Comments on: Impressions: The GamuT Lobster Chair for Audiophiles

By: Impressions Robinson Brutus Awards 2017 Part Second

Impressions Robinson Brutus Awards 2017 Part Second — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 00:30:28 +0000

[…] Here's a truly unique product that I reviewed this year, back in Issue 93. […]

By: Priaptor

Priaptor — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 15:52:00 +0000

In reply to Benno Baun Meldgaard. I am sure that JUST like every other "component" that a reviewer wants to buy, they get it a price that no other human would pay. Benno, also, you don't address my criticisms and/or concerns in terms of headrest height, swivel, reclining without a lockstep, adjust-ability of height of the chair, etc. The chair looks incredibly comfortable and you are right I haven't tried it I reiterate, the design makes no sense to me. Hey, but good luck and I am glad it is giving others pleasure as that is what this hobby is all about, no?

By: David W. Robinson

David W. Robinson — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 20:55:00 +0000

In reply to Benno Baun Meldgaard. I agree, Benno. The Lobster Chair is a marvel; I consider it to be essential in our listening room now. Naturally, if you can't afford it, you can't afford it...simple enough. But don't fault the GamuT Lobster Chair based upon its price point alone; there is much in the world of high-end audio that is expensive. All valuation is relative to individual income and resources, which is why "Is it worth it?" is a question that I never attempt to answer for our readers.

By: Benno Baun Meldgaard

Benno Baun Meldgaard — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 10:56:00 +0000

In reply to Priaptor.

If you took your time to - not only read the review - but also understand it, you would realize that all of the things needed for an audiophile listening chair actually has been given consideration and is implemented into the design.

Reflexions from the headrest has been removed, the curve on the headrest also prevents reflections from the wall(s) behind the listening position to reach your ears.

Did I mention that the standard version of the Lobster chair is available in a few select design furniture stores - and has been for several decades - retailing for - you never guess it: 5000,- USD. (As well as the ottoman)

All we did was optimize the acoustical parts of the original Lobster chair, and kept it at the normal retail price, which - by the way - is quite low, when compared to other famous danish design chairs.

I encurage everyone to give the chair a listen, before concluding (wrongfully) on it! The fact of the matter is, that every single reviewer who has reviewed the chair ended up buying it. I can assure you, you will have a hard time finding a cable out there, capable of delivering an improvent in your system as big as this product!

Best wishes

Benno Baun Meldgaard
Gamut

By: Priaptor

Priaptor — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 15:05:00 +0000

To me this chair makes no sense; those who like it enjoy and am not denigrating either the design or your choice.

We looked at production of an audiophile chair and exclusive of materials, our short research concluded that the chair should NOT extend to or above the ears. The chair should NOT be swivel. The chair should be stationary and NOT lean back. It also has to have the ability to adjust height as well as the angle of the back.

I have no issue with having an audiophile chair that is adjustable and for those occasions when one just wants to chill to be able to lean back with a pedestal BUT just understand, speakers, are designed with location of the listeners ears in mind and in fact, companies such as Wilson take this to such extremes that they allow for adjustments of drivers specific to the listeners positions with millimeter adjustments to their drivers. People can laugh about an "audiophile" chair all they want BUT it is probably the most overlooked part of the equation in the audiophile room. People will pay tons of money for equipment, DSP and/or room treatment and then sit in a 14" high plush couch, with height of the ears way below the height intended by the manufacturer; this is but one iteration but it can go in either direction. Same for the angle of one's ears. It is not uncommon for people to set up speakers for hours/days/months and sometimes years with or without DSP with microphones, etc and then ignore it all by how and where they sit

The Lobster Chair falls short in my opinion.

