Side by Side Comparison of: Speakman vs LASCO

I removed the o-ring before initially installing this.
It gave a nice wide fine but hard spray to a fairly narrow heavy spray.
I then tried it with the white flow reducer removed and it feels about the same to me.
I do have good water pressure so maybe that's why it didn't seem to make much of a difference.
Overall, I like the fine, hard spray.
It rinses soap and shampoo off really easily and feels great.
I'd definitely buy it again.

Like many of the folks who have reviewed the Speakman Anystream shower-head, a great shower requires a drenching flow of water. I bought this shower-head to replace a 22 year old Speakman Anystream that was installed in our outdoor shower. The old one had corroded to the point where I couldn't precisely control the water flow, the salt air and outdoor environment finely won out.

With that as background the new shower-head doesn't give the same flow, I haven't yet remove the restrictor, but it still work's very well. I also happy to see he quality hasn't been compromised, the new one is just a s heavy as the 22 year old one. I know it's 22 because that when we installed the outdoor shower.

As for the skeptics, I spend much of my life traveling, all over the globe, staying a wide range of hotels and years ago I noticed that whenever I was in a new hotel and loved the shower, it was always a Speakman shower-head. The result is that every shower we have uses a Speakman, with no regrets.

I love this shower head. I have had it installed for over a year without any issues. I did follow the recommendation of other reviewers and removed the water reducing gasket so I get higher water pressure coming out of the shower head. It is solid and heavy not like some other cheap plastic shower heads I have purchased in the past. If I am looking to replace another shower head with this style then I will probably look for this model or a similar model from Speakman.

I have to admit. I have a problem. I'm addicted to water pressure. Just can't live without it. And if high pressure showers are wrong, I don't wanna be right!

My version of a successful shower is the peace of mind of knowing that when I step out, one full layer of epidermis has been thoroughly expunged. I live for the feeling of pure, unadulterated water power pressure washing everything away.

So imagine my disappointment when my first ever house purchase, though full of water pressure potential, left something to be desired. The cleansing ability lay dormant, with no device present to harness this latent power. Undeterred, I searched until the instrument of my shower salvation was discovered.

The Speakman S-2252 Anystream is one of those dying breeds that lives by the ages old yet dying creed, "Do one thing, and do it well." This shower head delivers power. Raw, unapologetic power. But that is something to be described a little later.

The first thing you notice about this shower head is that, despite it's rather diminutive size, it is hefty. There is no mistaking whether this item is made of quality materials. Gravity and mass make sure of that. Solid brass, made to last.

The second trait is simplicity. There is no rotary dial with 100 settings. There is simply a lever on the side that moves the 8 nozzles on the face of the head in and out. When moved in the nozzles "squeeze" the water, like your finger covering the end of a hose, giving you defined jets of water and higher pressure. When moved out the nozzles allow free flow of water. Less pressure, but much higher flow. The beauty is that even with such simplicity, the lever can be stopped anywhere you like to adjust streams and pressure to your liking. You really do have the option of "Anystream".

Instructions for installation were included and were simple and clear. Like most shower heads, installation isn't rocket science, but if you've never done it before, the instructions make it pretty difficult to mess up. Also included was a small roll of Teflon tape. I was quite pleased with this, as I had misplaced my own roll. I also was pleasantly surprised to find that there is probably enough tape included for 3 installs, so the rest was thrown into the toolbox to be put to future use.

Then, to the moment of truth. I turned on the shower and no leakage. But the pressure. Oh! The pressure! I hadn't even stepped into the shower, yet I knew I had found what I had been looking for. I could feel the rush of air as it moved out of the way of the water. I smiled. This was the moment I had been waiting for. I stepped in...

I can only describe the shower experience with one word... Joy. My wife will testify to the fact that I was giggling like a schoolgirl the entire time. Like Michael Jordan clutching his first NBA championship trophy, I embraced the water as a long lost friend. This was what I had searched so long for. The perfect shower experience. When the nozzles of the head are turned out for full flow, it's like having someone continually pour buckets of water on your head. Need to rinse off some soap? Done. In an instant. There is no waiting here. But, when you really want to step to the next level, turn that lever all the way over and you will be met with something only a step below a fire hose. On its highest setting, the jets that flew from this shower head stung me. That's not an exaggeration. They literally stung. Some might not find that appealing. I, however, could do nothing but grin like the kid who just received his first bike.

Am I satisfied with my purchase? Oh yes. This shower head is not for the faint of heart. But if you have the courage to enter the heart of darkness, you WILL emerge victorious. You will emerge refreshed. You may even be a new person. But one thing is sure. Your flesh will be cleansed.

