What chair to replace an Aeron?

[Moby-Dick]

Thankfully you can pick up 2nd hand ones for about a third of that price

[wombar]

I was going to reply to this thread in 2007 but I only got as far as the first few lines, I do not remember too much about things after that except I was commited to a "Health Spa" for rest & relaxation. After years of regression therapy and hypnotism, not forgetting the electroconvulsive therapy! my Psychiatrist now thinks I am ready to confront the cause of my "episodes", so here goes!

Nine hundred quid, for a F~*#/ chair!!!!!!!!!! are you off your rocker?
Where's my valium quickly?

Haha, that was pretty much the response I got from a lot of people However, I work from home and I regularly spend 12-15 hours a day in my chair. As far as I'm concerned it's a tool of my trade, so no different to a builder spending £800 on power tools. They could go down B&Q and get a power drill for £20, but they don't (well the good ones don't anyway).

It also directly affects my health and well being, so isn't something I am willing to skimp on. Being self employed means I have to look after myself, because I don't get paid if I'm lying in bed with a bad back.

[SeveBC]

With all this chat about chairs nobody mentioned the extremely important usage rating. For studio use you really need a 24 hour rating to remain effectively supported for long sessions.

N.B. I have absolutely no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned below.

I purchased a KAB ACS EXEC from JP Office Furniture in Leeds (along with some other office furniture) which is 24 hour rated and is fantastically supportive and extremely well put together. Virtually silent running (except when you press the air support system buttons). I chose black leather which has proven to be a fortuitous choice as a section of plaster ceiling collapsed dumping black lime motar and soot-like dust which simply washed off the leather.

The ACS model features an "adjustable air support system in all cushions, Backrest angle adjustment to 16 degrees , Air lumbar support ,Tip-up armrests , Contoured cushions Seat tilt , Seat tilt tension adjuster , Height adjustment 100mm (gas assisted) 5 star base , Double wheel castors , Robust steel frame. Comfort headrest (height & tilt adjustable) Available in Interface Xtreme Fabric, also available in Leather at an additional cost."

KAB is a UK company and provides high quality lorry seats to similar designs. I am extremely happy with my rather expensive purchase as I am over 17st and 6'1" with back problems from a car crash. The KAB ACS EXEC is orthopaedically excellent and the adjustable air support system in all cushions enables fine tuning as the day wears on; when what at first seemed ideal has either become too hard or not supportive enough. In Scotland Workplace Office Furniture are also major KAB stockists and offered excellent advice and good discounts.

[Marcos]

and how much was that chair?

[pollaxe]

Thankfully you can pick up 2nd hand ones for about a third of that price

Which is exactly my plan at present!

[SeveBC]

and how much was that chair?

There's a saying about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing!

I went through the process of first looking at kneeling office chairs which ranged up to around ~£550. However the hourly usage rating issue quickly became particularly important in addition to the chair being orthopaedically and ergonomically excellent. I sat in a KAB controller chair at a local office supplier but I baulked at the list price. I set-up a spreadsheet of which cost was only one factor, 24hr rating, ergonomic adjustability features, longevity, local or national supplier (I preferred using a local company), UK product or not, cover materials available, durable five star base, quiet operation for recording etc.

I listed suppliers of the KAB chairs so if anyone was really interested they could google or contact the companies I listed via their websites. As I purchased the chair in black leather it was HOW MUCH!!! Just like a Mytek 8x192, API 3124m+, Grado GS1000 or many other high quality pieces of kit I've purchased. I drive a cheap but reliable car though.

Whether purchasing for my recording biz or others I try to set a budget and research available options. This research may lead to a revision of the budget, often upwards. For example I decided on Sonnet for data backup (I evaluated ProAvio, G-Tech, Glyph, WieberTech) and purchased a low use Fusion D500P from ebay (saving 41%) but need to purchase a Sonnet Tempo SATA PRO Express34 card at ~£230 as the standard Tempo SATA Express34 ~£90 is no longer recommended for systems with >2GB RAM.

However, from my ivory tower I am constantly perplexed by people who baulk at capital expenditure but happily go out caning it most weekends, smoke fags, weed etc. I gave up all that years ago (the fags 6.5 yrs) and curbed my lifestyle to invest in my personal business and recuperate my back.

Compare KAB chairs £500-£980 to Recaro equivalents (with less adjustability) at ~£1500. Both are used in long distance lorries and 24hr installations for a reason. I opted for leather because I didn't want to lose the chair after 4-6 years for recovering plus I edit and record in all states of dress and undress. As my personal chair I opted to pay more in the short term for longer term usage and comfort. I also shaved the spend on furniture to balance the increased cost of the chair; which I hope to last at least 15 years of heavy but careful usage. Compare that to your current or next computer system.