By: Darryl Lindberg

Darryl Lindberg — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 15:55:00 +0000

I tried the Lobster in Gamut's excellent sounding room at the 2015 RMAF and found it just didn't fit my physique; to put it less diplomatically, I found it pretty darn uncomfortable and too low for my taste. In case you're wondering if I'm abnormally proportioned, I'm about 6'2", weigh 175 pounds, and have the usual complement of appendages (no claws). So I think I represent a fairly broad spectrum of humanity--anatomically at least. The bottom line is that if you're interested Gamut's crustacean seating I'd recommend you do a butt parking test before laying down the green, just as you would demo any other audio component. There is a plethora of potential listening chairs out there, but your body--along with your notion of "comfort"--is unique. Like David, you may find the Lobster's the perfect fit. Or, if your listening chair requirements are in any way similar to mine, you may want to leave it off your menu.

By: PositiveFeedbackDiscussions

PositiveFeedbackDiscussions — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 17:30:00 +0000

As with all things in audio, and life for that matter, the value or acceptance of the purchase price is up to the individual. Whether or not a product is perceived as being priced appropriately or fairly is open to discussion along with the realization of production costs.
Is the Lobster Chair worth $4990 and is it priced appropriately? As to worth, only you can decide that, but as to appropriately... well as someone who builds "art" furniture let me say this. In selling a table I had made for say $200 (mind you this is 30 years ago, so inflation will step in here) to a Trade Only dealer who then sells it to a designer for $400, who then sells it to a customer for $800, well my $200 table is now going for $800. Does the end purchaser (home owner) know this? Do they care? They place value or worth on the table and they buy it. Am I making an acceptable profit for my time, talent, and materials? Maybe, no, yes.
Okay so lets look at the the Lobster Chair. Make it $5000 retail even for sake of easier math. What are the costs to the manufacturer? In this case, not Gamut, but Kvist. Reasonable expectations would be an easy $500 for such a chair that is no doubt being produced in small numbers, though reality could be double that at $1000 per chair. What does Kvist want for the chair to make a profit? Using the typical 4 times production costs, they sell it to Gamut for at least $2000 to cover overhead and whatnot. Gamut then wants to make something from the chair, so they price it to the dealers at twice that, $4000. The dealers then need to get their costs back and make a profit, so retail is set for $5000. No one is doing this for free.
I am only speculating here with the costs and dollar numbers based on my own experiences, but it is $5000 for a what many would consider a work of art. I really do not think Gamut is gouging anyone on the chair, though in the end, the public will decide if the chair is worth the $5000 by the number being sold. Besides, how many of the Lobster Chairs are ever going to be made? 10, 20, 30... all of which will determine the value and price.
My current tables (now 30 years later) are selling for considerably more than the $200 back when I started ($600 to $900 now). I am no longer going through the trade, but if I were they would be priced to the end user at $2600 to $3600. So that makes them a steal now? I dunno.
As to purchasing a chair from a major manufacture, we are now talking about economy of scale. drclark

By: Mark in St Paul

Mark in St Paul — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 23:28:00 +0000

Eight grand! Are you crazy???

I use the leather Ikea Poang for inside music listening, which provides supreme comfort at a fraction of the cost. I originally had the ottoman but found it mostly promoted sleep so got rid of it. Feet on the floor for me - just like at a concert hall.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99181493/

But my best listening experience actually comes with headphones on my outdoor deck, where I sit in a Homecrest spring "rocking" chair. It really allows you to move to the music. Again no ottoman.
http://www.homecrest.com/products/chairs.aspx?id=2054

By: Eric Lubow

Eric Lubow — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 17:47:00 +0000

I'm sure this is the best and most complete review this chair will ever get. If fact, Gamut should create a brochure from it. But almost $8000 for a chair and ottoman? I don't care if the chair makes you feel you are sitting in the middle of the orchestra with the most exquisite sound panorama ever experienced. This is one of those boutique products that cater to a very specialized clientele with unlimited financial resources. I recently bought an Ekornes recliner and ottoman for $1800 and it even has ARMRESTS! And it is supremely comfortable. Sorry, but to me, this fits in the category of $10,000 a foot cables.