Gamut Lobster Chair

I took the plunge! Gamut Lobster chair has finally arrived and is with my dealer. Will be trying it out next week. Is it going to be good or will it turn out to be an expensive mistake? Honestly don't know. But will certainly report my experience soon. Fingers crossed! 

I am happy to report that I have had the Gamut Lobster chair for a month now. Siting in it the first time was a surprise / shock as it was so incredibly different from the plush IMG recliner that I had previously. The chair has much less padding and I got used to it over the next few days. I find the chair to be very comfortable now and any fears of back pains have receded away.

Does it make a difference sound wise? Yes it does, at least to the ears of those that have come to try it out. Quoting my system page " The sound (in particular the sound stage and clarity of instruments) seems to have improved, as far as my ears are concerned that is :-) What an absolute relief! "

Here’s the link if you want to visit and have a look see:- https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9619#&gid=1&pid=3

While reviews are scarce, the lobster chair has reviewed very well from a comfort and listening perspective. See here: https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/impressions-the-gamut-lobster/

 In relation to the headrest, this is the relevant extract from the review:

"Nor was the headrest neglected. Indeed, in many ways its design was key to getting audiophile-level performance out of the chair. As GamuT notes in its Lobster Chair product literature, "Normally you can't have a neck rest while listening to music, because you get a reflection from the material behind your ears, distorting the sound. But GamuT has created a unique acoustical damping material, resulting in an extremely effective sound treatment, while maintaining the Lobster Chair's breathtaking beautiful design and comfort. Furthermore the shape of the wide headrest also prevents reflections from [the] wall behind the listener [from] affect[ing] the soundstage, which eliminates the need for sound treatment behind the listener." In other words, there is no leather in the neck and head zone, but rather a fabric that acts to properly dampen the potential acoustical reflections in that area.

I can tell you quite categorically that it works extremely well."

What do you think?
 

@millercarbon 

Not that there aren't good reasons to study the lobster.

 

Fascinating!
 

@tablejockey thanks for the tube rolling suggestions. It has gone on my list of things to try out. Current have tried out only the EL34 and the KT150.

As for aural embellishment, yes I do notice that when I put my hands behind my head, the clarity of the sound increases and the instruments become more distinct. Cupping your ears has an even greater impact. Being a relative newbie, is this to be avoided from an audiophile perspective, or is it "whatever works for you" ? I have also read that the best seating for listening to music should be without a head rest as headrests reflect sound. Not sure whether this is true as the majority of the feedback has been from those that have chairs with headrests!

On that score I understand that the Lobster Chair claims that it negates the feedback by absorbing the sound. Thus the question to the forum. 

Thanks for the input @tablejockey ​​​​​​

@tim_p thanks for the input! Any idea about its suitability as a listening chair?

And for the rest of the sea denizen humor, LOL. Keep it flowing guys ;-) 

@sbridges777 Many thanks for the input and letting me know of your thoughts on the Lobster and Ekornes chairs. This is helpful.👍

Many thanks @tim_p for the helpful input. I find the same thing happening to me in my current chair, i.e. for passing out in LOL. However, your input about the chair being a nice listening chair keeps it in contention in my mind.

Interesting input @bslon . It never occurred to me that swiveling a chair can assist one to balance the sound being directed to your ears. Thanks!

I tried the Eames chair a few days ago. While it is reasonably comfortable, when seated, my ears are 4 inches lower than the tweeters of my speakers. Would it be better if the tweeters and my ears are at the same height? 

Thanks for the constuctive input @audioquest4life .

I wonder whether I can seek your input on another point, i.e. I currently use a highback chair and while the sound is good (to my heairng), it seems to be even better (i.e. better separation and clarity of instrumentation) when I cup my ears. Why is that? 

Appreciate your feedback.