(One thing to note. As most shower heads do, this one came with a flow regulator pre-installed. It is a simple plastic piece fitted into the connector end of the head. If you are like me and don't enjoy feeling restricted in your shower taking, you will want to remove this piece. Of all the things that I tried, I would recommend a pick or pointed Phillips screwdriver and a hammer. After fiddling with it for a few minutes trying other methods, one good whack with the screwdriver on the inner edge of the plastic had it dislodged immediately. I am more than happy that I removed this piece. However, considering just how absurdly good this shower head is, I would suggest trying it with the regulator in place first. I would have to think that it will be more than capable even with governmental shackles on it. When I purchase another one of these for the guest bathroom I will most likely leave the regulator in at first to compare. I will try to remember to update this review at that time when I do.)

Smooth, fluid motion via the handle gives a fair variation in streams.

Pressure seems great, you may not even need to remove the flow restrictor though I am adding a photo showing what it looks like

Inside the back of the head you will see a black O ring. That is the restrictor. You can remove just this and then have the option of re-installing it later or completely remove all the white plastic inside for maximum flow but no option to restrict it again later

Wish Handyman had removed the flow restrictor before I had it installed. He said it had already been removed but it doesn't feel like it. But it still feels way better than the cheap showerhead I had before. I wonder if I can remove the flow restrictor and then if I don't like it put it back on.

Great quality shower head. Twice the weight as the head it replaces. I removed the reducer because of all of the reviews. I live in a city with normal water pressure. I thought my water pressure was super low so I wanted maximum flow out of a head. The new Speakman head is super high flow with out a steady clean stream. Feels like I'm getting drenched with a fire hose. My wife doesn't like it because she can't take a shower without getting her hair wet. She doesn't wash her hair daily. Can't take the reducer out without damaging it. Soooo it's in our spare bathroom. We had to buy a different shower head that had a clean smooth stream.

Just got this delivered; initial commentary at this time: Customer support IS pleasant to work with, but don't plan on them helping you in removing any flow restrictors---they now tell you that they are not allowed to do so. Instructions for removal of flow restrictors are NOT on their website. Also noteworthy, and NOT commented upon in the product brochure that comes with the shower head, is that the head does NOT swivel when you take it out of the box. Customer support reassured me that the head will swivel after exposed to hot water (expansion, I assume). I'll try it tonight. If flow is a problem, I'll be faced with the dilemma of removing the flow restrictors and losing my warranty verses just sending back to Amazon. The 4 stars may climb....or fall. honest manFollowup commentary: Even with our relatively modest city water pressure, the flow is fine and the spray fairly invigorating. Is it fantastic? No, but pretty darned good. 4 stars it remains. honest man

I've had 4 of these Speakman heads. When this one arrived, I was concerned because it seemed clear that this model had been updated to prevent users from unscrewing the ball joint and removing the flow restrictor. The older heads had 2 flat sides on the screw joint to facilitate taking the head apart to clean (or remove the flow restrictor). This one does not. I did not want the head if I couldn't take out the restrictor and was concerned about merely punching the plastic restrictor down inside and then pulling it back out the supply end.Finally, I gave in to temptation and took a pair of narrow needle nose pliers and punched the plastic flow restrictor down into the head. Then turned the head upside down, grabbed the loose plastic piece with the pliers and pulled it out. It was very easy - took maybe 30 seconds.Once installed (without the flow restrictor), it was everything I'd hoped for. Only gave four stars because eventually I will need to take it apart to clean and I'm not sure how that's going to go.

I do like this brass shower head a lot, but it's a little too forceful if you have high water pressure. Also, the spray pattern isn't as good as the MUCH CHEAPER S-2005-HB. I have various models of Speakman shower heads in all my houses and I think the S-2005-HB is the best because it sprays fuller than the rest and doesn't create a mist around the spray like this one does.

This shower head (and several mfg with this design) needs to be mounted very high up / far away. With a typical shower head mounting at 6', the spray is a bit narrow. Don't expect any fancy spray patterns like massage, however the spray is excellent. It is built like a tank and should last forever. If your H2O conservative, keep looking.

After reading all the reviews, I thought this would be the greatest thing since sliced bread. It is not. Even with the water saver removed, it does not spray very hard. The water pressure in my house is great, so it's got to be the showerhead. Next time I will buy one at Home Depot for $20 bucks.

Disappointed. My old one, as I recall, seemed to have a thicker/heavier water spray if that makes sense. Certainly not high pressure either. Returned.

Nice showerhead, but doesn't really give you more pressure as advertised, even after removing inside ring.

