Choosing a whole home water softener system can feel overwhelming, especially with high-performing options like the EWS Spectrum and our own ICS-STP on the market. If you're weighing the two, this in-depth comparison breaks down the core differences—so you can make the best choice for your home.
What’s Inside the EWS Spectrum?
The EWS Spectrum features two key technologies:
- Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) for filtering out contaminants.
- Increased Calcite Nucleation (ICN), a proprietary scale-prevention method that appears similar to Template-Assisted Crystallization (TAC)—though EWS hasn’t officially confirmed this, even after direct inquiry.
Where EWS Spectrum Stands Out
-
Longer Media Life
Thanks to its large system size and automatic backwashing, the Spectrum’s carbon media may last longer before needing replacement. -
Claims NSF Compliance
EWS states their GAC meets NSF performance standards, backed by a third-party lab (not NSF itself). While our ICS-STP uses the same grade of GAC, we haven’t paid for separate lab certification. -
Higher Claimed Flow Rate
EWS advertises up to 37 GPM—ideal for very large homes. ICS-STP supports 12 GPM per unit, and for larger needs, we recommend installing two side-by-side (still using less space overall). -
Chloramine Removal
EWS claims their system can remove chloramines, which some municipalities use instead of chlorine. ICS-STP doesn’t currently include chloramine-specific carbon due to limited demand, but we can check if your city uses them and advise accordingly. -
Hardness Capacity
Spectrum is rated up to 30 GPG (grains per gallon) for water hardness; ICS-STP handles up to 25 GPG.
But It Comes With Trade-Offs
Despite some standout features, there are considerable drawbacks to the EWS Spectrum:
💸 High Upfront and Maintenance Costs
- Purchase Price: $3,495
- Installation: $1,200–$3,000+, depending on electrical/drain availability and space
- Replacement Media: $2,737.50 every 10 years
- Backwash Water Waste: ~6,720 gallons per year
- Requires Electricity: 120V power supply
⚙️ Complex Setup
The system needs:
- A dedicated drain (7 GPM capacity)
- Garage floor space for installation
- Noise management for backwashing cycles (which can occur at night)
- Compliance checks if installed in sensitive areas like homes with septic systems
❓ Uncertain Performance of ICN
The ICN process remains a bit of a mystery. EWS declined to confirm if ICN is catalyst-based like TAC, though its similarities are apparent.
Catalytic systems like TAC are known to degrade quickly in the presence of:
- Iron
- Manganese
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Copper
- High chlorine levels
EWS confirmed iron bacteria could pose problems but offered no specifics about ICN's vulnerabilities.
Our ICS-STP, on the other hand, is unaffected by iron, copper, or manganese. For elevated levels of these metals, we offer dedicated cartridges (ICS-SIP) that extend media life and improve performance.
⚠️ No Warranty for Well Water Users
EWS requires a formal consultation and water testing before considering warranty coverage for well water applications.
🔍 Lack of Transparency
We couldn’t find verified reviews for the EWS Spectrum on:
- Google Reviews
- TrustPilot
- Better Business Bureau
- Major online retailers
By contrast, ICS-STP features public, verified customer reviews on Google and Judge.me—we publish every review we receive, no matter the rating.
A Deeper Dive into ICN Tech
A student-led research study at Northern Arizona University tested ICN-based systems and flagged potential performance concerns. Although not peer-reviewed, the research offers additional insight into how ICN stacks up against other known technologies like TAC. We’re currently reviewing this study in depth and have reached out to the supervising professor for further input.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison (10-Year Estimate)
| Year | ICS-STP | EWS Spectrum |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $2,000 | $6,000 |
| 1–9 | $496 | $50 |
| 10 | $496 | $2,737.50 |
| Total (10 yrs) | $6,960 | $9,187.50 |
| Annual Avg | $632.73 | $835.23 |
Final Verdict
The EWS Spectrum promises robust performance and longer media life, but comes with steep costs, opaque documentation, and potential vulnerabilities in scale prevention. Its reliance on backwashing and electrical components introduces operational complexity—and it’s hard to justify the premium without verified reviews or full technical transparency.
By contrast, our ICS-STP:
- Costs significantly less to install and maintain
- Delivers reliable, chemical-free filtration
- Requires no electricity or backwashing
- Has published, verified customer testimonials
- Resists fouling from metals like iron and manganese
Looking for a dependable, low-maintenance system that fits into most homes without the hassle? ICS-STP is the smarter choice.
Have questions about your water or setup? Want help checking if your city uses chloramines? We’re here to help.
