royfrosty
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[Project Throne] Secretlab vs DxRacer vs Generic Chair, get to know what you are paying for
Introduction
Note: This project started out two weeks ago from the day of this post, and it will take a course of additional one month worth of research to complete this project. The aim of this project is to educate the community on gaming chairs and to know better on what the materials are being used in gaming chairs. Also at the end of the day, to provide consumers a rough guide to choose the right chair. So we are here to see a couple of brands out there and how they stack up against each other.
This project will consist of 2 parts.
-Part 1 will consist mainly the physical differences and overall outlook of the chairs. Also providing quotes from other people (visitors/guest) whom came to my house and give their own personal opinions and comments on all the three chairs.
-Part 2 will be dissecting all the chairs to take a deeper look into what are they actually made of.
How this project happened?
During Christmas period in 2015, there is actually some Qoo10 sellers selling generic gaming chair that looks pretty much identical to what Secretlab and DXRacer has to offer. So something came across my mind, and that was to do a research on all three different chairs. To do a benchmark on all the three chairs and to evaluate the materials being used. At the same time to get consumers to know what they are getting and what they are actually paying for.
Few months back, after doing the review of the Secretlab Omega (which can be found here), there were many people whom have asked for a comparisons between what Secretlab and DXRacer. So here I am, doing a research exclusively for HWC/HWZ people.
I went on to purchased the generic chair from Qoo10 with my own money. After which i went around asking my friends if they do own a gaming chair. After looking around and found a friend of mine whom actually have the DXRacer F series and he no longer needs it as he has a newer chair. So for that, a big thanks to you bro!
So here are the contestants. From left to right, the Qoo10 generic chair, DXRacer F Series, and lastly the Omega Classic.
How does this benchmark works?
I will benchmark all the chairs. These chairs are priced at around the same category, between $3xx- $4xx range, and compare it against the Qoo10 generic chair. At the end of it, we will be looking at a features comparison chart. All three Secretlab vs DxRacer vs some generic chair.
To start off, I will be comparing the DXRacer F Series, the Omega and the Qoo10 generic chair.
DXRacer F Series $550 or $470 [Parallel Import]
The DXRacer F Series is the entry level of DXRacer’s offering, but it is slightly more expensive than the Omega (at this point of time of this review). And a lot more expensive versus the V2 Throne that Secretlab has for an entry level. DXRacer have NO (I have to emphasize) official Singapore website. They do have only ONE official retailer selling their line ups, and for that the F Series is being sold at $550. But there are plenty of parallel importers selling the F Series slightly cheaper than the Omega at $470.
To start off, when I first sat on the F series, the first impression that I have gotten was, it resembled the feel of my older V1 Throne from Secretlab. Of cause the F Series came out earlier than the V1 Throne, there were something about this F series that came out slightly better than the V1 Throne that i had previously. The cushion is slightly firmer, and a little tougher than the V1 Throne that i sat on.
However the frame of the chair is definitely different from the V1. The frame is definitely not for bigger frame person like me. Most of the time the frame at the top portion of the back rest are found touching/hugging my shoulder arms. It is definitely designed for smaller frame people.
The arm rest took me by surprised, it ONLY offers height adjustment. There is no way to adjust sideways, or even move inwards or outwards. I found that the arm rest the F Series opted for a soft rubber based materials, which found to be “spongy” feel, it somehow felt comfortable to rest my arms on it.
Moving on to the base of the legs, it is a brushed aluminum base. The legs are definitely sturdy and heavy. The F Series added a plastic feet rest on the tip of the legs, which in my honest opinion, it felt crappy. It is actually uncomfortable to rest my feet on it. Its hard and totally not comfortable. They should have opted for a rubber base material instead of plastic.
A closer look on the plastic feet rest.
Now the unique thing about DXRacer chairs have in common is the reclining mechanism. It is able to recline all the way to the back of “almost” 180deg. Is it a good thing? Well somehow, it isn’t that good for my backbone, most of the time the centre of the chair meets the tail of my backbone. And it is somehow pushing against my backbone, making me having an arc on my backbone. Which can be quite painful after a period of time lying down.
Hydraulics were fine, according to DXRacer’s webpage, they are using the 4 star Hydraulics “a term used by them” which is actually a Class 4 Hydraulics.
Now to the base cushion of the chair. It is somewhat firmer and also somewhat tougher. But however, although it is tougher and firmer, I find it uncomfortable after a period of time. I guess it may not suite me, but I guess that it is more of a personal preferences, and I am sure that there are people whom actually will appreciate it more than me. Rest assure, it is definitely build to last. The foam used, is far from being out of shape or would sink in any time soon.