It's all relative. I obtained a 25% discount from list price from a local supplier who loaned me a temporary chair (my previous chair suffered a stress fracture collapse with me on it) and installed the furniture and ACS chair which is exceptionally comfortable and fully adjustable with its inflatable / deflatable orthopaedic supports. Hopefully whatever chairs people chose will serve them as well as the model I chose for myself.

[Clunk]

There's a saying about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing!

What is it?

[Spacelord]

Hey Wombar, just been researching the Kinnarps 9000 chair and came across this thread.

I too have previously purchased and Aeron and not happy with the comfort of it, i find the seat to hard. So how do you find the Kinnarps seat pan ? Can you sit in it longer than the Aeron ?

I noticed theres 3 versions I think.
Ones the standard spring seat, then there's the sport version with more springs and then there's the Advanced space age which is memory foam.

[wombar]

Hi Spacelord,

First of all, welcome to Hexus, it's a great place

If you found the Aeron too hard, I would definitely recommend you go and sit in a 9000 if possible. The 9000 isn't vastly more comfortable at first sitting, but the sheer number of adjustments mean you can get a seat position that suits you. Also, don't write off the other Kinnarps models because I also own a 6000 and 8000, both of which are great chairs, and equally as comfortable as the 9000.

For me, the 9000 (and the whole Kinnarps range in fact) is about getting a great, comfortable, ergonomic position that lets you sit comfortably all day. The real test of a chair is how you feel when you get out of it after a days work. The aeron always left me aching ( particularly the back of my legs ) whilst the Kinnarps doesn't.

If you have any more questions, let me know

[Spacelord]

I'd want to try one out but the closest reseller is 1300km away, so next time I'm down that way I'll try them out.
The main reason I was focusing on the 9000 is a reseller told me the headrest works correctly with it.
On the other chairs it sticks out to far and pushes your head forward.

Any idea which seat pan you have ?

Thanks

[wombar]

Sorry, I don't know what seat I have. I'm in New Zealand at the moment so my chair is about 10,000 miles away and I can't pop home to check at the moment

If you're going to get a headrest, make sure you have a good sit in a chair with one for longer than a few minutes. I have headrests on both my 6000 and 8000 and one works well, the other not so much. One of them just sticks out a little too far for my tastes, though is still okay. I suspect you know what I'm talking about as you have mentioned it.

[xavk]

I have a 9000 (thanks to the reviews here on Hexus) and I can confirm that the headrest is great. It can be adjusted both up and down and in and out meaning you can get it in exactly the right place to support your head. One of the best things about the 9000 imo.

[Spacelord]

xavk thanks for clarifying the head rest, I still haven't found a place close enough to try then out.
Did you get the chance to try out the different seat pans ?

[DoubleTop]

I've been looking to replace the wheels on my steelcase please as I've had it a while and it's starting to hurt the wooden floor. I've picked up some rubber wheels that are wooden floor friendly. I always tend to go for second hand from barkham office furniture, but after reading though this rather than another Steelcase please, I might ask them about the Kinnarp. I know they get the aerons in stock pretty regularly and I've used one for the odd day on-sites. They look fantastic, but I think the comfort is very subjective to the build of the person using the chair. They just didn't work for me (15stone, 6foot5).

I think a lot of companies just don't take into account that the office furniture quality has a massive impact on productivity. That and the strength of coffee available

DT.

[DoubleTop]

For me, the 9000 (and the whole Kinnarps range in fact) is about getting a great, comfortable, ergonomic position that lets you sit comfortably all day. The real test of a chair is how you feel when you get out of it after a days work. The aeron always left me aching ( particularly the back of my legs ) whilst the Kinnarps doesn't.

If you have any more questions, let me know

Wombar, I've a Steelcase please at home as I said, and these chairs in the new office are pretty cheap and doing me in. I'm prepared to pay for my comfort and being tall, it can only help in the long run. Having worked a few days at home this week, 15minutes before home time sat in the office all day today and I can feel it.
You mention the kinnarps 6000, and my local guys who I've been to before have them in 'stock'. Is this one the one you have and rate? Is there anything I need to look for if I drive over to see Martin and try it out. As a user of one, I'd trust you ratings.

Many thanks, and you'll regret posting the "any questions just ask me"

DT.

[Disturbedguy]

Again what luck.
I am looking for a new chair, it cant be anything to big due to the limited space I have but it also cant be too small as I am quite tall.

Would anyone happen to have any suggestions?

Would have to be comfortable and would prefer arm rests if possible.