermount? I ask this because I find with a deep tub, I like to sit on the ledge and swing my legs over rather than stepping in. So I need a wide enough ledge to sit on, without sitting on the thick tub edge. Trying to figure out if this limits my options, and if so, how?

we have a 5' Underscore, drop in with tile for a surround. Sorry the picture isn't great, it was taken through the glass that separates the tub from the shower

Lynne, thanks for the photo-- it looks nice. I'm deciding that I'd rather have a deep and relatively short tub witha generous surrounding deck rather than one snugly fit into an alcove, so it helps to see this. Do you mind measuring the height from floor to top of tile and also the flat deck space on the sides (I can look up the measurements of the tub itself.)

Do you find that you miss having armrests? for me it depends on the depth of the tub. In the really deep ones I have sat in, I feel like there's no place for my arms without hunching up my shoulders and using the desk itself.

floor to top of tile is 20" width of deck from outside edge of tub to edge of tile is 6". I use the shower, the tub is my husband's and he loves it; he says it's super comfortable. He's 5'11 about 165 lbs

Thanks, Lynne-- I hope to find some candidate tubs to sit in this weekend. This is a couple inches shorter and narrower than the ledge I sit on now, but that doesn't mean it won't work. I will also have a large window adjacent-- I think that really helps it seem roomier, but fit is the crucial variable and oh, so subjective!

lynneblack, your tub and shower are beautiful. May I ask what is the width of your Underscore tub? We have limited space so will do the 5 ft tub, but wondering which width to do -- 30 or 32. Thank you

thank you for the compliment, we are very happy with it- we were blessed to have a friend who is a GC =). The tub is 30". We debated about getting the 32" but the 30" seems to be fine (if it wasn't my husband would be whining about it lol)

I was deciding between the Kohler Archer, Hydrosystems Lacey (but the 36" wide one), an MTI tub similar to the Hydrosystems, and the Mirabelle Edenton. I ended up going with the Mirabelle because it was the largest interior dimensions of all of the tubs. I drove to three different places (two Fergusons and one other showroom) to sit in them each. The Mirabelle was slightly more expensive than the Kohler, but the acrylic didn't feel as cheap to me. The Hydrosystems was the most comfortable to me in terms of the backrest, but it was shorter (I'm 5'11") than the Kohler and Mirabelle. Although the Kohler is 32" wide and the Edenton I bought is only 30" wide, the Edenton feels much larger inside because there's no armrests eating up space. You really need to sit in each. The other benefit if its an alcove location is that Kohler's skirt is unattractive. So long as you can fit an access panel, the Mirabelle and Hydrosystems offers a modern skirt (and the Hydrosystems even provides you with the option of adding the skirt and flanges on other sides). The Kohler is a lower tub but the drain allows you to fill it more.

(Mirabelle is only sold at Ferguson, by the way.)

Here is a link that might be useful: You can see my tub at

Wow, Kevin, you did a great job on your bathroom, and thanks for adding to the list of possibilities! So far, I'm inclined to give extra points for armrests as opposed to additional width, but it could be because that's what I'm used to. But you are right, you really do need to do the "sit test" and judge for yourself. I like the idea of the linear drain on the Archer that allows for deeper filling without making the tub a lot larger, but I really need to try one on for size. Do you remember the name of the MTI tub you considered?

Lori, this may be too late but I've just recently rejoined the forum and saw your posting. I have sat in an MTI Andrea 4, 60 x 32 with arm rests and it was very comfortable. I'm 5' 8" and husband is 5' 11" so for him we are going for the 65" version - also because it just fits better with our bath configuration.

I really liked the arm rests and the angle of the bath. We also like modern and it has a nice clean angle look to it, yet the back slopes nicely. Many modern looking baths are too straight on the back for me. Yes, I wish there was a way to keep track of who has what tubs on show but one way I found helpful to compare/contrast was to look closely at the specs, paying attention to things like angle of the back slope.

Not too late at all-- we have not even broken ground yet, I am just trying to get all the decisions made, or at least narrowed down, as soon as I can. I'm glad to hear you like the Andrea, and that you found the 60 x 32 to be comfortable. That is the one I have tentatively decided on, even though I haven't found one to sit in. I looked really carefully at the specs and it seems the closest in back slope and arm rests to the tub I have now, even though this one is much longer. I do like the modern lines as well. Are you doing the drop-in or undermount? I guess if i do a tile deck, I'll have to do the drop-in, but it should look fine. (You are so right, a lot of the modern sleek-looking tubs have way to straight of a back for me.)

Ours will have to fit in an alcove as the room is 5.5 ft wide. We're leaning towards getting one with an apron so I don't think that's either undermount or drop-in. For me the less tile the better. I know a tiled in bath can look beautiful but I'm not a fan of grout. Just FYI the 5ft Andrea felt longer than other 5ft tubs I tried. I have long legs and had no problem stretching my legs out flat.

This may be too late, but I found an Archer today and sat in it. I found it comfortable and I like that it has the horizontal drain. I'm 5'3, so it was plenty long!

lori_inthenw,
I know this a old post but wanted to know if you have decided on the tub and what you went with. We are also considering underscore. can you also let me know if you choose the drop in or the under mount version.

TIA

We are still under construction, but decided on the Americh Madison. I wanted a deep, rectangular tub with armrests. We are just going to go ahead and drop it in so that we can easily put it on the large format tile (although there will only be slivers of tile since there's not much deck.

Thanks for the information Lori.

Lori, did the tub ever get installed? I was wondering what you thought of it? I was looking for Archer reviews when I came across this thread and now I'm interested in your tub.

I am trying to decide on a 36" x 5 ft acrylic drop in soaking tub before we start building so I will know what I want when the time comes to make that choice. I'm 5'5" and I like to soak in a warm bath every now and then but I mostly just take showers. So if anybody can suggest a good comfortable soaking tub, I am all ears. I like the rectangular look but wouldn't mind the comfort of a few curves.

duplicate post

This post was edited by JDez on Mon, Dec 23, 13 at 15:12

Not installed yet, alas! The Madison is rectangular in terms of its shape looking down on it, but the back has a nice curve for the lumbar and I like the arm rests. I found one to sit in at Pacific Sales when we were on a trip last year, but it was longer. I realized the depth was more important to my soaking pleasure than the length.

Our shower is separate, though, so we don't have to climb in the thing on a daily basis. I hope I can remember to get badk to this thread and post a pic when it is all done-- March, April... someday!

Somewhere at home I have a summary of some different models I was interested and their soaking depth, as I was comparing them to the tub I have now. I can post that later if you are interested.

Lori, I'd be very interested. Our shower is also separate from our tub. I will be the only to use the tub for the occasional soak after working in the yard. The blueprints just say 36" by 60" tub so I guess that'll have to be the size, although I don't think I have ever had a tub that big. No hurry on this info. We are just about to pour the slab so it'll be about five months before I need to choose my bathtub. I'm just one of those people who take forever to make a decision so I need to get a head start.