After five or six attempts at a quality shower head that doesn't quickly mineral block, this one is a winner. It flows a good deal of water and it does so with a lot of force. No soapy film after a shower and a a good range of adjustment for pattern. Installation is easy and there is no maintenance required.Update: 18 months after installation water gushes out between spray control handle and shower head. Bad seal I guess, but not repairable. A little too expensive for such a short life.

This showerhead is familiar to me. I bought two in 2013. At the time, I was assured by the regional representative that they were manufactured at the Speakman plant in Delaware. When they arrived, the packaging said, "Made in China". I called the company and was reassured they were made in the USA. I bought one in 2014, without asking about the origin. When it arrived, both the showerhead and the packaging said "Made in China". This is a disappointment. The function is OK. I called Speakman this year to request a special wrench required to disassemble the showerhead to remove the flow restrictor. The company representative was very accommodating and immediately sent me the wrench. I do worry a little about how to replace the plastic nozzles if they become clogged. Even with the back end of the showerhead removed, It does not appear possible to remove the nozzles.It's an OK showerhead, but it should be made in the USA. Good luck in finding a US-made one.

This seems to be very well made, heavy and would last a while, but the water pressure is terrible compared to my old shower head. I am returning this thing.

Really overpriced. It looks okay but it is not the same quality anymore. You also cannot remove the water-restrictor so accept a mediocre water-pressure.

If you're looking for a shower head with high pressure this isn't the one. It's average at best. Takes forever to rinse shampoo out of my hair. You can get something just as good for $20 from Walmart.

The product feels heavy duty and well made. However, the water flow pattern was completely chaotic. It was either take a shower with my eyes close or blink the entire time because of "run away" water streams hitting them. I bought a Delta for half the price at Bed Bath and Beyond and the flow was not only stronger but I can actually keep my eyes open. .

Not that impressed. Bought a Delta 58480-PK also to compare to and that was wayyyy easier to remove the water restricter and had nice pressure and settings.The instructions on Speakman's website seem wrong as its much harder to remove the restricter maybe on the current model than previous years maybe (I saw other people using a drill or wine cork remover to pry it out on amazon... but I didn't want to damage the showerhead in case I wanted to return it).

I bought this after using an older model in a friend's shower and was very disappointed at how weak the new one is compared to its predecessor. The showerhead is heavy and well-constructed, but even with the 0-ring removed, the water flows like rain, an earnest dribble rather than like a genuine, forceful, invigorating shower. The cheap, plastic showerhead this was meant to replace produces much better pressure. I really, really wanted this to work, but I'm afraid I'll be returning it. What a disappointment!

I purchased this shower head purposely for the purposes of "High Pressure" as it titled in it's name. Sadly, this showerhead DID NOT deliver. I had hoped due to it's long standing quality Speakman name it would be the BEST, however I am a disappointed buyer.

Piece of junk came with an out of round threaded connector, looked dented but tried it anyway, leaks no matter how much teflon tape I use, will return ASAP. Unfortunately it was a Christmas present that I installed for my mother. That was embarrassing.

Nothing like the old Speakman shower heads. They try so hard to conserve water with this unit that the quality of the shower is rotten. Even when you drill out the water reduction stop it just does not give you a decent shower. Save your money or learn how to shower with sand.

This item is overhyped and overpriced. I installed it with the old shower arm. I installed it with a new shower arm. I used single layer Teflon tape. I used double layer Teflon tape. I tightened. I retightened. I hated it. I could only get two spray patterns from the head (not the three advertised), but no matter how well I installed it and reinstalled it this thing just leaks like a two dollar faucet. It probably would benefit from a two cent rubber washer, but for the cost of the faucet it should include one, if that were needed. I bought it to replace the original Hans Grohe shower head that started leaking after 8 years. That head leaked from the body - not the fitting at the shower head. It didn't have a rubber wash, but still didn't leak at he wall fitting. I bought a Moen this evening (since was tired of waiting on a shower head to arrive by UPS and have to now send one back by UPS), and it works perfectly. It costs less than half of this Speakman.

I bought two of these. Both broke. I have normal water pressure in my house (65 psi). The black inserts (round plastic adjustment flow nozzles) break off easily for no reason. Two of them fell out the other day under normal water pressure. Speakman has horrible customer service. Thank goodness for Amazon where returns are easy. Beware - these products are cheaply made and are expensive. Two of them should not have had the same issue. Buy at your own risk.

I was disappointed in this product. Now that Speakman is using plastic parts for the jets, the spray is diffuse and not at all what their previous version was. I would not recommend it to anyone.