SpeakmanZ6000-YB-YC S-2253 Classic Anystream High Pressure Adjustable Shower Head, Polished Chrome, 2.5 GPM

Like many of you, I set out to find the great showerhead we found in our last hotel (Embassy Suites). The hotel showerhead was a Speakman S-2253. One thing to point out is the hotel water pressure is unlikely to be duplicated. Although our home water pressure is good, it's much less than that of the hotel.Speakman S-2005-H:Not knowing which Speakman showerhead was at the hotel, I first ordered the Speakman S-2005-H. This is a great all around showerhead ranging from 1.5 inch concentrated blast (massage mode) to a pleasant wide dispersion of the water from 5 perimeter nozzles. As soon as I got the S-2005-H, it was very obvious this shower head was much bigger than what was at the hotel; the S-2005-H was about 5 inches in diameter. [I did not see the smaller S-2253 until later.] I would highly recommend the S-2005-H as a great overall showerhead. Nevertheless, I wanted the same "water fall" experience I had at the hotel, and the S-2005-H was not it (more on this later). BTW: I took the little O Ring out of this showerhead to increase the water flow; apparently, this doubles water pressure.Now, my wife was NOT happy with the S-2005-H for the simple reason it replaced an 18 inch Flex Neck Waterpik showerhead. She loved the flexible neck shower head for when she cleaned the shower - as it could be pointed at any wall or ceiling. FYI: no shower head other than a hand shower has the flexible hose of the Waterpik flex neck. Secondly, a much taller son did not like the relatively fixed position of a typical shower head as too close to the wall we also have a shower stool sitting next to. The Waterpik flex neck is very convenient, but it does not offer the same water pressure and spray pattern I wanted that the Speakman shower head can provide.Speakman VS-3014 Handheld Shower:To meet my families combined needs, my next purchase was the Speakman hand shower VS-3014 (2.5 GPM). This offered a similar experience to the S-2005-H, but not quite the same water pressure. However, I did NOT take out the pressure limiter out of the hand shower bracket to increase the water pressure. I would still rate the VS-3014 hand shower as the best one I have used, but I must confess I have only used brands one-half the cost. The Speakman hand shower appears to be a better engineered product than the typical lower cost brands at box stores.Speakman S-2253:I still was looking for the shower experience I had at the hotel, and along the way I found the smaller entry level Speakman S-2253. The S-2253 was about 2 inches in diameter with 4 perimeter jets; whereas, the S-2005-H was 5 inches in diameter with 5 perimeter jets. Besides the S-2253 being quite a bit smaller than the S-2005-H showerhead, it also offers a spray pattern Speakman calls "drench" mode. I now know drench mode is what I liked so much about the shower experience at the hotel. Drench mode is like a mini waterfall (under gravity), and not the pressurized massage pattern of the S-2005-H. On the S-2253, drench mode is concentrated stream about 2 inches in diameter after 12 inches of fall. I like to adjust the stream to about 4 inches in diameter - for my preference.BTW: At the time of this writing, Amazon offers two more expensive Speakman models in addition to the S-2253 with "drench mode": model S-2252 ($58) and model S-2251 ($121). I chose the entry level model S-2253 (same as at hotel). I'm guessing the S-2252 and S-2251 would have an even better "drench" mode experience for the higher cost showerheads, but I am satisfied with the least cost model S-2253.Removing the flow control cylinder in the S-2253:I knew I was NOT going to return the lower cost S-2253 model, so I punched out the flow restrictor - the white spoked 3/8 inch diameter cylinder holding the tiny O-ring. Simply unscrew the shower head ball, put the threaded side down with the ball up, insert a 3/16-1/4 inch Phillips head screwdriver down through top of ball head, and smack screwdriver downward to dislodge the 3/8 inch flow control cylinder. Note, my first attempt using a 1/8 Phillips head screwdriver only punched a hole through the thin plastic center of the cylinder - so you need to use the bigger Phillips head.Delta Shower Arm extender and Delta Shower Diverter:So, how did I get the showerhead I wanted (S-2253) and the convenience of the Waterpik Flex Neck my other family members wanted - to clean shower walls and adjust height & extension for taller family members? My solution was to purchase the Delta shower arm extender (UA902-pk) for $18 and a Delta Shower Arm Diverter (U4922-PK) for $14.The shower arm diverter allowed the connection of both the S-2253 shower head and the Speakman hand shower. Now the hand shower can be used for directing spray to lower extremities or cleaning shower walls & ceiling (happy wife). The shower arm extender allows the showerhead to be extended about 10 inches away from wall and with an adjustable height setting (happy son). I get to have drench mode of S-2253 (happy me)!