Lastly the tilting mechanism is a basic one that is similar to any generic PC chair and the imitation Qoo10 gaming chair. Overall the DXRacer F Series no doubt is very well balanced.
Secretlab Omega $499
The Omega is a chair out of the league when compared to those two chairs. Considering that it is classified under a premium category of what Secretlab has offered. It has more functions than what the other two chairs has to offer.
When i first gotten the Omega, it weighs like a tank. The Omega feels solid as it is. It is a lot more sturdier and also the overall stability of the Omega is superb.
It is designed for people with bigger frame. It has this wide seat frame that allows bigger frame users to sit comfortably.
Another thing i have to stress about is the tilting mechanism found in the Omega. It is so smooth that tilting it is easy and without needing to recline and lock in any position as well.
Just a recap, the Omega has a tilt lock mechanism on the left side. Unlike the other two, it is just a generic tilt lock. Which is not as easy to lock than the Omega.
The arm rest Secretlab have implemented a new feature known as the 4Directional (4D) arm rest, it was also found to have a much larger base than the other two. It is made of rubber, but this time round it’s a little tougher than the other two. So it is not as comfortable as the other two but I enjoyed the larger arm rest. Overall it is able to tilt left and right, move forward and backward, shift left or right, lastly up or down.
Moving to the base of the legs, it is made of aluminium, this is probably the first chair that Secretlab have implemented in their current new line up together with the V2 Throne. Back then the V1 was made of plastic frame. It has improved a lot, it is a lot more heavier and also a lot more sturdier. Although the Omega did not come with an extra feet rest, as it is being aluminium, it felt cool and comfortable on my feet and somehow the feeling of resting my feet on it is a lot more comfortable than the DXRacer F Series. I find myself an addict resting my feet on it.
The reclining back rest won’t go as low as the DXRacer F Series, but it is definitely enough,. I did rest on the Omega after a period of long hours gaming. And the back rest did not push my backbone upwards as compared to the DXRacer F Series, it is probably due to Omega was not able to recline as much as the DXRacer F Series. So for that i consider a plus for comfort.
Hydraulics, just like the DXRacer F Series, are equipped with Class 4 Hydraulics.
And lastly the cushion base of the chair, the cushion found on the Omega is far much more thicker and firmer than the other two. Even the back rest is a whole thick foam by itself.
Introduction
Note: This project started out two weeks ago from the day of this post, and it will take a course of additional one month worth of research to complete this project. The aim of this project is to educate the community on gaming chairs and to know better on what the materials are being used in gaming chairs. Also at the end of the day, to provide consumers a rough guide to choose the right chair. So we are here to see a couple of brands out there and how they stack up against each other.
This project will consist of 2 parts.
-Part 1 will consist mainly the physical differences and overall outlook of the chairs. Also providing quotes from other people (visitors/guest) whom came to my house and give their own personal opinions and comments on all the three chairs.
-Part 2 will be dissecting all the chairs to take a deeper look into what are they actually made of.
How this project happened?
During Christmas period in 2015, there is actually some Qoo10 sellers selling generic gaming chair that looks pretty much identical to what Secretlab and DXRacer has to offer. So something came across my mind, and that was to do a research on all three different chairs. To do a benchmark on all the three chairs and to evaluate the materials being used. At the same time to get consumers to know what they are getting and what they are actually paying for.
Few months back, after doing the review of the Secretlab Omega (which can be found here), there were many people whom have asked for a comparisons between what Secretlab and DXRacer. So here I am, doing a research exclusively for HWC/HWZ people.
I went on to purchased the generic chair from Qoo10 with my own money. After which i went around asking my friends if they do own a gaming chair. After looking around and found a friend of mine whom actually have the DXRacer F series and he no longer needs it as he has a newer chair. So for that, a big thanks to you bro!
So here are the contestants. From left to right, the Qoo10 generic chair, DXRacer F Series, and lastly the Omega Classic.
How does this benchmark works?
I will benchmark all the chairs. These chairs are priced at around the same category, between $3xx- $4xx range, and compare it against the Qoo10 generic chair. At the end of it, we will be looking at a features comparison chart. All three Secretlab vs DxRacer vs some generic chair.
To start off, I will be comparing the DXRacer F Series, the Omega and the Qoo10 generic chair.
DXRacer F Series $550 or $470 [Parallel Import]
The DXRacer F Series is the entry level of DXRacer’s offering, but it is slightly more expensive than the Omega (at this point of time of this review). And a lot more expensive versus the V2 Throne that Secretlab has for an entry level. DXRacer have NO (I have to emphasize) official Singapore website. They do have only ONE official retailer selling their line ups, and for that the F Series is being sold at $550. But there are plenty of parallel importers selling the F Series slightly cheaper than the Omega at $470.
