Eames Chair - any good copies out there?

Hey an Eames chair counts as audio hardware to me. You have to sit in something, right? So are there any good copies out there that are worth my consideration? I don't have the budget for the real thing right now.

I found this:

http://www.modernindesigns.com/mid-...tct0mZNzOLge6evW2A_zfLiX6LMcwqoEsYaAg0R8P8HAQ

 

Rove concepts

 

That looks like a well copied knockoff.
The ones from the 80s rarely bothered to get the legs right.Most werent even leather.
A bad vintaqe copy could cost almost that much in a vintage store.

 

I have ordered a couple over the last few years. The "bad" knock offs don't get the chair width correct ( they make them too wide-same width as the ottoman) and the arm rest connection to the wood frame is very flimsy. I had to throw one away because it arrived with 2 broken arm rests. The better ones seem very similar to the authentic product.

 

Rove is closest to the real deal but at the prices they are asking for a replica it's almost better to either save for a real one or find a real one used on craigslist. IMO.

 

I've got a Rove Eames' lounger knockoff and it is very nice. I have ordered a good bit from them and have not been disappointed yet.

 

At least once a year Herman Miller has a sale. During a sale I got an Eames chair from an online place for not a lot more than a copy. Before I bought it I had a good looking copy and while it looked like the real thing it wasn't very comfortable. I don't know if it was the way it was made or because of the person who had it before me.

Looking now at the prices I guess I paid a lot more for the real thing then a copy. At least I got the Palisander for the price of the walnut during the sale.

Chad

 

Rove don't make cheap knockoffs. They are quite good.

 

Don't bother with an Eames repress. Severely lacking in the back support to fully resolve spatial cues and macro dynamics. I'd take a VG OG Eames any day over a digital CAD knock off.

 

So you would not recommend going with something like this?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/fud/5175229303.html

Or one of these:

http://www.midcenturymonger.com/collections/living-chairs

 

I absolutely do not reccomended going with either of those. You will be unable to distinguish between entry level VG++ and strong VG++, thus diminishing the value of your collection.

 

My suggestion is to go check out the chair options in person.

The Herman Miller "official" chairs have different feeling leather and cushions (at least to me) and the build quality was much higher. I looked at a bunch of options - certainly not all! - and prefer the Herman Miller version.

 

I've only used the original version. Watch out for the headrest. May not be audiophile approved.

 

In all seriousness I would avoid a chair that reflects so much from right behind the listener's head. I own a Herman Miller Eames, fwiw.

 

A little different design, but still quite comfortable at a reasonable cost.

http://www.wayfair.com/Mac-Motion-O...FzP8dE5NcYZV9m2PAqsI65KByGjfdb_HaAaAqpw8P8HAQ

 

Maybe consider an LCW instead? It takes care of the "reflections from behind the listeners head" problem, is nearly as comfortable, looks just as good, and has a much smaller footprint.

I use an LCW as my primary listening chair, and it's super comfortable even for longer listening sessions.

 

I'm playing the waiting game on mine. Friend of the family is moving in the near future to a much small place. Said I can have her original Eames for free when she moves. Sweet!

 

I have this.
http://www.amazon.com/LexMod-Lounge-Chair-Leather-Palisander/dp/B0041HFWOC

The only thing I'd change is the padding they use, it isn't as plush as an original, it feels flat or like memory foam... but it has the same (close?) proportions and I have no desire to buy a real one (unless it was an amazing deal)

 

I wonder if that's the one I used to have. It was too uncomfortable to sit in for very long. My Herman Miller Eames on the other hand is very nice for extended periods of time. I've even fallen asleep in it.

Chad

 

I lusted after these for a several years, waited on the sale and saved up for the real deal. Start a dialogue with a dealer and they may give you some discount on top of the sale price.

How tall are you? I am only 5'8", but my ears are clearly above the top of the seat.

I don't think I have ever sat in a LCW, but I do have DCMs and they are nowhere on the same planet as comfy as a lounge chair. The LCW is gorgeous though. It would certainly be good enough to listen to a side of an LP at a time.

 

LCWs are a LOT more comfortable than DCMs. You're right that they're a bit less comfortable than the lounge chairs, but they're still shockingly comfortable even for several hours at a time.

 

I'd like to have one to find out!

 

Whatever you do, make sure to get the matching speakers

 

Wow I didn't even know this chair existed. I am now seriously fascinated! I don't think an Eames would fit in the location I have in mind but this sure would. I want to try one out! Is yours upholstered or simply wood?

 

I already have speakers in this room. A pair of Mirage 290iS with a pair of 90iS for rears (Quadraphonic setup). For stereo listening on the LCW I'd only use the fronts. They're typical MDF covered with black oak vinyl veneer.