This is a great shower head. I took the restrictor out to make it even stronger. The only draw back to be aware of is that it uses up all the hot water very quickly due to the amount of water it moves. My old shower head would last for a 30 minute shower easily. This uses up all the water in 15 minutes tops. Still an awesome 15 minutes though.

I ordered the 2.5gpm version of this shower head thinking it would provide me with the same pressure my old speakman did but it did not and I can't figure out why. Some reviews here suggested taking out the 'flow restrictor' but I looked inside and there isn't one to remove. There is only the brass cylinder held in by the philips screw on the face of the shower head. I tried it without the screw in place, but that just adds a center stream to the overall spray, not more pressure. I should be getting the same pressure as the old one but can't figure out why I'm not. I suffer from muscle aches in my shoulder and neck and it sure would be great to have that 'fire hose' pressure again; makes rinsing off soap easier too. Anyone?

I have to say the description "Constructed of durable, solid brass ensuring quality and longevity" right next to the photo of all this shiny chrome is misleading. As another review pointed out, the guts are indeed brass, but the entire outer covering of the showerhead, which appears to be something chrome coated, is plastic. When I see something chrome coated right next to the words solid brass, I want that something to be solid brass - perhaps that's just me. It would be more accurate to say that some parts of the showerhead are constructed of solid brass. I'm sure Speakman would say "Oh, but it doesn't say "entirely of solid brass" so our description is in no way misleading. Right.I was looking for something made entirely of metal including the housing to cut down on noise, as even with an extension arm, my head is pretty close to the shower head in our shower. The head I'm replacing made a rather loud hissing noise which I attribute to aerated water hitting against the plastic housing of the head. It's not like my ears were ringing after a shower, but it was more than I want to put up with first thing in the morning. While this head does not seem as loud, I strongly suspect that if the housing was "constructed of solid brass" as the description implies, the noise level of this showerhead would be even lower, and I would be an even happier customer.I measured the flow rate after installing it as it came, and it produced just under 1.5 gallons in a minute, so pretty much as advertised there. I'm not a plumber, but I don't believe that if your pressure is already lower than the rated flow of a showerhead that it will be restricted further. Our pressure is able to produce significantly more than 1.5gal/min, but I'm trying to conserve. Personally I don't feel the need for my shower to blast me against the back wall of the stall, and I find the pressure of this head to be adequate. If you do like your shower to blast you into next week, you may want to consider other options. We have a tub/shower combo, so we have to run the water from the tub spigot to warm it up and set the temp, then turn the knob that sends it up to the showerhead, all with the curtain open. The spread of the spray is even and focused, not so wide that when you first turn that middle knob you get water all over yourself or the bathroom. Getting nailed by cold over-spray first thing in the AM is not my idea of a fun time, and this head seems to avoid that handily.

We have tried 6 faucets so far, this is the best of those

The spray setting is great, exactly what I was expecting having already purchased a Speakman shower head. The other setting would be useless for most people. Ironically, it works great for me as I turn it on the second setting to reduce the pressure while getting into the shower so I don’t get blasted by an extreme temperature. But I never actually use it while showering.

#1 consideration when buying a shower head was comfort. I LOVE SHOWERS. #2 save a little water and money. I tested quite a few shower heads and well they fell short on either point 1 or point 2. This shower heads seems to have found the right mix. Good pressure for a good rinse, no needle like pressure points nor is it loud. Bonus wife likes it too and I feel a little better now with her 20 min showers saving about 20 Gallons. ;)

Thanks to some of the detailed reviews on here, I decided to go with this model of Speakman. I’m very thankful for their reviews because this works great. I purchased it to replace a low-flow shower head, and I’m so glad I did. The first time I used it, I noticed softer hair, as if the ample flow-pressure blasted out some built-up residue that I didn’t even know I had. I did not take the flow regulator out; I just used as-is. Thank you Speakman and Amazon!

It is ok. Pressure not as good as described.

Its simple, effective, and quality. This shower head works far better and produces a far stronger stream than those massive ones with 50 different settings that no one ever uses and barely produces a dribble. It is important to note that compared to the higher end Speakman products used in hotels that this one is plastic and not metal; but it doesn't come across as cheap looking regardless of being plastic.