Image as sent by McLeans staff of their new testing station. Note the rubber extras (and happy smile) being used by the handsome chap in the tub.

McLean Sound Systems have been "testing the water" so to speak, on the possibility of breaking into the lucrative Spa sound market. Apparently, one of the big trends these days is the endless swimming spa which offers a variety of features, including therapeutic relaxation and allowing people to swim on the spot due to the resistance created by counter swim surf jets. One spokesperson from the McLean team suggest "The Spa is a good way to reconnect with friends and family". There was group snickering after this comment but we were never told the gag. They just went on to say "Spas offer exercise, relaxation and therapeutic massage to alleviate stress, aches and pains". By this stage, there was hysterical laughter. There is obviously a story behind this. Best you call McLeans some time and ask them.

Why so popular?
Some people see spas as a near-religious experience with many proving to be a real hit with stressed-out Aussies and Kiwis. Whirling pools, massage jets and bubbling air seats are a certainty to alter the attitude of anybody. Who knows, you could even be offered a Vichy massage (apparently that just means - a massage while you're wet).

The facts and figures
McLeans marketing idea may not be so silly because beauty and health markets to which spas are connected are reporting estimations of an annual turnover in excess of $74 billion (USA alone) and currently climbing at a rate of up to 30% per annum.

These are them
One of the top contenders for the Spa speaker market is a new kid on the loudspeaker block. The company is called Work and the product is called Neo. So get your fluffy towels ready because there is going to be some really cool new product released over the next few weeks. Stay in touch.

Not quite a Vichy massage.