To start off, when I first sat on the F series, the first impression that I have gotten was, it resembled the feel of my older V1 Throne from Secretlab. Of cause the F Series came out earlier than the V1 Throne, there were something about this F series that came out slightly better than the V1 Throne that i had previously. The cushion is slightly firmer, and a little tougher than the V1 Throne that i sat on.
However the frame of the chair is definitely different from the V1. The frame is definitely not for bigger frame person like me. Most of the time the frame at the top portion of the back rest are found touching/hugging my shoulder arms. It is definitely designed for smaller frame people.
The arm rest took me by surprised, it ONLY offers height adjustment. There is no way to adjust sideways, or even move inwards or outwards. I found that the arm rest the F Series opted for a soft rubber based materials, which found to be “spongy” feel, it somehow felt comfortable to rest my arms on it.
Moving on to the base of the legs, it is a brushed aluminum base. The legs are definitely sturdy and heavy. The F Series added a plastic feet rest on the tip of the legs, which in my honest opinion, it felt crappy. It is actually uncomfortable to rest my feet on it. Its hard and totally not comfortable. They should have opted for a rubber base material instead of plastic.
A closer look on the plastic feet rest.
Now the unique thing about DXRacer chairs have in common is the reclining mechanism. It is able to recline all the way to the back of “almost” 180deg. Is it a good thing? Well somehow, it isn’t that good for my backbone, most of the time the centre of the chair meets the tail of my backbone. And it is somehow pushing against my backbone, making me having an arc on my backbone. Which can be quite painful after a period of time lying down.
Hydraulics were fine, according to DXRacer’s webpage, they are using the 4 star Hydraulics “a term used by them” which is actually a Class 4 Hydraulics.
Now to the base cushion of the chair. It is somewhat firmer and also somewhat tougher. But however, although it is tougher and firmer, I find it uncomfortable after a period of time. I guess it may not suite me, but I guess that it is more of a personal preferences, and I am sure that there are people whom actually will appreciate it more than me. Rest assure, it is definitely build to last. The foam used, is far from being out of shape or would sink in any time soon.
Lastly the tilting mechanism is a basic one that is similar to any generic PC chair and the imitation Qoo10 gaming chair. Overall the DXRacer F Series no doubt is very well balanced.
Secretlab Omega $499
The Omega is a chair out of the league when compared to those two chairs. Considering that it is classified under a premium category of what Secretlab has offered. It has more functions than what the other two chairs has to offer.
When i first gotten the Omega, it weighs like a tank. The Omega feels solid as it is. It is a lot more sturdier and also the overall stability of the Omega is superb.
It is designed for people with bigger frame. It has this wide seat frame that allows bigger frame users to sit comfortably.
Another thing i have to stress about is the tilting mechanism found in the Omega. It is so smooth that tilting it is easy and without needing to recline and lock in any position as well.
Just a recap, the Omega has a tilt lock mechanism on the left side. Unlike the other two, it is just a generic tilt lock. Which is not as easy to lock than the Omega.
The arm rest Secretlab have implemented a new feature known as the 4Directional (4D) arm rest, it was also found to have a much larger base than the other two. It is made of rubber, but this time round it’s a little tougher than the other two. So it is not as comfortable as the other two but I enjoyed the larger arm rest. Overall it is able to tilt left and right, move forward and backward, shift left or right, lastly up or down.
Moving to the base of the legs, it is made of aluminium, this is probably the first chair that Secretlab have implemented in their current new line up together with the V2 Throne. Back then the V1 was made of plastic frame. It has improved a lot, it is a lot more heavier and also a lot more sturdier. Although the Omega did not come with an extra feet rest, as it is being aluminium, it felt cool and comfortable on my feet and somehow the feeling of resting my feet on it is a lot more comfortable than the DXRacer F Series. I find myself an addict resting my feet on it.
The reclining back rest won’t go as low as the DXRacer F Series, but it is definitely enough,. I did rest on the Omega after a period of long hours gaming. And the back rest did not push my backbone upwards as compared to the DXRacer F Series, it is probably due to Omega was not able to recline as much as the DXRacer F Series. So for that i consider a plus for comfort.
Hydraulics, just like the DXRacer F Series, are equipped with Class 4 Hydraulics.
And lastly the cushion base of the chair, the cushion found on the Omega is far much more thicker and firmer than the other two. Even the back rest is a whole thick foam by itself.
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